Endodontics/Root Canal Therapy
We offer treatment of diseased nerves and severely damaged teeth through:
Root Canal Therapy
Non-Surgical Endodontic Therapy
Your tooth is a living part of your body containing nerves and requiring blood circulation to continue to be healthy and strong.
Root canal therapy (non-surgical endodontic therapy) is performed to save a tooth when the tissue within the root of the tooth containing the tooth's nerves and blood supply, known as the pulp, is suffering damage or disease. This occurs when bacteria enters into the hollow, innermost area of the tooth, its root canal system, because of trauma to the tooth or due to inflammation that is irreversible because of deep decay. The whole procedure may require a few office visits but can often be completed in one visit.
The Three Basic Steps of Root Canal Therapy
Step 1. Once local anesthetic has taken effect, a rubber dam, a small protective sheet, is placed over the tooth in order to isolate it from saliva and contaminants. Next, a small opening is created in the crown of the tooth to allow access to the root or roots that are receiving therapy. The internal part of the root, the canal, is cleaned, disinfected and shaped with small hand files and with high tech motorized instruments which are virtually soundless. Medication is then placed within the tooth and its opening is temporarily sealed. An antibiotic may be prescribed to prevent infection.
Step 2. After the tooth is determined to be free of infection, a biocompatible material is placed with an adhesive cement into the canal to fill and seal it. This material fills the canal, preventing bacteria from passing through it. A temporary filling may be placed to close the opening in the tooth awaiting the completion of your restoration or a permanent tooth-colored filling or crown may be placed immediately.
Step 3. If a temporary filling is placed and no further problems are encountered, your permanent, natural-looking restoration, generally a crown, will be placed within three to four weeks. Your restored tooth will feel, function and look just like all of your natural, healthy teeth.
Endodontic Surgery
Endodontic surgery can aid in diagnosis when problems with a tooth persist; in treating canal obstructions in which the canal is blocked (calcified); and in allowing treatment of the root surfaces or surrounding bone when there is root or bone damage.
Endodontic microsurgery is a procedure in which our doctors use a highly sophisticated operating microscope in combination with other specialized microsurgical instruments in order to preserve your tooth. The advanced magnification and illumination provided by this microscope greatly increase our doctors' diagnostic capabilities and the precision of their surgical procedures, resulting in enhanced long-term prognosis and reduced post-surgical trauma.
The most frequently performed endodontic surgery procedure is an apicoectomy. Because it is performed under an operating microscope, sometimes the procedure itself is referred to as endodontic microsurgery, although that term also covers other endodontic microsurgery procedures.
Apicoectomy
When infection and inflammation persist after root canal therapy, an apicoectomy becomes necessary. Also known as root end resection, an apicoectomy is a surgical procedure designed to remove infection from the tip of the tooth's root and the tissue surrounding it.
During an apicoectomy, the gum tissue near the tooth is opened so that the doctor is able to see the underlying bone and remove the infected and inflamed tissue. The end of the root tip is removed, as well. A root-end filling is then placed and the gum is closed with sutures. The bone will heal naturally around the root as long as the area stays free of inflammation and infection.
