treatment

Who is an Endodontist?
An Endodontist is a dentist who has undergone a minimum of 2 years post graduate training after completing dental school. Specialist training allows an Endodontist to specifically deal with diseases of the dental pulp and supporting structures. Endodontists are also experienced at finding the cause of oral and facial pain that has been difficult to diagnose.


What is Endodontics?
Endodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with diseases of the dental pulp and its supporting structures. Although general dentists can perform endodontic (root canal) treatment,patients are often referred to a specialist when the case is complicated or more difficult than usual.

Understanding the anatomy of a tooth helps to understand 'root canal' treatment. The outside layer of the tooth is composed of a hard layer called enamel. Under that is an inner layer called dentin.Inside of these two hard structures is a soft center called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that are responsible for forming the hard structures of the tooth during its development. Although the pulp is important during the development of the tooth, it is not necessary for function of the adult tooth. The tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it even after the pulp is removed.


Why would I need Endodontic (root canal) treatment?
The most common reasons for needing a root canal are deep caries (decay), repeated dental procedures, cracks or chips that cause the pulp to get inflamed or infected. 


How Can Endodontic Treatment help me?
The endodontist will remove the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully clean and shape the canal system and then fills/seals them with a special 'rubber-like' filling called gutta percha. Depending on the tooth, two-visits may be necessary to medicate the space for a period of time before filling/sealing the roots.
Once root canal treatment is completed, you will be instructed to return to your dentist for a permanent restoration (crown or bonded filling) of the top of the tooth. This restoration of the top of the tooth is an important part of treatment because it seals the root canal filling from the oral environment which can cause reinfection, protects the tooth from fracture and restores it to function.


Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?
Pain is the usual reason for a patient to seek treatment. Fortunately, modern anesthetics can make the procedure pain-free in most cases.

Seeking treatment early makes the procedure more comfortable, so don't wait. When caught early, treatment should feel no different than having a regular filling.

For the first few days after treatment, there may be some sensitivity to biting pressure, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure.

If there are no contra-indications, 600mg of ibuprofen every six hours is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. The typical inflammatory response peaks at 48 hours then subsides. Your endodontist can prescribe other medications but they are rarely required

Do not worry if you feel your tooth a little more two days later.


Endodontic Retreatment
When properly cared for, even teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime. But there are times when a tooth that has been treated doesn't heal properly. It can become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment. If your tooth failed to heal or develops new problems, you have a second chance. An additional procedure may be able to support healing and save your tooth. If you have pain or discomfort in a previously treated tooth, talk to an endodontist about retreatment.

For more information about root canal treatment please click on our link for the American Association of Endodontics web page.