Frequently Asked Questions

What is endodontics?

Endodontics is a branch of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association involving treatment of the pulp (root canal) and surrounding tissues of the tooth. When you look at your tooth in the mirror, what you see is the crown. The rest of the tooth, the portion hidden beneath the gum line, is called the root. Though the outer portion of the root is a hard tissue called dentin, the inside channel or "root canal" contains a pulp of soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria that are introduced into the pulp as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fracture or other problems, can severely damage the pulp. When that happens, an endodontic specialist removes the diseased pulp to save the tooth and prevent further infection and inflammation. After successful endodontic treatment, the tooth continues to perform normally.

What about infection?

Again, there's no need for concern. We adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control advocated by OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association. We utilize autoclave sterilization and barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection.

What happens after treatment?

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your general dentist. You should contact that office for follow-up treatment to restore the tooth within a few weeks of completion. Your dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment. If a problem does occur, however, a doctor is on call at all time to respond to your needs.

What new technologies are being used?

We now offer digital radiography
With digital radiography:

1. You will be exposed to less radiation. Digital x-rays use one-sixth the dose of radiation as compared to conventional x-rays.
2. We can easily share images on a computer screen with you and your referring dentist allowing a thorough explanation of problems and treatment procedures.
3. Your appointment will be expedited. Faster image processing leads to less time that patients spend waiting in the dental chair.
4. Digital x-rays allow us to communicate quickly and clearly with your dentist as the images are readily available and easily transferred.
5. This technology is friendly to the environment since chemicals are not used to process the images.

Operating Microscopes:

In addition to digital radiography, we utilize specialized microscopes. Magnification and fiber optic illumination are helpful in aiding the doctor to see tiny details inside your tooth. Also, a tiny video camera on the operating microscope can record images of your tooth to further document the doctor's findings.