Our primary goal is to save your natural teeth whenever possible.
Endodontics is the treatment of the pulp and surrounding tissues of a tooth. When root canal therapy is performed, the pulp chamber of the tooth is removed and then filled with a suitable filling material. Root canals are most often necessary when decay has reached the nerve of the tooth or the tooth has become infected. The number of canals and anatomy of a tooth can vary. People have anywhere from 1 to 4 canals in a tooth. Extra canals may branch out and are called “accessory canals.” The word “endo” comes from the Greek language and means “inside” or within.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canals are most often necessary when decay has reached the nerve of the tooth or the tooth has become infected. When root canal therapy is performed, infected or inflamed pulp is removed from the tooth chamber. The inside of the tooth is then cleaned and disinfected before being filled and sealed to limit the possibility of future infection. Soon after the root canal is performed, the tooth is restored with a dental crown or filling to protect the tooth and restore normal tooth function.
Other Endodontic Procedures
3D Cone Beam Endodontics. With cone beam systems the doctor is able to get a full 360 degree view of the tooth and all surrounding areas. The 3D cone beam scanner provides nearly limitless views of the teeth while using less radiation than traditional medical CT technology.
Cracked Teeth. Symptoms of a cracked tooth are varied and may include pain when chewing, temperature sensitivity or pressure sensitivity or a combination of these. Because the pain often comes and goes, it can be very difficult to recognize what is causing the problem. It can sometimes even be difficult to identify exactly which tooth is causing the discomfort.
Dental Trauma. Traumatic injuries can result in the need for dental treatment. Fractured or cracked teeth, a displaced tooth, or even a tooth that has been knocked out (avulsed) are common results of dental trauma. Each of these conditions requires specific treatment, dictated by the effect of the injury on the tooth, whether or not the tooth is deciduous (a baby tooth) or permanent (adult), and the time between the injury and treatment, among other considerations. Any dental trauma requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment. Treatment may include a splint, medication, a root canal or other procedures. Once treated, your tooth will be monitored to ensure it is healing as expected and so that any injuries or infections can be quickly resolved.