What's the goal of a root canal or endodontic treatment?

 

A: Is it to put white lines on your x-ray so that the doctor can get paid for the treatment?  Is it to merely to place fillings into the canals of your tooth's roots as efficiently and quickly as possible to do that?

 

B: Is it to heal your tooth and make it a functioning part of your mouth, and to do it in a manner that minimizes the chance of cracking or fracturing your roots (which would result in losing your tooth and the need to consider a tooth replacement?

 

WE STRONGLY BELIEVE IN "B" !!!

 

Yes a "root canal" can be done quickly.  I think I've seen someone do a molar in 10 mins (I had to pick up my jaw off the ground after seeing that done).  Yes, I'm sure a carotid catherization can be done that quickly too.  But the question is:  why would you want a procedure to be done so quickly or so cheaply?  If done too hastily, the roots can crack and you will need to have the tooth extracted in the future.  At that time you may not recall what was done to it, but you'll be paying and itll be incovnenient.

 

We don't mind taking all the time we need to properly treat a tooth AND complete treatment so that the tooth can stay in your mouth.  We don't believe that RCT is a temporary procedure for the tooth.  We don't believe RCT is planned obsolesence so that an implant can replace it later.  We WANT YOU TO RETAIN your natural tooth!  The goal isn't to place white lines on your x-ray!  Unfortunately, that's what is happening now.  Too much empahasis has been placed on "doing the procedure" rather than taking extra efforts to carefully plan the procedure (link to "one shot one kill"), to pre-operatively strategize the entry into the tooth (link to SDC and access design), to minimize the creation of cracks/fractures that will decrease the longevity of the tooth, and to fortify the tooth so that it is not lost midtreatment (link cotton/cavit cases - ask for Matt's case.  I have one too)