ROOT CANALS
What is a "root canal" (a.k.a., root canal treatment, RCT, non-surgical orthograde endodontic treatment, "that dreaded dental procedure," etc.)?
"Root canal" refers to the dental procedure called "root canal treatment." In it’s most basic terms, it is the cleaning and sealing of the innermost portion of a tooth (called the pulp or root canal space) in an effort to relieve pain or infection and to restore the tooth to normal function.
Root canals are indicated when a tooth becomes painful or infected. Cracks, decay (cavities), deep fillings, and trauma may all cause a tooth to become sensitive. Pain with chewing, temperature, or spontaneous tooth pain may indicate endodontic treatment is required to relieve symptoms and heal the tooth.
At ECC all treatment is completed start-to-finish utilizing the dental operating microscope. Why is this important? It allows us to visualize the root canal space in a way that maximizes the amount of tooth that we can preserve while optimally disinfecting and sealing your tooth. Utilizing a microscope throughout treatment is critical to providing precise and meticulous treatment giving your tooth the best chance of lasting for the rest of your life.
RETREATMENT
Retreatment is the revision of a previous root canal to resolve pain or infection. Retreatment requires a specific focus on the source of the problem—often untreated pulp canal anatomy, in order to predictably allow healing of the tooth. Do we want to add this last sentence?
It is important to note the bacteria present can be more virulent (stronger) and different than in teeth that have not been previously endodontically treated. In most cases we prefer to revise previous treatment in 2 visits or more visits. Typically during the initial visit we remove the root filling material and thoroughly clean your tooth internally. Once cleaned, we place a medicine internally and seal the tooth with a strong temporary filling. The medicine will continue to cleanse the tooth over the following weeks until your second visit. At your second visit we evaluate the condition of your tooth and assess healing. In most cases we are able to complete your pretreatment by cleaning and permanently resealing the the root space. When appropriate we schedule a follow up appointment 6-12 months after completion to confirm healing.
ENDODONTIC SURGERY
Endodontic surgery or apicoectomy is a surgical procedure performed to treat tooth infection when a tooth is not amenable traditional root canal treatment modalities. The infected area and root tip is accessed through a small incision in the gums. Once visualized any infection is removed and the root tip is trimmed and sealed. The incision is then sealed with sutures and follow up is scheduled for suture removal at 5 days and again at 6 months to confirm healing.
What do we want our patients to know? possible on front welcome page?
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We use the microscope 100% of the time
-
a team committed to providing the best possible care
From Matt:
ROOT CANALS
What is a root canal?
A root canal, rather, endodontic treatment, in it’s most basic terms is the cleaning and sealing of the innermost portion of a tooth (called the pulp or root canal space) in an effort to relieve pain or infection and to restore the tooth to normal function.
Root canals are indicated when a tooth becomes painful or infected. Cracks, decay (cavities), deep fillings, and trauma may all cause a tooth to become sensitive. Pain with chewing, temperature, or spontaneous tooth pain may indicate endodontic treatment is required to relieve symptoms and heal the tooth.
At ECC all treatment is completed start-to-finish utilizing the dental operating microscope. Why is this important? It allows us to visualize the root canal space in a way that maximizes the amount of tooth that we can preserve while optimally disinfecting and sealing your tooth. Utilizing a microscope throughout treatment is critical to providing precise and meticulous treatment giving your tooth the best chance of lasting for the rest of your life.
RETREATMENT
Retreatment is the revision of a previous root canal to resolve pain or infection. Retreatment requires a specific focus on the source of the problem—often untreated pulp canal anatomy, in order to predictably allow healing of the tooth. Do we want to add this last sentence?
It is important to note the bacteria present can be more virulent (stronger) and different than in teeth that have not been previously endodontically treated. In most cases we prefer to revise previous treatment in 2 visits or more visits. Typically during the initial visit we remove the root filling material and thoroughly clean your tooth internally. Once cleaned, we place a medicine internally and seal the tooth with a strong temporary filling. The medicine will continue to cleanse the tooth over the following weeks until your second visit. At your second visit we evaluate the condition of your tooth and assess healing. In most cases we are able to complete your pretreatment by cleaning and permanently resealing the the root space. When appropriate we schedule a follow up appointment 6-12 months after completion to confirm healing.
ENDODONTIC SURGERY
Endodontic surgery or apicoectomy is a surgical procedure performed to treat tooth infection when a tooth is not amenable traditional root canal treatment modalities. The infected area and root tip is accessed through a small incision in the gums. Once visualized any infection is removed and the root tip is trimmed and sealed. The incision is then sealed with sutures and follow up is scheduled for suture removal at 5 days and again at 6 months to confirm healing.
What do we want our patients to know? possible on front welcome page?
-
We use the microscope 100% of the time
-
a team committed to providing the best possible care