Frequently asked questions

Who Performs Endodontic Treatment?

Endodontists are dentists with special training in endodontic procedures. They do only endodontics in their practices because they are specialists. To become specialists, they complete dental school and an additional two or more years of advanced training in endodontics. They perform routine as well as difficult and very complex endodontic procedures, including endodontic surgery. Endodontists are also experienced at finding the cause of oral and facial pain that has been difficult to diagnose.

Endodontic Treatment is.....

More than 14 million teeth receive endodontic treatment each year. By choosing endodontic treatment, you are choosing to keep your natural teeth as a healthy foundation for chewing and biting for years to come. Endodontic treatment, or root canal therapy, involves removal of diseased or compromised pulpal tissue from within the tooth, followed by a thorough cleansing of the root canal system. It is generally a highly successful procedure, with over 90% of all cases healing with routine treatment. Occasionally, additional procedures are necessary to ensure that your tooth can be saved. These may be performed at the initial visit or at a later date. Most teeth can be completed in 1-2 visits with minimal discomfort. Following treatment, a crown is recommended on most endodontically treated teeth, which should be performed by your family dentist.

Why Would I Need An Endodontic Procedure?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes; deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. Signs of pulpal damage include, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums. Sometimes, there are no symptoms.

Will I Feel Pain During or After The Procedure?

With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed.

The Endodontic Procedure:

The Endodontist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the Endodontist places a small protective sheet called a "dental dam" over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.

The Endodontist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling.

After the space is cleaned and shaped, the Endodontist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called "gutta-percha." The gutta-percha is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. The temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.

After the final visit with your Endodontist, you must return to your dentist to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.

If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold a restoration in place, your dentist or Endodontist may place a post inside the tooth. Ask your dentist or Endodontist for more details about the specific restoration planned for your tooth.

Disclaimer: This website is provided for information and educational purposes only. No doctor/patient relationship is established by your use of this site. No diagnosis or treatment is being provided. The information contained here should be used in consultation with a dentist and/or endodontist of your choice. No guarantees or warranties are made regarding any of the information contained within this website. This website is not intended to offer specific medical, dental or surgical advice to anyone. Hence, you should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal, medical and/or dental attention, diagnosis, and care.