Endodontic Treatment

Root canal or endodontic treatment may be necessary when the pulp tissue inside the root canals of a tooth becomes infected or damaged, which can be caused by dental trauma or decay.  Teeth generally has between one and four root canals and a root canal procedure may be performed on a single root canal or multiple root canals within a tooth.

Occasionally a tooth that was treated months or years ago may develop new problems. In some cases, a tooth that has been treated endodontically fails to heal or continues to have pain. You may have another chance to save the tooth with a second endodontic procedure.

Sometimes it may become necessary to remove the infected root tips or apex and the nearby tissue to preserve the health of the surrounding teeth and gums. Known as an apical surgery or an apicoectomy, we remove an infection around the apex of the tooth and then seal the root’s tip to help prevent new infections.

Symptoms of a cracked tooth are varied and may include pain when chewing, sensitivity to hot and cold food and drink, 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.

The blood vessels, nerves, and tissue that keep a tooth healthy and alive are located in the tooth’s pulp, which is protected by the outer enamel and tooth structure. Sometimes the pulp becomes infected and needs to be removed with a pulpotomy. Because this procedure is often performed on deciduous (baby) teeth, it is sometimes referred to as a baby root canal.

Traumatic injuries such as fractured, cracked, or displaced teeth can result in the need for dental treatment. Dental trauma care requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment. Treatments may include a splint, medication, a root canal, or other procedures. Once treated, we will monitor your tooth to ensure it is healing properly and that any injuries or infections are quickly resolved.

We offer varying levels of sedation dentistry to provide patients with pain relief and relaxation during treatment. Patients are usually awake with the exception of those who are under general anesthesia.

Regardless of which type of sedation you receive, you’ll also typically need a local anesthetic – numbing medication at the site where the dentist is working in the mouth – to relieve pain if the procedure causes any discomfort.

Utilizing 3D technology creates more detailed and higher-resolution images with less radiation exposure than a traditional full-mouth x-ray. This quick and painless technology helps our doctors recommend the most conservative treatment for a successful outcome and also help patients avoid costly exploratory procedures and possible unpredictable treatments.

We accept emergency patients during office hours on the same day. We work patients into our schedule as emergency patients so they can be seen as soon as possible. For after hours emergencies, please call our office and follow the recorded instructions.