FAQ

What is endodontics?

Endodontics is a branch of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association involving treatment of the pulp (root canal) and surrounding tissues of the tooth. When you look at your tooth in the mirror, what you see is the crown. The rest of the tooth, the portion hidden beneath the gum line, is called the root. Though the outer portion of the root is a hard tissue called dentin, the inside channel or "root canal" contains a pulp of soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria that are introduced into the pulp as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fracture, trauma, or other problems, can severely damage the pulp. When that happens, an endodontic specialist removes the diseased pulp to save the tooth and prevent further infection and inflammation. After successful endodontic treatment, the tooth continues to function normally.

I'm worried about x-rays.  Is there cause for concern?

No. While x-rays will be necessary during your endodontic treatment, we use an advanced non-film computerized system, called digital radiography. It utilizes a special sensor which significantly reduces radiation levels over film-based dental x-ray systems. These digital images can be optimized, archived, printed and sent to co-therapists via e-mail or diskette.

What about infection control?

Again, there's no need for concern. We adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control advocated by OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control, and the American Dental Association. We utilize barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection. We are committed to staying current with the latest in infection control and sterilization guidelines. Our goal is to provide the highest level of safety and you can rest assured knowing that the following methods of sterilization are routinely utilized:

• Disinfectant hand soap
• Gloves and face masks
• Chemical disinfectant of countertops and surfaces
• Autoclave sterilization of all equipment (including all dental hand pieces)
• Individual tray set-ups with sterile instruments for all procedures

All reusable equipment, including dental handpieces (drills) are sterilized after each use. We sterilize all equipment using an autoclave, a device that kills bacteria and viruses by utilizing steam under pressure. An independent commercial monitoring service ensures proper maintenance of our sterilizing equipment.

What happens after treatment?

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a treatment report will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact his or her office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office.
Please don't chew on the tooth until it has been protected by a full coverage restoration such as a crown (cap) or onlay. Your restorative dentist will decide what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment. If a problem does occur, however, we are available to respond.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?

The goal of endodontics is to relieve pain caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern anesthetic techniques, the majority of patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. Your comfort is our utmost concern. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may be sensitive or sore, especially if there was pain or infection prior to the procedure. In the majority of cases, over-the-counter pain relievers are used to treat this discomfort, but we may elect to prescribe additional medications for you if necessary.