What is an Endodontist? An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in root canal
treatment. Endodontists
have advanced surgical and nonsurgical skills that make them uniquely
qualified to treat routine as well as complex cases. After completing dental school, endodontists attend a two- or three-year advanced dental
school program that focuses only on endodontic science and procedures. Endodontists also attend continuing education courses
after they are in practice, so they are knowledgeable about state-of-the-art
research, clinical procedures, and technology. The American Board of Endodontics
provides an objective examination process to evaluate an endodontist
once they have been in practice. Less
than 25% of all endodontists in the United States
achieve board certification. Dr. Beach
completed his board certification in 2008 and is a Diplomate
of the American Board of Endodontics. |
What is endodontic treatment? |
Why would I need an endodontic
procedure?
How
does endodontic treatment save the tooth? |
Endodontic Procedure
2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. |
Who performs endodontic treatment? |
Will I feel pain during or after the
procedure? |
I'm worried about
x-rays. Should I be? No.
While x-rays will be necessary during your endodontic treatment, we use an
advanced non-film computerized system called digital radiography. It produces radiation levels close to 90
percent lower than those of already low dose conventional dental x-ray
machinery. These digital images can be optimized, archived, printed and sent
to your referring dentist via e-mail. |
What happens after
treatment? When your root canal therapy has been
completed, a record of your treatment 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. Your restorative dentist will
decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. |