Endodontics

Our general doctors can treat deeply infected and injured teeth using root canal therapy. Root canal therapy prevents tooth loss. Our primary objective is to always try to maintain the natural dentition by using various endodontic methods. Sometimes extra endodontic care is required for some patients. Our Doctors can make professional assessments, and refer out to Endodontic Specialists if needed.

Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges. For more information on root canal treatment, call our office today.

Common Questions:

Why would I need an endodontic procedure?
Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp (in the middle of a tooth) 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 in the tooth. In addition, a blow to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chip or cracks. If pulp inflammation is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an infection. Signs of pulp damage include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gum. Sometimes there are no symptoms.

How does Endodontic treatment save the tooth?
Our doctor will remove the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully clean and shape the inside of the tooth, then fill and seal the space. Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?
Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedures.

For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure, or pain that lasts more than a few days, call our office at 408-778 4838.

Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment?
You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible. Otherwise, you need only practice good oral hygiene, which includes brushing, flossing and regular checkups and cleaning.

What causes an endodontically treated tooth to need additional treatment?
New trauma, deep decay or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, the endodontist may discover very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure.

Can all teeth be treated endodontically?
Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth cannot be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support or the tooth cannot be restored. However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost. And, when endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.

What is endodontic surgery?
The most common endodontic surgical procedure is called an apicoectomy or root-end resection. When inflammation or infection persists in the end of your tooth after endodontic treatment. In this procedure, the endodontic surgeon opens the gum tissue near the tooth to expose the underlying bone and the infected tissue is removed. The very end of the root is also removed and a small filling may be placed to seal the root canal. Local anesthetics make the procedure comfortable and most patients return to their normal activities the next day.

What are the alternatives to endodontic treatment?
Dental implants offers an alternative that we perform when saving the tooth is not the best option.