Welcome and thank you for visiting the Endodontic Department here at Brighter Dental Care.
The Endodontic Department is comprised of a group of Endodontic Specialists who focus on providing the highest quality of all aspects of endodontic care (root canal therapy) in a relaxed and comfortable setting and at affordable and reasonable fees.
Who is an endodontist?
Understanding tooth anatomy?
What causes the need for an endodontic procedure?
What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?
Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?
Understanding endodontic procedures?
Special care or additional treatment after treatment?
Causes for additional care of endodontically treated tooth
Will endodontic treatment work on all teeth?
Does the endodontic Department accept outside referrals?
How do I make an appointment?
Who is an endodontist?
An endodontist is a dentist with special training in diagnosing and treating problems associated with the inside of the tooth. They focus primarily on endodontic procedures 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, one of the nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. They perform routine as well as difficult and very complex endodontic procedures, including retreatment of previous root canals that have not healed completely. Endodontists are also experienced at finding the cause of oral and facial pain that has been difficult to diagnose.
Endodontists have advanced surgical and nonsurgical skills that make them uniquely qualified to treat routine as well as complex cases. The care that an endodontist provides is supported by intensive education on how to perform the very best endodontics. 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.
Understanding the anatomy of a tooth?
 Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.
The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth's growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.
What causes the need for an endodontic procedure?
Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, 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. In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
 What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gingival tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms.
How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?
The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the root, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, a general dentist 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?
Tooth pain is the main reason that patients seeking treatment. As a result of modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. Seeking treatment early makes the procedure more comfortable, so you should not wait. 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. Follow the instructions given by our staff carefully.
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.
Understanding endodontic procedures?
Endodontic treatment can often be performed in one or two visits, with the majority being done in one visit. During your procedure, the endodontist takes the following steps:
- The endodontist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. Once 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 general dentist before the tooth is restored (see below for the importance of a prompt restoration).
- 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 the 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.
How much will the procedure cost?
The cost of your root canal treatment varies by the complexity of your problem and the location of the affected tooth. For example, molar teeth are more difficult to treat so the fee is higher. The majority of dental insurance plans do provide some level of coverage for endodontic treatment.
Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than the alternative of having the tooth extracted. An extracted tooth must be replaced with a bridge or implant to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration. With root canal treatment you save your natural teeth and money.
Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment after endodontic treatment?
There is no need to alter your daily schedule following an endodontic appointment as most patients return to their normal schedules.
Be careful with your tooth and do not bite or chew on the tooth just treated until such tooth has been restored by your dentist. This restoration should be done as soon as possible, because when a tooth remains unrestored, it is much more susceptible to fracture. Otherwise, you should continue with the practice of sound oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings.
Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. Often when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save the tooth.
What causes an endodontically treated tooth to need additional treatment?
The success rate for endodontic treatment is greater than 95%. However, 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 additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure.
Will endodontic treatment work on all teeth?
The majority of teeth can be treated, however, in some instances a tooth can't 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. When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.
Does the Endodontic Department at Brighter Dental accept referrals from other dentists?
Absolutely, in fact a great deal of local doctors in our areas refer their patients to our endodontic department for all of their endodontic needs. Please note that if you are referred to our endodontic department by your general dentist, our office policy is to refer you back to such referring doctor for your final restoration of the treated tooth.
How do I make an appointment?
Please click here and call the Brighter Dental Location most convenient for your dental treatment. In the alternative, you may email us at info@brighterdental.com and one of our staff members will contact you.
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