ENDODONTIC (root canal) THERAPY:


The primary purpose of Endodontic Therapy is to retain teeth that would otherwise have to be removed due to injury to the dental pulp. It is better - and less expensive - to retain your tooth when possible. There are many disadvantages of tooth loss. When a tooth is removed and not replaced, the teeth surrounding the empty space often begin to shift, tilt and rotate out of alignment. This creates more problems and could result in the loss of more teeth. Therefore, you should consider having an artificial tooth (bridge or dental implant) put in the place of the removed natural tooth. The cost of the prosthesis is usually more than the cost of Endodontic Therapy and often involves dental work on adjacent teeth. If a tooth is not replaced, your chewing efficiency is decreased and your appearance can also be affected. A healthy natural tooth is better than an artificial tooth. Root canal treatment makes it possible to retain teeth that would otherwise be lost.




About Endodontic Care: Endodontic treatment removes tissue from inside the tooth that has been damaged by trauma or infected by decay. This tissue, called the pulp, contains nerves and blood vessels that provide pain signals from the tooth in case of injury. After the pulp is removed, the pulp chamber and root canal system are cleaned, disinfected and sealed. Although the pulp is removed, the treated tooth remains alive and functional since it is still nourished by the surrounding gums and jaw.



Endodontic Therapy usually takes from one to four appointments. With the use of local anesthetics, the treatment is comfortable. After the appointment some soreness and discomfort may persist. These symptoms can usually be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications.



Outstanding Success Rate: Approximately ninety percent of endodontically treated teeth respond to conventional Endodontic Therapy. The remaining ten percent may later require a surgical procedure (Apicoectomy), to debride the infected site and seal the end of the roots. Fortunately, surgical endodontics also has a high degree of success. Therefore, your restored tooth can last a lifetime if you continue to properly care for your teeth. It takes approximately twelve to eighteen months for the bone around the root of the tooth to heal and show up clearly on an x-ray. It is in your best interest to return for a recall examination and allow evaluation of the healing process. Since it can take longer than one year for the tissues surrounding the tooth to completely heal, it may be necessary to check it more than once.