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Frequently
Asked Questions
Who performs endodontic treatment?
All dentists, including your
general dentist, received some training in endodontics while in
dental school. Often general dentists refer patients needing root
canal treatment to endodontists.
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What
is an "endodontist"?
Endodontists are dentists who specialize in treating
the soft inner tissue of your tooth's roots. After they complete
dental school, they attend another dental school program for two
or three more years. This program is called an advanced specialty
education program. They study only endodontic treatment and learn
advanced techniques so they can give you the very best care.
Endodontists are specialists. In their
offices, they perform only endodontic procedures, both routine and
complex. They are also experienced at finding the cause of oral
and facial pain that is difficult to diagnose.
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Why
is there a need for endodontic treatment?
Sometimes the pulp inside your tooth becomes inflamed or infected.
This can be caused by deep decay, repeated dental procedures on
the tooth, a crack or chip in the tooth, or a blow to the tooth.
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What are the signs of
needing endodontic treatment?
Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity
to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness
in the nearby gums. But sometimes, there are no symptoms.
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How does endodontic treatment
save the tooth?
The endodontist removes the
inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside
of the tooth, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, you return
to your general dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration
on the tooth to protect it and restore it to full function.
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Will I feel pain during or after
the procedure?
While many patients may be
in great pain before seeing an endodontist, most report that the
pain is relieved by the endodontist and that they are comfortable
during the procedure. For the first few days after treatment, the
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. The endodontist will tell you how to
care for your tooth at home.
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How
much will the procedure cost?
The cost varies depending
on how severe the problem is and which tooth is affected. Many dental
insurance policies cover endodontic treatment. Generally, treatment
and restoration of your natural tooth is the least expensive option.
The only alternative is having the tooth extracted and replaced
with a bridge, implant, or removable partial denture to restore
chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.
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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 general dentist because your
tooth could fracture. Otherwise, just practice good oral hygiene
- brushing, flossing and regular checkups and cleanings. Endodontically
treated teeth can last for many years, even a lifetime.
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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, your endodontist
may discover very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated
during the initial procedure. Sometimes a treated tooth may need
endodontic surgery to be saved.
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What is endodontic surgery?
The most common endodontic
surgical procedure is an apicoectomy or root-end resection. It is
used to relieve inflammation or infection in the bony area around
the end of your tooth that continues after endodontic treatment.
The endodontist opens the gum tissue and removes the infected tissue
and may remove the very end of the root. A small filling may be
placed to seal the root canal. Endodontists use local anesthetics,
like those used when you have a cavity filled. Most patients
return to their normal activities the next day.
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web site browsers: This Website is provided for information
and education purposes only. No doctor/patient relationship is established
by your use of this site. No diagnosis or treatment is being provided.
The information contained here should be used in consultation with
an Endodontist of your choice. No guarantee or warranties are made
regarding any of the information within this Website. This Website
is not intended to offer specific medical, dental, or surgical advice
to anyone. Dr. Klein is licensed to practice in the State of Maryland
and this Website is not intended to solicit patients from other
states. Further, this Website and Dr. Klein take no responsibility
for websites hyper-linked to this site and such hyper-linking does
not imply any relationship or endorsements of the linked sites.
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