Call For An Appointment

301-662-0100

20 Mountaingate Dr.

Frederick, MD 21703

Call For An Appointment:

301-662-0100

20 Mountaingate Dr., Frederick, MD 21703

Root Canals

Root Canals (Endodontics)

Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves of the teeth. Root canals are probably the most notorious procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to endodontics. When a tooth becomes infected, it is usually associated with the nerves in the root of the tooth. The infected nerves need removal. If left untreated, an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes bone loss in the jaw.

The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the procedure. The dentist will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. They will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, space if filled with a sealant called gutta-percha. Most recommend that a tooth that has undergone a root canal have a crown fitted. Therefore improving the appearance of the tooth, and will also make it much more likely that the root canal is successful.

“Root canal” has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less “scary.” Local anesthetics and proper pain medication allow the procedure to take place with little to no pain in most cases. There may be some soreness following the procedure, but that is normal for most dental procedures. Over the counter, painkillers are usually enough to relieve any pain afterward, but your dentist may prescribe medication. The procedure will also relieve you from pain caused by the infection, allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard. If you are experiencing pain, contact us today to set up a consultation.

Apicoectomy (Endodontic Surgery)

Performing apicoectomy is required only after an unsuccessful root canal. When an infection does not go away or returns after a root canal, this procedure is usually necessary. Many nerves may contain the infected tissue, so it is essential to remove all of the infection during a root canal. During an apicoectomy, the tip of the root of the tooth is removed and replaced with a filling.

In most cases, a second root canal is considered before an apicoectomy since it is a more straightforward, less invasive procedure. Before the apicoectomy begins, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the area. The doctor will start by making an incision in your gum to expose the root of your tooth. Any inflamed tissue will be removed to clean out the area. The surgery takes place in a tiny area and removing a few millimeters from the root.

For this reason, the doctor will use magnification and small precision instruments to perform the surgery. The precise nature of the operation gives it a high rate of success. Fitting the tooth with a filling and suturing the gums is done after removing the root. Depending on the type of sutures you may have to return in a few days to have them removed, or dissolving sutures may be used instead. Over the next few months, the bone will heal around the root.

Endo Microscope

The use of the Endo Microscope allows a doctor to perform procedures with greater accuracy by magnifying the treatment area. The microscope’s superior illumination and magnification have made the most significant impact on visualization of the area, evaluation of surgical technique, and use of fewer x-rays. With the unique ultrasonic unit and tips, a separated instrument or silver point can be removed with less effort. Fourth canals are now routinely being located and completely debrided in virtually all molars, thus increasing the long-term success rate with root canal therapy

Retreatment

With proper care, most teeth that have had endodontic (root canal) treatment can last as long as other natural teeth. Root canals performed by endodontists (root canal specialists) have a 95% success rate. In some cases, however, a tooth that has received endodontic treatment fails to heal. Occasionally, the tooth becomes painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment.

Why do I need retreatment?

As occasionally happens with any dental or medical procedure, a tooth may not heal as expected after initial treatment for a variety of reasons:

  • Narrow or curved canals were not treated during the initial procedure.
  • Complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first procedure.
  • Delaying the placement of the crown or other restoration following the endodontic treatment.
  • The restoration did not prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth.

In other cases, a new problem can jeopardize a tooth that was successfully treated.

For example:

  • New decay can expose the root canal filling material to bacteria, causing a new infection in the tooth.
  • A loose, cracked or broken crown or filling can expose the tooth to a new infection.
  • A tooth sustains a fracture.

Retreatment is performed in two visits and involves the following:

At the initial visit, the endodontist will examine the tooth, take x-rays, and discuss your treatment options. If you and your endodontist choose retreatment, the retreatment will be scheduled at that time for a future date. At the retreatment appointment, the endodontist will administer local anesthetic to numb the tooth. After the tooth is numb, the endodontist will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. In many cases, complex restorative materials (crown, post, and core material) must be disassembled and removed to permit access to the root canals.

After removing the canal filling, the endodontist can clean the canals and carefully examine the inside of your tooth using a microscope, searching for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.
After cleaning the canals, the endodontist will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth. Post space may also be prepared at this time.

After your endodontist completes retreatment, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible to have a new crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
If the canals are unusually narrow or blocked, your endodontist may recommend endodontic surgery.

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After you are approved then call our office to move to the next step for selection terms and finalizing your loan contract.
After this then Lending USA will send the funding to our office for us to start your Treatment Phase.

Douglas K. Tavenner, Jr.,
DDS, FAGD
20 Mountaingate Dr.
Frederick, MD 21703
Fax: (301) 662-0100

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6 months no interest

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