Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a few frequently asked questions in regards
to your teeth and the process of a root canal.
Q. What
is Endodontic Therapy?
A. Endodontic
treatment removes damaged or infected tissue from the inside of the tooth.
The healthy tooth has two sets of supporting tissues and nerves, the pulp
on the inside and the periodontal ligament on the outside.
After removing the diseased pulp from the inside of the tooth the canals
are sterilized and sealed.
Q. What are the Benefits of
Endodontic Therapy?
A. Endodontic treatment saves a tooth
that would have to be extracted, thus preserving the natural condition of the
oral tissues.
Q. Is
Endodontic Therapy Painful?
A. No.
Modern anesthetics are so effective that endodontic therapy is as
comfortable as any dental procedure. The
local anesthetics are administrated with a very tiny needle at a very slow rate
and the anesthesia itself is virtually painless.
Q. How
Long Will the Treatment Take?
A. The entire procedure is accomplished
in a single appointment, which usually takes approximately 90 minutes.
Q. Is
There Pain After the Procedure?
A. Usually
there is only a slight 'soreness' as in any dental procedure.
It lasts only a short time and is readily alleviated with
non-prescription analgesics.
Q. Who
Performs Endodontic Therapy?
A. All dentists receive some training
in these procedures. Endodontists
are specialists in the treatment of diseases of the pulp and surrounding tissues
and have at least an additional two years of rigorous training in the field.
They generally are able to treat the problem more efficiently and
knowledgeably.
Q. What
Are the Alternatives to Endodontic Treatment?
A. The only alternative to endodontic
treatment is extraction of the tooth. The
lost tooth can be replaced with an implant or a bridge.
Both procedures are generally more expensive than the root canal
treatment.
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