Endodontics is a branch of dentistry, recognized by the American Dental Association, involving treatment of the pulp (root canal) and surrounding tissues. The portion of the tooth hidden beneath the gum line is called the root. Within the root are channels or “canals” which contain the soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves.

Root canal therapy is a non-surgical procedure that focuses on treating the injured or diseased pulp of the tooth. Pulp, which is at the center of your tooth, is a collection of soft tissues, blood vessels and nerves. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks, or extensive dental procedures. Root canal therapy is a treatment that can save your natural tooth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.

You may think, why not have a tooth pulled, especially if no one can see it? Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift, impacting your ability to properly chew, and changing your smile. Replacing an extracted tooth with an artificial one when not necessary requires additional dental visits and increased expense.

Modern endodontics offers advancements in technologies, procedures and materials, giving you many treatment options to save your natural teeth. Endodontists are specialists in saving teeth. They can evaluate your condition and provide the best treatment plan to help you save your teeth for a lifetime.

There is no need for concern. We adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control advocated by OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association. We utilize medical grade disinfecting wipes, autoclave sterilization, and barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection or cross-contamination.

Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. Like natural teeth, root canal treated teeth are susceptible to decay and/or fracture. In these instances, the root canal can become contaminated.  If this occurs, an endodontic retreatment or apical surgery procedure can predictably save these teeth.

We use local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. You will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you should be comfortable returning to your normal routine.

The most common surgery used to save a previously root canaled teeth is an apical surgery (apicoectomy).

Generally, a root canal is all that is needed to save teeth with injured pulp from extraction. On occasion, this non-surgical procedure will not be sufficient to heal the tooth and your endodontist will recommend apical surgery. Endodontic surgery can be used to locate fractures and hidden or blocked canals that do not appear on digital radiographs but still manifest pain in the tooth.

Apical surgery (apicoectomy) involves making an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tip of the root and surrounding tissue. The inflamed tissue is removed, along with the tip of the root. A root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root and the gum is sutured. The bone naturally heals around the root, over a period of months, restoring full function.

While all endodontists are dentists, less than three percent of dentists are endodontists. Endodontists proudly refer to themselves as Specialists in Saving Teeth.

Endodontists Have Advanced Education
To become specialists, endodontists have two to three years of additional education in an advanced specialty program in endodontics after completing four years of dental school. They focus on studying diseases of the dental pulp and how to treat them.

Endodontists Are Experts in Pain Management                                                                                          Endodontists use specialized techniques to ensure patients are as comfortable as possible during their treatments. They are experts in administering numbing medications, especially in patients who traditionally have problems getting and staying numb. Patients will be relieved of tooth pain after their root canal procedure when the pulp infection or inflammation heals.

Endodontists Use Cutting-Edge Technologies
Endodontists have materials and equipment designed to make your treatment more comfortable and successful. They use dental operating microscopes.  These allow the endodontist to see the intricate, internal tooth anatomy and locate and treat additional canals that otherwise may not be discoverable. Digital radiographs and 3 dimensional CBCT imaging allow endodontists to see detailed internal tooth anatomy and better diagnose and treat the root canals and any related infections. The additional CBCT fee will be discussed with you prior to obtaining this scan.

If you experience symptoms such as visible injury or swelling around the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums, your dentist may recommend non-surgical root canal treatment. Trauma to the teeth, such as fractured or cracked teeth may also require root canal therapy.

No. While x-rays are necessary during your treatment, we use an advanced, non-film, computerized system, called digital radiography, that produces radiation levels up to 90 percent lower than those of already low dose conventional dental x-ray machinery. These digital images can be optimized, archived, printed and sent to your dentist via e-mail or flash drive. For more information contact our office.

In root canal therapy, the endodontist removes the injured or diseased pulp and then thoroughly cleans and seals the root canal system. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in more than 95% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, the endodontist will inform you at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment.

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. Endodontists understand a great deal about pain management. With modern techniques and anesthetics, the vast majority of patients report that their procedure was comfortable and pain-free!

For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications are usually enough to manage this sensitivity. In some cases, prescription medications may be necessary and are available from your endodontist.

Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. If you experience pressure, pain, or swelling that lasts more than a few days, please call the office.

Contact us at (716) 815-3636.

Our staff is here to help! If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you promptly.

We use a number of advanced technologies that enhance the practice of endodontics and care we provide our patients.

All of our offices use digital radiography, a technology that exposes patients to less radiation than conventional x-rays, makes it easier to share a patient’s radiographic images with both the patient and referring dentist, improves communication about treatment procedures with patients and referring dentists, expedites appointments through faster image processing, and is environmentally friendly because it does not require toxic chemicals for image processing.

In addition to digital x-rays, endodontists may use a CBCT, or cone beam computed tomography scanner, if needed. This advanced 3D technology helps the endodontist see very fine details inside teeth to provide superior diagnosis and treatment planning options for the patient. The additional CBCT fee will be discussed with you prior to obtaining this scan.

We also use operating microscope technology that provides optimal magnification and fiber optic illumination during your endodontic treatment. This specialized technology aids the endodontist in seeing tiny details inside your tooth. In addition, a tiny video camera in the operating microscope can record images and video of your tooth to further document the endodontists findings.

Other technologies we use include ultrasonic tooth canal irrigation devices and torque-controlled rotary instruments.