According to recent statistics, more than 15 million root canal treatments are performed by dentists every year. This common dental procedure aims to remove diseased pulp tissue from the hollow core inside a tooth. This tissue, which contains nerves and blood vessels, is unique in that it cannot heal itself. Once infected or irreversibly damaged, the only way to “fix” the tooth is to remove the tissue. That is the purpose of a root canal treatment.
Root canal treatments are necessary for teeth affected by deep cavities, trauma, cracks, or improper development. Your endodontist removes the affected nerve and blood vessel tissue, cleans the internal surface of the hollow tooth, and seals it with a biocompatible filling material.
Some root canal treatments require more than one visit to properly eradicate the infected tissue. A root canal treatment can be very simple or relatively complicated, depending on the root structure of the tooth. Some of our molars have up to five separate canals, and your endodontist must treat them all for a good long-term prognosis. Root canal treatments require consistent follow-up care by both your general dentist and the endodontist.
Becoming an Endodontist The endodontic specialty is a part of dentistry that is more challenging than most other specialties. The biggest reason is that Endodontists deal with emergencies of pulpal diseases and dental pain inside the tooth. Patients are referred to the Endodontist for tooth pain, so time is of the essence to find the
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Many people fear root canals because they do not understand exactly what they are. Root canal treatments are essential dental procedures that are necessary to prevent the dangerous spread of infection and save your tooth. In this article, we’ll explain what a root canal is and how we classify it. What is a Root Canal?
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When it comes to oral surgery, the first thing many people think of is wisdom teeth. Close on its heels comes the thought of being “put to sleep” for their removal. You are correct in thinking that most people do opt for sedation when having their wisdom teeth removed. Many people choose IV sedation for
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Some people hear the phrase “root canal” and shiver in fear. This common endodontic procedure has an unfairly bad reputation. Most people who fear them have never had one, so they are not reacting from experience, but from hearsay. Today, root canal treatments can be completely comfortable, and one of the ways we ensure patients’
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Why Does a Tooth with a Root Canal also Need a Crown? This question sometimes follows surprise expressed by patients who have recently undergone root canal treatment on a tooth. This is especially common when one doctor, a specialist called an endodontist, performs the root canal, and the patient returns to the general dentist for
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Is There Any Truth to Root Canals Causing Cancer? In the age of the internet, you can find misinformation everywhere. One of the topics with some popularity online is the claim that root canals can cause cancer. This is a dangerous myth because it could lead some people to put off essential endodontic dental care,
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Why Does My Tooth Hurt After a Root Canal? One of the most important factors in having a great dental experience is having the appropriate expectations. That’s why, at Empire Dental Specialty Group, we are committed to providing you with accurate, helpful information about your procedure! There are many myths surrounding the dental procedure known
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One of the worst “surprises” a patient can receive during a root canal is the diagnosis of a root fracture. What is a Root Fracture? There are different types of root fractures, and they are all bad news. A crack or fracture of the root of a tooth can occur as the result of an
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