Endodontic Therapy
Endodontic therapy, also known as a root canal, is a relatively painless treatment which aims at clearing infection as well as protecting the tooth from subsequent infections.
When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue, and germs can cause infection. If left untreated, an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling may result.
This not only puts your jawbones at risk for injury, but it’s also detrimental to your overall health. Without the proper treatment, your tooth may have to be removed.
Teeth that require endodontic therapy are not always painful. However, signs you may need a root canal include:
- Severe toothache
- Pain upon chewing or application of pressure
- Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
- Dark discoloration of the tooth
- Swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums
What happens during endodontic therapy?
Root canal treatment involves one to three visits, during which an endodontist removes the affected tissue. After the tissue is removed, the interior of the tooth will be cleaned and sealed.
Finally, the tooth is filled with a dental composite. If your tooth had extensive decay, the doctor may suggest placing a crown to strengthen and protect the tooth from breakage. As long as you continue to care for your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing, and checkups, your restored tooth can last a lifetime.
Most teeth can be saved by endodontic therapy. However, tooth extraction may be necessary if:
- Roots are severely fractured
- The tooth does not have adequate bone support
- The tooth cannot be restored
- Root canals are not accessible
Endodontic therapy is intended to help save your tooth from extraction. Missing teeth can make you self-conscious, affect your ability to bite and chew, cause other healthy teeth to shift, and have a negative impact on your overall health. By choosing to receive endodontic therapy, you are choosing to keep your smile healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Dental Operating Microscope
A dental operating microscope enhances and facilitates all phases of root canal treatment by magnifying the soft and hard tissue. It can make even the smallest piece of tooth or gum clearly visible. This allows Dr. Klimek to diagnose problems in the earlier stages of a disease process, perform procedures at a greater level of precision, and reduce the need for retreatment.
Benefits of Dental Operating Microscopes
Improved View: Dental operating microscopes make minute details and fine structures clearly visible, which enables Dr. Klimek to visualize high-contrast and natural images. Better vision is the key to improving the quality of the examination and the root canal treatment. The illumination puts light where it is needed, all the way down to the root canals of the tooth.
Improved Imaging: A picture is worth a thousand words. Images captured using a dental operating microscope during an examination are an excellent communication and education tool for helping you to understand your diagnosis better, and why root canal treatment may be necessary. It facilitates a step-by-step explanation which creates a high level of trust between you and Dr. Klimek. After all, seeing is believing.
Our use of a dental operating microscope is just one part of our commitment to providing you with the highest level of root canal treatment and the best, longest-lasting results.
