FAQ

Most Popular Questions Patient

Specialist Endodontist is a dentist who specialises in saving teeth.   Endodontists receive three or more years of advanced education in Endodontics following general dentistry school.   As a result of the specialist training,  endodontists are skilled in finding the cause of oral and facial pain, treating traumatic injuries to the tooth,  diagnosing cracked tooth and performing other procedures that save teeth.

As endodontists,  limiting our practice solely to endodontic treatment,  we perform routine as well as difficult and very complex procedures,  including root canal treatment,  root canal retreatment and endodontic microsurgery.   We use the most advanced technology in the field and we are therefore most efficient and precise.  This equates to positive experiences and faster healing.

We offer tremendous flexibility in accommodating emergency cases,  so delays in treatment are kept to a minimum and patients can be relieved of dental pain quickly.   We are also readily available for post-treatment questions or concerns.

A local anesthesia is used before any root canal therapy so please eat a full breakfast or lunch,  if possible as it might be difficult to eat once you are still numb after the procedure.

We like our patients to feel comfortable and relaxed.   Feel free to bring a sweater to keep you warm and headphones if you prefer to listen to your favorite music while in the dental chair.

For most patients, the feeling of numbness after local anaesthesia usually subsides after 1-4 hours. Please do not eat anything “hot or cold” or drink anything “hot” during this period.

After your root canal treatment or retreatment,  it is normal to feel some tenderness in the area over the next few days as your body undergoes the natural healing process.   It will take time to repair the irritated and inflamed tissues that support your tooth in the jawbone.   Your tooth will be tender to biting for the first few weeks and you may notice a difference in biting for even a few months. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm.   Please follow below:

  • Do not eat anything or drink hot beverages until the numbness in your mouth wears off. This will prevent you from biting your cheek or tongue.
  • Do not chew or or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist.  
  • Be sure to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would.
  • Please contact your dentist as soon as you are in no pain to have the final restoration done on the treated tooth.

Contact our practice right away if you develop any of the following:

  • swelling inside or outside of your mouth;
  • an allergic reaction to medication, normally indicated by rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction);
  • a return of original symptoms; or
  • your bite feels uneven.

For most patients, the feeling of numbness after local anaesthesia usually subsides after 1-4 hours.   Do not eat anything or drink hot beverages until the numbness in your mouth wears off.

Please note that there is a small risk of pain and discomfort which can probably controlled with pain killers.

To control swelling,  use an ice bag over the surgical area.   Alternate keeping the ice bag on the site for 15 minutes,  then off for 15 minutes.   Keep alternating with the ice bag for the first 6 –8 hours after surgery.

Do not raise your lip to examine the surgical site for at least 24 hours.   This can tear the very thin sutures.   Please leave them alone.

Brush normally but gently,  and only use electrical toothbrush on the surgical area from the third day after the surgical procedure day.   From the third day after the surgical procedure day you can use your mouthwash (corsodyl) twice a day for at least two days after having the sutures removed to clean the surgical area. Alternatively,  you can use hot salt mouthwashes (1 teaspoon of salt dissolved into a glass of warm water) every 3-4 hours until the sutures are removed to improve healing.

Maintain a soft nutritious diet.   Avoid eating on the surgical area for two days.   Be sure to drink large amounts of liquids.

The following are expected and should cause no concern:

Slight oozing of blood for 24-36 hours.

Swelling within 24 hours, and may come and go over the course of a few days.

Mild discomfort.

Discoloration or bruising of the skin.

Do not participate in athletic activity for the first day.

Keep your post-op appointment to have the sutures removed.

Should any difficulties or questions arise,   please do not hesitate to call the practice at any time at 023 9275 4333.

When your root canal therapy has been completed,  a record of your treatment will be sent to the dentist who referred you.   We advise you return to your general dentist between two to six weeks after your root canal treatment/retreatment is completed to have your final restoration done unless advised differently by us.   This amount of time will allow most of your tenderness to subside before having further procedures done on your tooth.   If your tooth does not get the necessary final restoration (crown or filling) and the temporary filling wears out,  the root canal will become infected and need retreatment,  microsurgery or extraction.

 The final restoration is either a filling or a crown and will be placed to protect your tooth from fracture and further contamination and restore your tooth to its full function.   As the unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture,  please do not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have it restored by your dentist.

When your surgical procedure has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to the dentist who referred you.   We advise you return to your general dentist for routine appointments.

We know that many patients have a very high level of dental fear and anxiety when it comes to root canal treatment.   The goal of our practice is to minimize discomfort and anxiety,  allowing fearful patients to receive the care they need.   Our team is specially trained to take care of individuals who need the extra care and attention.

Most Popular Questions Procedures

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

A root canal treatment is needed when the soft tissue located in a canal inside the root of a tooth,  known as the pulp, experiences inflammation or infection.   The pulp is like the “heart of the tooth” and it contains blood vessels, nerves and soft tissues. The anatomy inside of a tooth is very complex and most of the times a single tooth presents more than one canal. 

Inflammation or infection can occur as a result of several things including deep decay,  repeated dental procedures,  faulty fillings or crowns, or trauma to the tooth.   Your dentist will search for signs,  symptoms or abnormality in the radiography prior to refer you to a root canal specialist (Specialist Endodontist).   Signs of pulp damage include pain,  prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold,  discolouration of the tooth,  and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums.   However,  sometimes you may not experience any symptoms but still be in need of endodontic treatment and if left untreated,  it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

Specialist Endodontist is a dentist who specialises in saving teeth.   Endodontists receive three or more years of advanced education in Endodontics following general dentistry school.  As a result of the specialist training, endodontists are skilled in finding the cause of oral and facial pain,  treating traumatic injuries to the tooth,  diagnosing cracked tooth and performing other procedures that save teeth.

As endodontists,  limiting our practice solely to endodontic treatment,  we perform routine as well as difficult and very complex procedures,  including root canal treatment,  root canal retreatment and endodontic microsurgery. We use the most advanced technology in the field and we are therefore most efficient and precise.   This equates to positive experiences and faster healing. We offer tremendous flexibility in accommodating emergency cases,  so delays in treatment are kept to a minimum and patients can be relieved of dental pain quickly.   We are also readily available for post-treatment questions or concerns.

Endodontic treatment usually can be completed in one appointment,  depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances.   We use local anesthesia in your tooth area and only start the treatment when we are sure you are fully numb.   A non-latex protective shield called dental rubber dam is placed to isolate your tooth to keep it clean and dry during the procedure,  avoiding further contamination.   An opening in the crown is made and with the help of a dental microscope we locate the canals,  remove the infected or dental pulp,  clean, shape and disinfect the canals.   The canals are then filled with a biocompatible material and a temporary filling is placed over the access opening to protect your roots from being exposed or contaminated until you return to your general dentist for your final restoration.

A local anaesthesia is used and we also take every measure to ensure that your procedure is in no way uncomfortable or painful.   For most patients,  the feeling of numbness usually subsides after 2-3 hours.   It is normal for teeth to be sore for a few days after root canal treatment.   Some teeth,  particularly ones that have been problematic for a while,  may take a few months to settle.   This discomfort is normally from the inflamed supporting tissues.

When your root canal therapy has been completed,  a record of your treatment will be sent to the dentist who referred you.   We advise you return to your general dentist between two to six weeks after your root canal treatment is completed to have your final restoration done unless advised differently by us. This amount of time will allow most of your tenderness to subside before having further procedures done on your tooth.   If your tooth does not get the necessary final restoration (crown or filling) and the temporary filling wears out,  the root canal will become infected and need retreatment,  microsurgery or extraction.

 The final restoration is either a filling or a crown and will be placed to protect your tooth from fracture and further contamination and restore your tooth to its full function.   As the unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture,  please do not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have it restored by your dentist.

ROOT CANAL RETREATMENT

A root canal retreatment is needed when the tooth does not heal as expected after initial root canal treatment.   Occasionally, the tooth can become painful or diseased months or even years after successful root canal therapy.   If your tooth has not healed or has developed new problems,  you have a second chance at saving your tooth through the root canal retreatment.

As with any dental or medical procedures, occasionally,  a tooth may fail to heal following the initial treatment for several reasons:  the final restoration was delayed following endodontic treatment;  narrow or curved canals were not treated in full during the first treatment;  complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first treatment;  the placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed following the endodontic treatment;  the restoration did not prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth (human saliva is full of bacteria that can cause disease if they find their way into the root canal system).   In addition,  new decay or fracture in the tooth,  defective crown or delay in fitting the crown after primary root treatment can expose the tooth to new infection. 

Advancements are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed,  so together with our expertise we use new technologies and techniques that were probably not available when you had the first root canal treatment.

Specialist Endodontist is a dentist who specialises in saving teeth.   Endodontists receive three or more years of advanced education in Endodontics following general dentistry school.   As a result of the specialist training,  endodontists are skilled in finding the cause of oral and facial pain,  treating traumatic injuries to the tooth,  diagnosing cracked tooth and performing other procedures that save teeth.

As endodontists,  limiting our practice solely to endodontic treatment,  we perform routine as well as difficult and very complex procedures,  including root canal treatment, root canal retreatment and endodontic microsurgery.   We use the most advanced technology in the field and we are therefore most efficient and precise.   This equates to positive experiences and faster healing.   We offer tremendous flexibility in accommodating emergency cases,  so delays in treatment are kept to a minimum and patients can be relieved of dental pain quickly.    We are also readily available for post-treatment questions or concerns.

Endodontic retreatment usually can be completed in one appointment,  depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances.   We use local anesthesia in your tooth area and only start the treatment when we are sure you are fully numb.   A non-latex protective shield called dental rubber dam is placed to isolate your tooth to keep it clean and dry during the procedure,  avoiding further contamination.   An opening in the crown is made and with the help of a dental microscope we locate the canals and the root filling material. In many cases, complex restorative materials like crowns and posts must be disassembled and removed to permit access to the root canals.   After removing the canal filling, a search for any additional canal,  hidden fracture or unusual anatomy that requires treatment is thoroughly done before cleaning,  shaping and disinfecting the canals.  The canals are then filled with a biocompatible material and a temporary filling is placed over the access opening to protect your roots from being exposed or contaminated until you return to your general dentist for your final restoration.

A local anaesthesia is used and we also take every measure to ensure that your procedure is in no way uncomfortable or painful.   For most patients,  the feeling of numbness usually subsides after 2-3 hours.   It is normal for teeth to be sore for a few days after root canal treatment. Some teeth, particularly ones that have been problematic for a while,  may take a few months to settle.   This discomfort is normally from the inflamed supporting tissues.

When your root canal therapy has been completed,  a record of your treatment will be sent to the dentist who referred you.   We advise you return to your general dentist between two to six weeks after your root canal treatment is completed to have your final restoration done unless advised differently by us.   This amount of time will allow most of your tenderness to subside before having further procedures done on your tooth.   If your tooth does not get the necessary final restoration (crown or filling) and the temporary filling wears out,  the root canal will become infected and need retreatment,  microsurgery or extraction.

 The final restoration is either a filling or a crown and will be placed to protect your tooth from fracture and further contamination and restore your tooth to its full function.   As the unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture,  please do not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have it restored by your dentist.

ENDODONTIC MICROSURGERY (APICECTOMY)

Endodontic microsurgery is needed when the tooth does not heal as expected after initial root canal treatment or root canal retreatment.   In some cases,  root canal treatment is insufficient to save your tooth.  In such a situation,  your endodontist may recommend alternative strategies, which may include endodontic microsurgery.   The endodontic microsurgery is a surgical procedure performed under microscope. As with any dental or medical procedures, occasionally,  a tooth may fail to heal following the initial treatment for several reasons.   There are several situations in which endodontic surgery can help save your tooth where normal root canal therapy would be lacking:

  • Surgery may be used for extensive diagnosis. Some patients have recurring symptoms, but no visible problems appear on their X-rays.   These cases can sometimes indicate a tiny fracture or break in the tooth structure or root that could not be detected during nonsurgical treatment.   In such a case,  endodontic microsurgery can give your endodontist a chance to thoroughly examine the tooth’s structure without relying on X-rays,  find the problem and provide treatment.
  • In some cases, calcium deposits make a canal too narrow for the cleaning and shaping instruments used in nonsurgical root canal treatment to reach the end of the root of the tooth. In this case,  when there is a “calcification”,  endodontic microsurgery would be needed for your tooth to be completely cleaned and sealed.
  • In some cases, a tooth may fail to heal after successful root canal treatment or retreatment. Symptoms or problems may persist, or reoccur later  –  possibly months or even years after the original procedure.   In these cases,  endodontic microsurgery can still be an option in order to save the remaining tooth.
  • If the tooth disease has spread to the surface of the tooth root or if an infection has spread into the surrounding bone, endodontic microsurgery may be required to treat these areas.

The most common type of endodontic surgery is called apicectomy,  or “root-end resection”.  When the tooth’s infection or inflammation spreads to the bone area around the tip of the tooth’s root after a root canal treatment or retreatment,  an apicectomy may be needed.

As with any dental or medical procedures, occasionally,  a tooth may fail to heal following the initial treatment for several reasons:  the final restoration was delayed following endodontic treatment;  narrow or curved canals were not treated in full during the first treatment;  complicated canal anatomy went undetected in the first treatment;  the placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed following the endodontic treatment;  the restoration did not prevent salivary contamination to the inside of the tooth (human saliva is full of bacteria that can cause disease if they find their way into the root canal system).   In addition,  new decay or fracture in the tooth,  defective crown or delay in fitting the crown after primary root treatment can expose the tooth to new infection. 

Advancements are constantly changing the way root canal treatment is performed,  so together with our expertise we use new technologies and techniques that were probably not available when you had the first root canal treatment.

Specialist Endodontist is a dentist who specialises in saving teeth. Endodontists receive three or more years of advanced education in Endodontics following general dentistry school.    As a result of the specialist training,  endodontists are skilled in finding the cause of oral and facial pain,  treating traumatic injuries to the tooth,  diagnosing cracked tooth and performing other procedures that save teeth.

As endodontists,  limiting our practice solely to endodontic treatment,  we perform routine as well as difficult and very complex procedures,  including root canal treatment,  root canal retreatment and endodontic microsurgery.   We use the most advanced technology in the field and we are therefore most efficient and precise.   This equates to positive experiences and faster healing.   We offer tremendous flexibility in accommodating emergency cases,  so delays in treatment are kept to a minimum and patients can be relieved of dental pain quickly.   We are also readily available for post-treatment questions or concerns.

As endodontists,  limiting our practice solely to endodontic treatment,  we perform routine as well as difficult and very complex procedures,  including root canal treatment, root canal retreatment and endodontic microsurgery.   We use the most advanced technology in the field and we are therefore most efficient and precise.   This equates to positive experiences and faster healing.   We offer tremendous flexibility in accommodating emergency cases,  so delays in treatment are kept to a minimum and patients can be relieved of dental pain quickly.    We are also readily available for post-treatment questions or concerns.

We use local anesthesia in your tooth area and only start the treatment when we are sure you are fully numb.   With the help of a dental microscope we locate the underlying bone through a window in the gum near the area and remove any inflamed and infected tissue.   The very end of the root is also removed.   A small filling may be placed to seal the end of the root canal to prevent it from attracting more infection,  this is termed “retrofilling”,  and a few stiches or suture are placed in the gum to help the tissue to heal properly.   Over the course of the next few months,  the existing bone tissue will gradually grow back in to replace the removed infected tissue.   Most patients are able to return to their normal routine as early as the day after their surgery.

In many cases,  the only alternative to endodontic surgery is the removal (or extraction) of the tooth.   After this procedure,  the tooth must be replaced with an artificial replacement  –  an implant,  bridge or denture  –  to restore the tooth’s function and to prevent the surrounding teeth from moving.   These alternatives usually require surgery or procedures on adjacent healthy teeth,  which means that endodontic surgery is not only cost-effective,  it is the most natural treatment for maintaining your oral health.

A local anaesthesia is used and we also take every measure to ensure that your procedure is in no way uncomfortable or painful.   For most patients, the feeling of numbness usually subsides after 2-3 hours.  It is normal for area to be sore for a few days after the surgical procedure or even for a slight swelling to occur while the incision heals.   We will discuss everything with you in your consultation prior to the surgery.   A Post-operative instructions will also be given to you together with a prescription of pain medication to alleviate the discomfort.

When your surgical procedure has been completed,  a record of your treatment will be sent to the dentist who referred you.   We advise you return to your general dentist for routine appointments.

 

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