Endodontic FAQ

What is endodontics?

Endodontics is a branch of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association involving treatment of the pulp (root canal) and surrounding tissues of the tooth. When you look at your tooth in the mirror, what you see is the crown. The rest of the tooth – the portion hidden beneath the gum line – is called the root. The outer portion of the root is a hard tissue called dentin. The inside channel or “root canal” contains a pulp of soft tissue, blood vessels and nerves. A bacterial infection can be introduced into the pulp as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fracture or other problems that severely damage the pulp. When that happens, an endodontic specialist removes the diseased pulp to save the tooth and prevent further infection and inflammation. After successful endodontic treatment, the tooth continues to perform normally.

I’m worried about x-rays. Should I be?

No. While x-rays will be necessary during your endodontic treatment, we minimize the number of radiographs needed by utilizing electronic apex locators and an advanced non-film computerized system, called digital radiography.The digital images are produced a tradition levels up to 90 percent lower than those of already low dose conventional dental x-ray machinery. The x-rays can then be optimized, archived, printed and sent to your dentist via e-mail or regular mail. For more information on digital radiography, follow this link to Dexis.

In addition to digital radiography, we also have 3-dimensional cone beam CT that is sometimes recommended to evaluate larger areas or for more complex needs. Cone Beam CT is also a very low exposure radiograph compared to conventional medical CT. See “New Technologies” below or our Cone Beam CT page for more information.

What about infection?

Again, there’s 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 autoclave sterilization and barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection. These systems are monitored regularly to ensure efficiency and safety. Our staff members use masks, safety glasses, gloves and barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding patient protection.

What happens after treatment?

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist.You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office.Your dentist will decide what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery.However, if a problem does occur, please call our office or the number provided on your post-operative instruction sheet given at the end of your treatment.

What new technologies are being used?

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (Cone Beam CT):

One of the most significant advances in diagnosis and imaging of dental anatomy is three dimensional Cone Beam CT. The ability to visualize teeth and surrounding structures in 3-D isa major advancement in Endodontics and related dental fields. Imagine taking a conventional x-ray of a book; or better yet, imagine trying to read only 10 pages of that book at the same time – pages stacked one on top of the other. All the words would overlap and be impossible to read. Now imagine taking a 3-D CT of that book. Each page can now be read individually – seen from top-to-bottom, front-to-back and side-to-side – allowing full comprehension of the information. While 2-D digital x-rays are still the standard of care and adequate for most dental procedures, there are limitations. Cone Beam CT lets you see “all the pages,” which eliminates most of the shortcomings of 2-D radiography. Dr. Moore was the first Endodontist in the state of Tennessee to integrate this cutting edge technology into his practice.ConeBeam CT is rapidly changing the way we examine and diagnose. While it is not necessary to useCBCT onall procedures, it is a safe, effective way to overcome many challenges. And, unlike medical CT, the x-ray exposure is minimal -approximately equivalent to4 bite wing dental x-rays. Check out the movie below of an actual3-D model generated by our CBCT machine and Kodak software (other information and CBCT images are available on our CBCT page). Press the Play button below:

Operating Microscopes:

In addition to digital radiography and CBCT, we utilize special operating microscopes to improve clinical visualization. Magnification and fiber optic illumination are helpful in allowing Dr. Moore to see tiny details inside your tooth that might otherwise be missed. Also, a tiny camera on the operating microscope can record images of your tooth to further document significant findings.

Apex Locators

A device that electronically aids in determining the length of the root(s) of your tooth. The apex locator reduces the number of digital x-rays needed during the procedure and it helps us remove all the infection from inside your tooth by confirming an accurate length to clean and fill the tooth to.

Ultrasonic Instruments

A special Ultrasonic device can be used for surgical preparations of teeth, removal of calcification, removal of separated instruments or to locate small root canals. These ultrasonic instruments are also helpful in reaching and cleaning areas of the tooth that may not be accessible otherwise.