FAQ’s

Endodontics is a branch of dentistry involving treatment of the pulp (root canal) and surrounding tissues of the tooth. The portion hidden beneath the gum line is called the root. Though 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. Bacteria that are introduced into the pulp as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fracture or other problems, can 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.

No, not all. While x-rays will be necessary during your endodontics 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.

RCT’s are performed to relieve the pain of tooth caused by inflammation or infection. With use of modern rotary techniques and apex locators, most patients today report improved comfort levels during and after the procedure.

We advise you not to chew anything hard on the treated site as unrestored tooth is susceptible for fracture. Secondly, a full restoration of tooth usually in form of crown or bridge may be required to reinforce the tooth structure and enhance function, integrity.

There are of course no guarantees for any treatment owing to dynamic nature of human body and disease processes. However, with the use of latest equipment at our clinics we can ensure a high degree of success rate. Further, follow up appointments should not be missed to evaluate your root canal treated teeth periodically once in 6 months – a year.

In cases of compromised tooth structure or extensive damage to supporting tissues like gums or bone we may recommend surgical procedures like apicoectomy and would also apprise you of the clinical success rate.

Most cases can be done in one visit, though complex cases may require additional appointments. You should plan on one to two hours for each visit. Because of the long appointments, we request that parents make arrangements for children to stay at home.

If a diseased or damaged pulp is not removed, the tooth and surrounding tissues may become inflamed and/or infected, eventually resulting in an abscess. Left untreated, ultimately the tooth will have to be removed.

Our own natural teeth are always best. Authorities agree that artificial substitutes do not function or appear quite as well as natural teeth. In addition, extraction and replacement is usually much more costly.

We use a CBCT x-ray machine in our clinic. CBCT stand for cone beam computed.  The CBCT machine is a safer, faster and more compact version of the regular CT-scan machines found in hospitals and imaging centers.  As a result, the CBCT delivers a much lower amount of radiation as compared to regular CT machines, but more than traditional x-ray.  The information gained from our 3D technology gives us many advantages and aids in the successful treatment of your tooth. We are the only clinic in tricity to use CBCT.

Periodontics is the treatment of the tissue surrounding the teeth. A periodontist is someone trained in this field and can diagnose, heal, and prevent periodontal disease.

There are a lot of services that both a general dentist and a periodontist can perform. They both go to four years of dental school, and are trained to perform many different procedures. After Dental school, a Periodontist has further training to specialize in the treatment of the gums. This additional training prepares them to diagnose and treat many kinds of gum issues using both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, and makes them uniquely qualified to treat complex cases.

Depending on your dental health and treatment plan, it is recommended that you see your periodontist between one and four times a year.

Periodontal disease is known as gum disease and it often starts out with the buildup of plaque at the gum line. If this plaque isn’t removed by flossing and brushing, it will gradually harden into “tartar” and continue building up even further, becoming harder and harder to get rid of. When this plaque buildup gets infected, the gums become irritated and swollen. This is called gingivitis and it’s the first step to periodontal disease, which must be prevented early because it can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and tooth loss.

Some symptoms of periodontal disease are hard to see because the infection grows underneath the gum. Be on the lookout for even small signs such as inflamed gums, Sore gums, Blood when flossing or brushing your teeth, Loose and shifting teeth, etc.

Not everyone needs periodontal surgery. If treated early, gum disease can be controlled without surgery. We will make recommendations based on your individual situation. Our philosophy of practice is to treat as conservatively as possible to attain treatment goals.

Recent advances in periodontal treatment allow us to successfully treat most teeth. We will be happy to discuss what can be done in your individual situation during your appointment.

Periodontal disease is a progressive, painless infection. Delaying treatment can cause additional bone loss, tooth loss, and more expense. Untreated disease may also result in reduction in function or aesthetics, and may have detrimental effects on your overall health.