Procedures & New Technologies

What is an Endodontist and what could an Endodontist do for you?

Endodontists are dentists who specialize in saving and maintaining teeth through endodontic therapy, commonly known as "root canal treatment". Root canal therapy is one of the most common dental procedures performed on a daily basis. Well over 14 million people have root canals done every year. For more information Endodontist, please click here to see informative videos from American Association of Endodontists (AAE).

The word "endodontic" comes from "endo" meaning inside and "odont" meaning tooth. All dentists are trained in diagnosis and endodontic therapy, however, some teeth can be especially difficult to diagnose and treat. That’s why you may have been referred to see an Endodontist - root canal specialist who is trained to be provider of your dental care team.

In addition to dental school, Endodontists receive two or more years of advanced education and clinical training in both non-surgical and surgical Endodontic treatment. High quality operating microscope will be used throughout patient treatment for better visualization and magnification of both patient's teeth and oral cavity. Endodontists study root canal techniques and procedures in greater depth, for diagnosis and treatment of more difficult cases. For this reason, many dentists choose to refer their patients to endodontists.

Frequently, your general/family dentist may find difficulty in accessing / completing your root canal treatment due to the nature of complexity "curve, narrow, calcified" root canal space. To better treat and help our patients, we are equipped with state-of-art computer/monitor system, fiber-optic Carl Zeiss operating microscope, KODAK digital radiography, Enac quartz crystal piezoelectric ultrasonic systems - all together to help us in delivering quality treatment to our patients with efficiency and comfort.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography

In addition to our low-dose digital 2-Dimension (2D) radiography, our office is implementing the latest imaging technology 3-Dimensional Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) to help us to provide higher level of quality patient care. Dental CBCT (a variation of medical computed tomography system - Medical CT), uses an x-ray generator and detector that rotates around the patient to capture an undistorted 3D image. X-ray imaging, including CBCT, provides a fast, non-invasive way to visualize the teeth and maxillofacial anatomy. In collaboration of Zeiss microscopic visualization, we use CBCT imaging to provide specific clinical information on chair side during "image-guided" root canal treatment.

What is root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment is a procedure that helps to save natural teeth by removing infection and relieving inflammation associated with the tooth. . A root canal is needed when its dental pulp has been injured, infected or has become inflamed. Your natural tooth is precious and valuable where we should try to our best to save a tooth. In order to understand root canal therapy, the anatomy of a tooth is reviewed (diagram on the below).

Each tooth has two main parts: the crown (is above the gums) and the root (underneath the gums that holds the tooth in its place in the bone). Also, a tooth consists of enamel (hard white outer shell), dentin (hard calcified tissue that protects the pulp), and the dental pulp. The dental pulp is found in the center of the tooth and comprised of living soft tissues (nerve, blood vessels, and lymphatics). The dental pulp is also called the root canal system and is located in both the crown and root of the tooth

Dental Anatomy

What Happens During Endodontic Treatment?

Root canal therapy involves locating the entire root canal system, cleaning, shaping, and sealing it, to prevent recontamination by bacteria and other pathogen. With caring and gentle manner, a local anesthesia will be given prior to treatment and the anesthetized tooth/teeth will be tested before treatment. This will reassure patients that root canal procedure will be a "painless procedure". Following the delivery of local anesthesia, a sheet of "rubber dam" (both "latex" or "non-latex" are available) will be placed around the tooth to isolate it, hence keeping it clean and dry during treatment.

The treatment consists of three or four basic steps, but the number of visits will depend on your particular case. Some treatments take 2 visits but majority of the cases are just a single visit for your comfort / convenience. In any case, it depends on the degree of infection/inflammation and degree of case difficulty. Patient comfort and quality of treatment is our number one priority.

There are, of course, no guarantees. Root canal or endodontic therapy has a very high degree of success, up to 90% or more. Occasionally Endodontic retreatment and microsurgical periapical surgery (apicoectomy) or other relevant procedures may be needed to help patients to improve your overall oral health and functions.

Traumatic injuries (accidents or sports-related)

Occasionally the dental pulp / nerve tissue is injured, damaged, and infected following traumatic injuries. Pulp injuries can affect the development of a child's permanent teeth. Endodontist is specially trained to manage and treat teeth with trauma via specialized procedures (e.g. apexification, replanataion, etc)

Diagnoses and Treats Pain

Oral pain such as toothaches or cracked / fractured teeth can often be difficult to pinpoint and diagnose. Because of the vast network of nerves in the oral-facial region, the pain of a damaged or diseased tooth often is felt in another tooth and/or in the head, neck, or ear. An endodontist is a specialist in diagnosing and treating this type of pain.

IMPORTANT: Informed consent, patient education, and discussion with doctor will be given before any treatment.

Office Infection Control (please click on the link as we are certified with Compliance Alliance)

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. Affiliated private agency Compliance Alliance is present periodically to help us updating OSHA guidelines and proper office hygiene protocols.

4000 West Sahara Ave Suite 110

Las Vegas, NV 89102

Tel: (702) 749-4321

Fax (702) 749-4459

Email: info@apexendolv.com

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