Endodontists are specialists who have completed an additional two to three years of advanced training beyond dental school, they have incredible precision and hand-eye coordination, making them highly skilled in performing complex treatments. Their additional training focuses on diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal treatment and other procedures relating to the interior of the tooth (dental pulp). 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 an endodontic specialist. They use the most specialized and advanced technology like Digital radiographs, 3-D imaging (CBCT Scans), and the use of surgical operating microscopes to treat tooth pain and perform root canal treatment. In many cases, a diseased tooth can be saved with endodontic treatment.

They also specialize in techniques to ensure patients are thoroughly comfortable during their treatments. They are experts in administering numbing medications, especially in patients who traditionally have problems getting and staying numb. In addition to treating you comfortably, patients will be relieved of tooth pain after their treatment when the pulp infection or inflammation heals.

The treatment consists of three or four basic steps, but the number of visits will depend on your particular case.  Most treatments take 2 visits but occasionally 3 appointments are needed.

In any case, it depends on the degree of infection/inflammation and degree of treatment difficulty.  To me, it's more important to do it the very best we can than to meet a specific time criteria. There are, of course, no guarantees.  Root canal or endodontic therapy has a very high degree of success, up to 90%.  Teeth which can be treated near ideal have a success rate up to ninety percent!  We will discuss with you the chances of success before any endodontic procedure to help you make an informed decision.  If a root canal or endodontic therapy is unsuccessful or fails you still have options.

Oral pain such as toothaches or cracked / fractured teeth can often be difficult to pinpoint.  Because of the vast network of nerves in the mouth, 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.