About Root Canals
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an endondontist?
An endondontist is a dentist with highly specialized training in diagnosing and treating problems associated with the inside of the tooth. Endodontists perform root canals, treat oral and facial pain and save natural teeth. There are approximately 4,000 active endodontists in the United States and 180 in Michigan.
Do I need an endondontist?
You may need endodontic treatment, including a root canal, if you are experiencing prolonged dental sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness of teeth to touch and chewing, or facial or oral swelling. More than 21 million endodontic procedures are performed nationally each year.
How do endondontist make diagnoses?
Endodontists are trained to use digital imaging, ultrasonics, operating microscopes and miniaturized dental instruments to make root canals quicker, more effective and virtually painless.
How many teeth are saved using a root canal procedure? Root canals save nearly 16 million teeth annually that would otherwise be
pulled.
What kind of schooling does an endondontist receive?
To become specialists, endodontists must obtain an undergraduate degree, complete dental school and an additional two or more years of advanced training in diagnosing and treating problems associated with the inside of the tooth. Every year in Michigan, the University of Michigan graduates four endodontists and the University of Detroit Mercy graduates 2-3 endodontists.
Tips from Michigan Endodontists:
Michigan endodontists offer the following tips as ways to avoid tooth decay and root infection:
- Wear mouth guards during contact sports to avoid tooth trauma or tooth fracture
- Brush and floss daily, see a dentist for professional cleaning twice a year to help prevent gum loss and bone loss
- Brush and floss daily, see a dentist for professional cleaning twice a year to help prevent tooth decay
- When experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity to hot and cold foods seek treatment immediately; small tooth cracks or nerve exposure can become worse or infected if not treated early
Myths About Root Canals
Myth #1 - Root canal treatment is painful.
Truth - Root canal treatment does not cause pain, it relieves it.
Most patients see their dentist or endodontist when they have a severe toothache.The toothache can be caused by damaged tissues in the tooth. Root canal treatment removes this damaged tissue from the tooth, thereby relieving the pain you feel.
The perception of root canals being painful began decades ago when root canal treatment was painful. But with the latest technologies and anesthetics, root canal treatment today is as easy as getting a filling.
Myth #2 - A good alternative to root canal treatment is extraction (pulling the tooth).
Truth- Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is the very best option.
Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause you to avoid certain foods. Keeping your own teeth is important so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet.
Saving your natural tooth should always be your first option. It is better to retain your natural tooth, rather than have foreign, man-made material such as a bridge or artificial implant inserted in your mouth. Endodontic treatment also has a very high success rate. Many root canal treated teeth last a lifetime.
Myth #3- Extraction is cheaper and quicker than having a root canal.
Truth- Most root canals performed by endodontists can be completed in a single appointment.
Replacing your natural tooth with an artificial implant or bridge can require multiple trips to the dentist and can be more expensive and more painful than a root canal.
Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp.
Placement with a bridge or an implant will require significantly more time in treatment and may result in further procedures to adjacent teeth and supporting tissues.
Myth #4- All root canals are the same.
Truth- Just like all teeth are different, all root canals are different.
The positioning in the mouth, number of roots per tooth, the shape of the root, and the degree of calcification - how opened or closed the canal spaces are - all factor into the success of a root canal, the end level of comfort the patient experiences, and the amount of time the procedure takes.