What is endodontics (root canal therapy)?
Endodontics is a specialty of dentistry recognized by the American Dental Association dealing with treatment of the pulp and surrounding tissues of a 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 the root. The outer portion of the root is a hard tissue called dentin. The inside channel, or root canal, contains the pulp, a soft tissue consisting of blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria introduced into the pulp because of tooth decay, periodontal disease, or a fracture can cause inflammation, pain and severe damage to the pulp.
Who performs endodontic treatment?
Root canal treatment can be performed by your general dentist or by an endodontic specialist.
Westchester Putnam Endodontic Associates are leaders in endodontic care – the dental specialty devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of oral and facial pain. After our dental education, we have completed two years of additional university training in an accredited advanced specialty education program in endodontics. Because we are specialists, we limit our practice to endodontics. We perform routine as well as highly complex procedures with an emphasis on retreatments and treatment of the medically complex patient.
What happens after treatment?
When your root canal therapy has been completed, we will send a record of the treatment to your general dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion of treatment at our office. Meanwhile, to prevent fracture, avoid eating on the treated tooth until it is restored. Your dentist will consult with you about what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth.
Will I need a check-up appointment?
Yes. You will be invited to return to our office for periodic examinations to ensure complete healing of your tooth.
What about infection control?
Our offices adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control, as advocated by the US Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association. We are members of the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP), an organization dedicated to advancing infection control. We utilize autoclave sterilization and barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection.
