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| HOME | SERVICES | ENDO FAQ | ENDO TECH | CAESY | CASE FILE | SMILE FILE | |||
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The following represents a typical endodontic case. Each phase of the treatment provides a general narrative |
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| Phase 1. Evaluation. This stage of endodontic treatment typically begins with a referral from your general dentist requesting the endodontist evaluate a particular tooth or area. Indicators can often be tooth sensitivity or soreness, information detailed on the endodontic FAQ page. The endodontist will utilize an array of tests to determine the problem area or areas and then inform the patient of their findings. |
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| Phase 2. Initiation of Treatment. Following the evaluation, the patient generally decides on the best course of treatment for the tooth in question. At this stage, if treatment is required and requested, the endodontist will 'open' up the problem tooth, remove the infected pulp, and place a medicated packing into the pulp chamber. This medication usually remains in place for 10 to 14 days, helping to ensure that the infecting bacteria is eliminated. The tooth opening will then be closed using a temporary material and a follow-up appointment will be set. |
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| Phase 3. Completion of Treatment. At the follow-up appointment, the endodontist will inspect the treated tooth to appraise the progress of the medication in eliminating the infection. If successful, the tooth will be re-opened, the medicated removed, and the root canal treatment initiated. The endodontist will begin to obturate the root canals themselves, cleaning and smoothing them with special files. Once confident that all debris has been removed and the canals are sufficiently prepared, the endodontist will fill the open canals with permanent filling materials. Finally, the endodontist will close off the root canals from infection with another placement of temporary sealant. In some cases, depending on the endodontist's evaluation of the tooth, a permanent restoration might be placed instead of a temporary one. |
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| Phase 4. Follow-Up.
Critical to the success of the endodontic treatment, a patient
will be directed to return to their general dentist for the placement of a permanent crown. It cannot be stressed enough how important this phase of the treatment is. The temporary seal used by the endodontist to 'close' of the areas of the root canal has a general lifespan of 4 weeks, or less. Following that time frame, it is certain that the temporary bond will be compromised and bacteria will begin to re-infect the treated area. Therefore, a patient who receives endodontics MUST complete the process by having a crown placed over the treated tooth by their respective general dentist. Failure to complete the process with a crown will ensure the reinfection of the endodontically treated tooth, often leading to a complete root canal retreatment or dental extraction. |
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