Endodontics

Oral Surgeon Sacramento

What should I expect at my endodontic appointment?

When you visit our office for an endodontic appointment you can expect to receive a comprehensive exam to diagnose orthofacial pain or damage to your dental pulp tissue. We will provide non-surgical treatment to eliminate any diseased pulp by removing the injured pulp. Then the root canal system is cleaned and sealed. Surgery may be required under certain circumstances.

For your convenience, we have provided information on this site regarding the endodontic procedures we perform as well as patient instructions following surgery.

Why is the Endodontist Requiring a CBCT Scan and Why it is Essential in Endodontics

Cone Beam Computed Tomography, or CBCT, is a type of medical imaging technique that has become increasingly vital to dentistry over the past decade, and especially within the field of endodontics. The important thing to know about CBCT imaging is that, unlike traditional dental x-rays, it allows for viewing of a tooth (or teeth) in three dimensions. This has tremendous advantages that have helped revolutionize several fields of medicine and are producing improved results in the world of endodontics. Here are several ways in which CBCT has vastly improved the treatment outcomes within the specialty of endodontics.

Better Dental Imaging Means Better Results

Effective diagnosis is a key to effective treatment. Standard diagnostic devices, like X-rays and digital X-rays, only tell part of the story. In years past, that meant additional exploratory procedures on top of corrective ones. With cutting-edge Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scanners, dentists and endodontists can use 3D images to plan corrective procedures more effectively.

Ability to visualize cracks and fractures in teeth

Often times, teeth that require endodontic treatment also have fractures and/or cracks that can lead to pain or sensitivity even after the root canal is completed. In some cases, a crack in a tooth supersedes the need for a root canal altogether, if the crack in the tooth threatens the tooth’s survival, and may call for an extraction instead. By identifying these cracks without “opening the tooth up,” patients can be spared going under the drill or receiving treatments that are unnecessary.

Ability to visualize complex root systems

Many teeth have complex root anatomy that makes root canal treatment very challenging. By examining the tooth in 3D prior to the procedure, the endodontist can get a much clearer picture of the tooth’s anatomy and plan the procedure accordingly. This results in better treatment outcomes.

Ability to diagnose vague symptoms

It is not uncommon for patients to have toothaches whose symptoms do not seem to fit into any single diagnostic category. In years past, root canal treatments may have been performed that were not entirely necessary. Thanks to CBCT imaging, endodontists can pinpoint the diagnosis and prescribe the most efficient and appropriate treatment—whether that be a root canal or otherwise.

Ability to identify unique features of root systems

Although teeth tend to have a predictable number of canals, some teeth have “hidden” canals which can be easily missed during root canal treatment. CBCT makes these much easier to locate and identify them beforehand.

Ability to diagnose problems with previous root canals

It is not unusual for teeth that have already had root canals to present with uncomfortable symptoms. In some cases, root canals must be performed more than once on a tooth. With CBCT imaging, the endodontist can precisely locate the exact issue with the previous treatment, rather than simply retreat and hope for a better outcome.

It’s easy to see how CBCT technology has significantly changed the way root canals are performed. In addition, this is yet another reason why choosing an endodontist rather than a general dentist for your root canal is in your best interest. Endodontists are not only experts at performing root canals, but also at diagnosing tooth issues that originate within or around the root—the type of problems that are often only seen with CBCT imaging.