Root Canals
Endodontics, also called root canal therapy, is the area of dentistry that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of the diseased dental pulp. The pulp is the small amount of soft tissue containing minute nerves and blood vessels within the tooth. During initial tooth development the pulp is responsible for the formation and growth of the hard part of the tooth. After the crown and root(s) of the tooth have matured, the pulp tissue remains locked inside the tooth in a small root canal space.During a lifetime, the pulp may become diseased due to a variety of reasons (decay, trauma, deep fillings, cracks). The inflamed pulp can quickly cause pain and even infection of the surrounding bone and soft tissue. Elimination of the diseased pulp can be accomplished in two ways: saving the tooth by performing endodontic therapy, or extracting the tooth.
Retaining the tooth prevents the loss of function (chewing ability), movement of adjacent teeth and unwanted cosmetic changes. Root canal treatment can be very predictable and enjoys over a 95% success rate. Endodontics specializes in this area of dentistry exclusively and their practice is designed to optimize the likelihood of success.
If you choose endodontic treatment, the endodontist will provide you with outstanding care and support. Prior to treatment, they will routinely administer local anesthetics, which will insure your comfort while the diseased pulp tissue is being removed. They will then thoroughly clean and shape the root canal space and seal this space with a root canal filling. They can usually accomplish this procedure in one or two visits. After they have completed your treatment, they will a report to us, and you will be advised to return to us to have a permanent filling, post & core and crown placed on your tooth.
The use of operating microscopes and enhanced vision with magnifying telescopes has made it possible for the endodontist to correct problems that may have previously been difficult or impossible to detect, resulting in better diagnosis and more predictable treatment.
Root Canal Specialists
I work with several Root Canal Specialists, who provide excellent care.
Endo Inc.
Dr. Arnold Malloff- Dr. Sandra Makkar- Dr. Carlene Tsai
85 Constitution Lane, Danvers MA (978) 750 4500
Boston Endodontics
Dr. Wolov- Dr. Gabe- Dr. Rosen- Dr. Singer
50 Salem ST Building A Lynnfield MA (781) 245 8828
North Shore Endodontics
6 Essex Center Drive Peabody (978) 532 0500
Andover Endodontics
140 Willow ST North Andover (978) 686 3500