Endodontic FAQs

At NW Endodontics, these are some of the of the more frequently asked Endodontics Questions of our team.

Q) What is Endodontics?

A) Endodontics is a branch of dentistry recognized by the American & Canadian Dental Association involving treatment of the pulp (root canal) and surrounding tissues of the tooth. When you look at your tooth in the mirror, what you see is the crown. The rest of the tooth, the portion is hidden beneath the gum line, is called the root. Though the outer portion of the root is a hard tissue called dentin, the inside channel or œroot canal contains a pulp of soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. Bacteria that are introduced into the pulp as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fracture or other problems, can severely damage the pulp. When that happens, an endodontic specialist removes the diseased pulp to save the tooth and prevent further infection and inflammation. After successful endodontic treatment, the tooth continues to perform normally.

Q) I’m worried about x-rays. Should I be?

A) X-rays will be necessary during your endodontic treatment. We use advanced digital radiography that utilizes lower doses of radiation (up to 90 percent lower than those of already low dose conventional dental film x-rays). These digital images can further be optimized, archived, printed and sent to your dentist via e-mail.

Q) What about infection?

A) There’s no need for concern. We adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control set out by the Alberta Dental Association. We utilize autoclave sterilization and barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection.

Q) What happens after treatment?

A) When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your general dentist. Your dental office should be contacting you for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at NW Endodontics. Your dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is uncommon for patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. Please contact our office if you are experiencing post treatment problems.

Q) What new technologies are being used?

A) At NW Endodontics, we use the following technologies in our practice.

• Operating Microscopes

  • High magnification (4 to 16X) and fiber optic illumination are helpful in aiding the doctor to see tiny details inside your tooth. Cameras on the operating microscope can record images of your tooth to further document the procedure and the doctor’s findings. Surgical microscopes are now considered the standard of care in the specialty of Endodontics.

• Apex Locators

  • This is an electronic device used in endodontics to determine the position of the apical foramen (tip of the root) and thus determine the length of the root canal space. This device allows for an even higher precision during endodontic treatment.

• Ultrasonics

  • Since 1958 the use of ultrasonic technology has played a vital role in preventative, restorative and surgical, dental procedures. It was not until the 1990’s until this technology was incorporated in a variety of endodontic applications. Some of these uses include finding and accessing calcified canals, access enhancement, removal of intra-canal obstructions (i.e. posts, separated instruments, pulp stones), irrigation, and most well-known, root end surgical preparations.

If you have any questions about our Endodontic Services in NW Calgary,
please contact us using our handy contact form.