When you have a dental health concern about one or more of your teeth, the best option is always to keep your natural teeth! Often, the only alternative to endodontic treatment (also known as root canal treatment) is extraction of the tooth.
That’s followed by implant surgery or the placement of a bridge, and although these are common treatments nowadays, endodontic treatment should be your first consideration.
If you’re told by Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants that you need a root canal or endodontic treatment, you will probably have some questions. We'll try to answer some of them here.
What is endodontic treatment?
The most common type of endodontic treatment performed at our Worcester office is called an apicoectomy. In this procedure, Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants will surgically open the gum tissue, remove infected or inflamed material from the underlying bone, and remove the tip of the root.
Who needs endodontic treatment?
Usually, endodontic treatment is recommended for patients who have persistent pain or symptoms that can’t be detected by other, non-surgical means such as X-rays or a visual examination. This means typically the tooth has a hairline fracture or a small canal that’s causing discomfort. There are also cases where a patient may have a canal that has become calcified.
Why do I need surgery?
By performing a root canal, Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants can examine the entire root of the tooth to learn what is causing the discomfort and address it. So it’s not just a treatment but a means of diagnosis too. After the problem has been addressed, you will be able to keep your natural tooth and use it as you always have.
What’s the benefit of root canal treatment as opposed to getting an implant or a bridge?
A root canal allows patients to keep their natural tooth. Nothing comes close to how a natural tooth looks and functions, no matter how advanced implant technology or bridges may become. Often, a tooth that’s undergone a root canal can last patients their entire lifetime without any need for further treatment.
What if I’ve had a root canal but still have pain?
In rare cases, it’s possible that a tooth that has undergone a root canal could become inflamed or infected again. If this is the case, other surgical options may be able to save your tooth.