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X-rays are a vital diagnostic tool for any dental professional. X-rays help your dentist locate cavities that aren’t easily visible, your orthodontist check the position of a tooth’s root, your oral surgeon discover a fracture. X-rays reveal what we can’t see with the naked eye—and that’s why they are an especially important tool for Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants.

“Endodontic,” after all, means “inside the tooth,” and refers to the pulp and roots within each tooth that hold tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. Endodontists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries that affect the inner tooth and its supporting tissue.

Why Are X-rays Necessary?

There’s a lot going on below the surface. An X-ray can reveal conditions such as infections and abscesses, major fractures and tiny cracks, and the health and density of the supporting structures and bone surrounding a tooth. All of this information helps your endodontist arrive at the best treatment plan for these and other endodontic procedures:

• Root Canals
• Apicoectomies (removing the tip of a root to treat recurring infection)
• Fractures or other injuries to a tooth
• Restoring an avulsed, or knocked out, tooth
• Implant placement

How Do X-rays Work?

Traditional X-rays, or radiographs, make use of film just like traditional cameras. When you have an intraoral X-ray, for example, the film is sealed in a moisture- and light-proof packet, and placed inside the mouth to capture images of specific teeth and the bone around them.

The X-ray machine is aligned precisely with the film and an exposure is taken. The image at this point is latent, and won’t show on the film, because, just like photo film, traditional radiographs need to be chemically processed before they produce a visible image.

Digital technology, on the other hand, uses an electronic sensor instead of film. For an intraoral digital X-ray, a small sensor is positioned in the mouth just like a film. When the X-ray is taken, a digital image capture device produces an image which is formed by a matrix of pixels instead of a photo-like film exposure. This format allows the image to be sent directly to a computer for immediate display without requiring processing.

Even though these methods seem very similar, digital X-rays offer some significant advantages over traditional films. Let’s look at how they compare, more or less.

• More Diagnostic Advantages

A traditional X-ray is a fixed image. It cannot be modified or enhanced. Here the digital X-ray offers a clear advantage in diagnosis.

Just as you can enlarge certain types of images on your computer without blurring or losing detail, a digital X-ray uses computer software to magnify images while keeping their details sharp. They can also be enhanced through brightness and contrast applications to make details stand out even more. Both of these benefits are extremely helpful for diagnosis, especially when looking for small injuries, subtle irregularities, or early signs of infection.

There is even digital subtraction radiography software available that can be used to compare recent images to older ones, removing (“subtracting”) all the similarities in the two images to display only the changes in the two—even small changes—that have taken place over time.

• Less Exposure to Radiation

Modern technology means traditional X-rays expose patients to less radiation than ever before, but digital X-rays have significant advantages here as well. Radiation exposure can be reduced by an additional 10%, 20%, or more with a digital radiograph.

Endodontic procedures often require several images of the tooth during each phase of treatment, and, while all types of dental X-rays expose you to very little radiation, it’s always best to reduce exposure whenever possible.

• More Convenient for Sharing and Transmitting

If you need to share your X-rays with another dentist or physician, digital technology allows you to simply have them e-mailed to another office or multiple offices. You no longer need to worry about preserving physical copies, either.

• Less Waste

Unlike traditional X-rays, digital X-rays don’t need to be processed, so you save time in the office. And while the processing time is not significant (usually several minutes), if you need to repeat some X-rays for a clearer picture, or require different images for several teeth, this time can add up.

Digital X-rays are also more eco-friendly.  The fact that they don’t need to be developed means that the chemicals used to process traditional films are no longer necessary—which also means that there is no need to dispose of chemical waste products afterward.

Our goal is to provide you with the safest, most efficient, and most effective treatment possible. Digital X-rays are an important tool for endodontists, helping us to diagnose endodontic conditions in the tooth and surrounding bone and to plan your treatment. If you have any questions about digital X-ray technology, contact our Worcester office. We’re happy to explain the science—and the benefits—of high-tech radiography.

While there is no definite evidence that if your prevent gum diseases, like periodontitis, that you may be able to prevent a heart condition or heart disease. The only thing experts, like Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants, know for sure is that if you take care of your gums it can lessen atherosclerosis, (build-up of artery clogging plaque) that may result in a heart attack or stroke.

Could periodontal disease cause heart attacks?

Regardless of your oral health, if you're at a high risk for heart disease, you need to take action.

• Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight.
• Consume healthy foods and beverages.
• Exercise several days the week. Walking is a powerful and lightweight exercise and will clear your head while helping your body get or stay healthy.
• Control any medical conditions you may have such as high cholesterol, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
• Reduce your stress. Have lunch with a friend, go for a walk in the park, take a bubble bath, mediate, or do whatever you find relaxing.
• Get a social life. Laughing reduces stress and “feel good” hormones. Everyone needs to feel like they are a part of something: join a book club or any activity where you can interact with other people at least once or twice a week
• Be sure to get enough sleep. The recommended amount is eight to nine hours a night. It has been proven that a lack of sleep increases your risk for angina, strokes, and heart attacks.
• Practice good oral hygiene to keep bacteria in check and your mouth healthy.

Contact our Worcester office if you have questions about your heart and oral health. If you take practice good oral hygiene, both your mouth and your heart will thank you.

What will my endodontic treatment include?

If you are in need of a root canal or any other type of root procedure, you have probably been referred to Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants. An endodontist is a dental professional who specializes in root canals. Because of the additional training they receive after completing dental school, endodontists are able to perform many different root therapy procedures. They are also prepared to do more precise work than your regular dentist. If you have been referred to Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants for endodontic treatment, you may likely expect the following:

• Anesthesia: Your endodontist will ensure your comfort during the procedure by providing either local or general anesthesia.
• Removal of the infected area: After your tooth is numbed, the endodontist will drill into it and remove the infected pulp.
• Cleaning the tooth: Once the inflamed area has been removed, your endodontist will carefully clean the inside of the tooth and shape it for the next step.
• Filling the tooth: After the tooth has been cleaned and prepped, the endodontist will fill it with a protective material and seal it to prevent further infection.

After a period of recovery time, you will return to your dentist to receive a crown or other protective element to restore your tooth to its original function.

What can I expect after the treatment?

While most patients come to endodontic treatment in considerable pain, many of them experience very little of that pain during or after a root canal. After the anesthesia wears off, your tooth may be a little bit sensitive for a few days, but the discomfort should be minimal compared to the pain you experienced when your tooth was infected. To relieve this pain, you may use over-the-counter pain relievers, or request a prescription in more severe cases.

Does my treated tooth need any special care?

After your endodontic treatment here at Central New England Endodontics and Implantology, your tooth will be somewhat vulnerable until you receive a crown or other restoration treatment from your dentist. To avoid any cracks or fractures in your treated tooth, try not to chew or bite on it until it has been restored to full capacity. If it hurts while you are eating, that is a strong indication that you should be more careful about where you chew your food. In addition, you should avoid chewing gum until your tooth is back to normal. Staying away from any unnecessary chewing can help prevent further damage to your treated tooth. Other than that, just remember to practice good oral hygiene and your tooth should be just fine! Recovering from your endodontic treatment can be easy and relatively painless if you follow these simple guidelines. Of course, if you have any further questions about your endodontic treatment you can always contact us at our Worcester office!

Drs. Manzoli, Russo, Pauk, Desrosiers, Sahakyants and our team at Central New England Endodontics and Implantology know this is an exciting time as you anticipate the arrival of your new little one. We want to take this opportunity to provide you with some important information pertaining to your oral health during pregnancy. Just as the rest of your body is changing, the amount of bacteria in your mouth also changes. Scientists don’t understand all the reasons why, but during pregnancy, your mouth is more susceptible to bacterial complications that could result in increased risk for gingivitis or periodontal disease. What researchers do know is the change in hormones creates a more favorable environment for gum infections and diseases when you are pregnant.

You may experience an increase in gingivitis, even while continuing with regular daily brushing and flossing, and routine semi-annual month cleanings. You will likely complain of increased bleeding of the gums with routine daily care and more tenderness in the mouth. This is due, in part, to the increased blood flow and volume that naturally occurs with pregnancy. There is a greater amount of blood flowing through your veins, which translates into slightly engorged gum tissues. If gingivitis prevails, you may also experience pain and tenderness. We can help you navigate through your specific needs.

Brushing your teeth two times a day may not be quite enough. Similarly, if you only floss on occasion, consider making this activity a daily habit. Mouthwash is also advised, or sometimes a mild saltwater rinse may feel better than a commercial brand. Consider other products with xylitol and a WaterPik for additional cleaning.

Finally, we now know that bacteria in the mouth circulate throughout the body. These harmful bacteria compromise your immune system and may increase your risk for respiratory illness and cause other strains on your immune system. Remember that nutrients as well as pathogens are shared with your baby. If you feel tired or tempted to slack on your home-care routine, remember the importance and implications of your daily decisions on how your care for your oral health.

Contact our convenient Worcester location if you have more specific questions. We’re here to help you!