At Grand River Endodontics, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive, effective endodontic care. It’s how we achieve our mission, which is to improve the health and well-being of every patient who seeks our care.
While success is measured in the efficiency and success of our endodontic procedures, we also believe it’s important to go the extra mile to make sure our patients are informed, comfortable and confident in the care they receive.
Here’s our patient-first commitment to you:
If you have any questions about our comprehensive endodontic capabilities, please call our office today.
A root canal is performed on a tooth that is so severely decayed or infected that it is in danger of being lost. This can be the result of deep decay, a crack or chip in the tooth, an injury to the tooth, or repeated procedures on the tooth. With root canal therapy, we remove the nerve and vascular tissue (pulp) from the root and pulp chamber as well as any decayed tooth structure. This procedure also allows for the root and the base of the tooth itself to remain in place. At Grand River Endodontics, we utilize today’s latest techniques and materials along with the extra-gentle touch that you will appreciate.
THE ABC’S OF ROOT CANAL THERAPY.
With this procedure, we gently remove the infected or inflamed pulp and then carefully shape and sterilize the inside of the canal with nickel-titanium instruments. We use a state-of-the-art apex locator to aid in determining the precise location of the root end; it also minimizes the number of digital X-rays required during treatment. The canal is then filled and sealed with warm gutta-percha using the vertical compaction technique. We use handpieces that offer minimum vibration. In addition, our ultrasonic equipment features diamond-coated tips, the small size of which preserves the tooth’s structure and provides more precise treatment.
FOLLOWING ROOT CANAL THERAPY
Our doctor can perform most root canals in a single visit; the more difficult cases might require a second appointment. Once your root canal has been completed, we will send a written report and digital X-ray promptly to your referring dentist. You will then return to you dentist to get a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. Although extremely rare, a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy could become painful or diseased months or even years later. For these cases, our doctor may perform root canal retreatment or root end surgery, also known as apicoectomy.
For more information on root canal therapy, call our office today.
While root canal therapy offers an extremely high success rate, some patients have an endodontically treated tooth that fails to heal - or is causing pain - months or even years after successful treatment. When this occurs, the tooth may often be saved by root canal retreatment, which the doctor at Grand River Endodontics performs.
WHY A SECOND ROOT CANAL IS NEEDED.
There are several reasons that a tooth may not heal after initial root canal therapy. For starters, the anatomic structure of the tooth’s canal system can make treatment difficult; narrow or curved canals may go undetected. Next, tooth trauma can cause the root to fracture, which can cause an infection or cyst. Finally, new decay can expose the root canal filling material to bacteria and cause a new infection. This can be the result of a loose, cracked, or broken crown or filling.
ABOUT ROOT CANAL RETREATMENT.
With root canal retreatment, our doctor gently reopens the canals and removes the infection. The canals are then sterilized and refilled with warm gutta-percha using the vertical compaction technique. In many cases, restorative material such as crowns and posts need to be removed in order to get to the root canal. Our doctor will always try to preserve the original crown, if possible. If the doctor determines that your existing crown is sealed and functioning properly, a small hole will be drilled in the crown that can later be restored by your general dentist. For patients who have complex curved canals or blockage in the canals, we may recommend root end surgery, also known as apicoectomy.
For more information on root canal retreatment, call our office today.
In the rare event that a tooth fails to respond to root canal therapy and root canal retreatment is not a viable option, root canal surgery may be necessary to save the tooth. This procedure is root end surgery, or apicoectomy. Dr. Sarah Lennan Masterson at Grand River Endodontics is able to perform apical surgery efficiently while maintaining maximum patient comfort.
HOW ROOT END SURGERY IS PERFORMED
With root end surgery, a tiny incision is made in the gum tissue near the tooth to expose the underlying bone and root of the affected tooth. Next, the doctor gently removes the infected tissue at and around the root and removes the root tip. The area is then disinfected and a small filling is placed in the root tip to provide a seal.
The gum is placed back into position and sutured. After a brief healing period the gum tissue returns to normal and, after several months, the bone around the root end heals and all symptoms should be alleviated.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY.
Following your root end surgery, you may experience mild discomfort and some swelling while the incision heals. This is normal for any surgical procedure. To alleviate any discomfort, the doctor will recommend the appropriate pain medication.
For more information on root end surgery or any of the other endodontic procedures available at Grand River Endodontics, call our office today.