No. While x-rays will be necessary during your endodontic treatment, we use advanced high speed film and low dose dental x-ray machinery to keep exposures to a minimum. In addition, we use an advanced electronic root-length measuring technology which has further reduced the need for x-rays during endodontic treatment.
What about infection control?
Again, there's no need for concern. We adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control advocated by OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Dental Association. We utilize autoclave sterilization and barrier techniques to eliminate any risk of infection.
What happens after treatment?
When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact his office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. Please don’t chew on the tooth until your restorative dentist has placed the appropriate follow-up restoration for your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond.
What new technologies are being used?
Operating Microscopes:
Our office is equipped with operating microscopes. Magnification and fiber-optic illumination are invaluable tools that assist us in performing the technical aspects of endodontic treatment and are helpful in aiding the doctor to see tiny details inside your tooth.
Apex Locators:
We use advanced electronic root-length measuring technology to insure accuracy of instrumentation. These devices work by calculating resistance of tooth structure to provide a visual and audible signal indicating root length.
Ultrasonics
Our treatment rooms are equipped with sophisticated ultrasonic units which use diamond coated microscopic tips that vibrate up to 25,000 cycles per second to insure accurate and efficient preparation of the root canal. These instruments are also used to remove posts and metal instruments, as well as aid in the search for calcified canals. Ultrasonic instruments have dramatically improved techniques used to prepare the root-end for a root-end filling in cases when microsurgical intervention is indicated.
Nickel-Titanium Instruments
Cleaning and shaping of the root canal is aided by the use of metal instruments made of a unique alloy of nickel-titanium. Our special digital handpieces control high tech nickel-titanium instruments with great precision. These sterilized units sense when torque (tightness) approaches pre-set resistance levels, and they reverse rotation to adjust to these limits. We use both hand and rotary instruments along with a liquid antimicrobial agent to help remove bacteria and tissue.
