All dentists, including your general dentist, received training in endodontic treatment in dental school. General dentists can perform root canal procedures, but they often refer patients needing endodontic treatment to a specialist. A general dentist will very often have a team of trusted specialists to which he or she refers patients.

Like many medical terms, ‘endodontic’ is Greek; it comes from “endo” – meaning inside – and “odont” – meaning tooth. An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in saving teeth. Any dentist, if they so choose, can specialize in endodontics. After completing dental school, a specialty in endodontics requires an additional two (or more) years of advanced training. The program dives deep into the diagnosis and treatment of dental pain. Endodontists perform routine, as well as difficult and very complex, root canal procedures including endodontic surgery and the treatment of traumatic dental injuries.

We do not charge for radiographs (x-rays) taken in our office. If your referring doctor has taken radiographs that you would like Dr. Duggan to evaluate, please bring them with you to your appointment or have your referring doctor’s office email them to us at office@dugganendo.com.

Often there is diagnostic value in exposing radiographs at multiple angles of a questionable tooth to assist in the visualization of the pathology. Endodontic procedures themselves sometimes require the exposure of multiple radiographs while they are happening.

*Please note: If you are pregnant, Duggan Endodontics will use caution when choosing to expose radiographs and you will be double draped with lead aprons.

If you have questions or concerns about the amount of radiation you are receiving, please ask.

If you think you might need a root canal, signs to look for include: pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, a ‘pimple’ on the gum, discoloration of the tooth, swelling, drainage, and tenderness in the lymph nodes or gums. However, it is not uncommon to have no symptoms at all.

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Yes, for most root canal treatments, we recommend that patients return to the office one year after the procedure is finished. Our office will send a reminder notice to you when you are due for a recall appointment.

You should not chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible. Otherwise, you need only to practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings.

The pulp is the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It lies within the tooth and extends from the pulp chamber in the crown of the tooth to the tip of the root and into the bone of the jaws.

We take every measure to ensure no pain is induced during the endodontic procedure. If treatment is needed, we will inject an anesthetic to profoundly numb a concentrated area of your mouth. For most patients, the feeling of numbness usually subsides after 2-3 hours. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. Your body needs time to repair the damage that the original irritant caused. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Dr. Duggan will provide you with thorough instructions for managing any discomfort. Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different than your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure, or pain that lasts more than a few days, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

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When the infected pulp is not removed, pain and swelling can result. Byproducts of the infection can injure your jawbones and promote bone loss. In addition, without treatment, you might end up losing the tooth.

When the pulp is diseased or injured and cannot repair itself, it dies. The most common cause of pulp death is a cracked tooth or a deep cavity. Both of these problems allow bacteria to enter the pulp. Bacteria can lead to an infection inside the tooth. Without treatment, pus builds up at the root tip (in the jawbone) and forms a “pus-pocket” – also called an abscess. An abscess can cause damage to the tissues around the tooth. The damage can lead to bone loss and create a hole in your jawbone.

The cost varies depending on which tooth is affected and the complexity the problem. Molars are more difficult to treat, thus the fee is usually higher. Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than the alternative: tooth extraction and replacement. An extracted tooth must be replaced with a bridge or an implant to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration.

Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth can’t be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored. However, recent advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even just a few years ago would have been lost. When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.