Click on the picture below to advance slides Recent advances in technology have greatly improved the field of Endodontics. Our office now uses the Waterlase Laser for canal enhancement, debridement, and sterilization of the canal systems. At this time, the Biolase Waterlase Laser is the first and only laser system to be approved by the FDA for Endodontic use As you know, the root canal is not essentially conical in nature as seen in the final Endodontic radiograph, it is a series of complex webs and lateral canals which can harbor bacteria causing reoccurrence of problems. Complicated anatomy makes thorough debridement of the canal through traditional instrumentation alone more difficult and at best disinfecting the canal. Another important benefit of this technology for laser Endodontic treatment is the high degree of patient comfort, both during and after the procedure. The laser provides pain free access into the root canal. If local anesthetic is ineffective or incomplete, a “Hot Tooth” can be opened without any further anesthesia or patient discomfort. With the bacteriacidal effects of laser, post-operative complications, such as inflammation, swelling and pain are almost eliminated and the need for analgesics is minimal. The laser assisted root canal is an important departure from how Endodontic therapy is normally approached. It combines classic instrumentation of the canal system with the anti-microbial and bio-stimulatory effects of laser enhanced healing. The Biolase Waterlase Dental Laser utilizes hydrokinetic energy for the elimination of organic debris and microorganisms that lie deep within the confines of the root canal system and dentinal tubules. This combination of laser-energy and water produces atomized water particles that remove the smear layer and penetrate deep into the dentinal tubules. Studies have shown that the Biolase Waterlase Dental Laser penetrates 10 times deeper into the dentinal tubules and surrounding tissue than conventional biomechanical cleansing. Thus, the use of the laser allows us to more thoroughly cleanse the root canal and make it less antigenic and more biocompatible. If you have any questions regarding this new treatment modality, please feel free to call me at any time. I am very excited about the prospects of this new technology and would be happy to discuss it further. I can also direct you to reference materials reguarding the use of lasers in Endodontic therapy if you wish. Our office would like to give all of our patients the benefit of Laser, Microscopic, Endoscopic, and Digital technologies. You can view an actual surgical incision with the laser here You can view a portion of a root canal using the laser try here Here we can watch an actual Laser curettage-taking place Click here for an Interactive Treatment Module Additional resources Endodontic (Root Canal) Treatment Cracked Teeth Endodontic Retreatment Endodontic Surgery Post-Treatment Care MYTHS about root canal treatment> Root Canal Treatment is Painful, Root Canal Treatment Causes Illness A Good Alternative Treatment to Root Canal is Extraction (Pulling the Tooth) #1 Root Canal Treatment is Painful Truth—Root canal treatment doesn't cause pain, it relieves it. Most patients see their dentist or endodontist when they have a severe toothache. The toothache can be caused by damaged tissues in the tooth. Root canal treatment removes this damaged tissue from the tooth, thereby relieving the pain you feel. The perception of root canals being painful began decades ago when root canal treatment was painful. But with the latest technologies and anesthetics, root canal treatment today is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. In fact, a recent survey showed that patients who have experienced root canal treatment are six times more likely to describe it as "painless" than patients who have not had root canal treatment. #2 Root Canal Treatment Causes Illness Truth—Root canal treatment is a safe and effective procedure. Research studies performed in the 1930s and 1940s and those conducted in later years showed no relationship between the presence of endodontically treated teeth and the presence of illness. Instead, researchers found that people with root canal fillings were no more likely to be ill than people without them.1,2 Over the past several years, however, a very small number of dentists and physicians have been claiming that teeth that have received root canal (endodontic) treatment contribute to the occurrence of illness and disease in the body. This claim is based on the outdated research performed by Dr. Weston Price from 1910-1930. His research stated that bacteria trapped in the teeth during root canal treatment can cause almost any type of disease, including arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, and others. The presence of bacteria in teeth and mouth has been an accepted fact for many years. But presence of bacteria does not constitute "infection" and is not necessarily a threat to a person's health.3 Bacteria are present in the mouth and teeth at all times, even in teeth that have never had a cavity or other trauma. More recent attempts to copy the research of Dr. Price (and to check its accuracy) have been unsuccessful. Researchers now believe that the earlier findings may have been caused by poor sanitation and imprecise research techniques that were common in the early 1900s.1 These more recent studies support the truth we report today—that teeth that receive proper endodontic treatment do not cause illness. #3 A Good Alternative Treatment to Root Canal is Extraction (Pulling the Tooth) Truth—Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is the very best option. Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause you to avoid certain foods. Keeping your own teeth is important so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet. Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant. Endodontic treatment also has a very high success rate. Many root canal treated teeth last a lifetime. Placement of a bridge or an implant will require significanly more time in treatment and may result in further procedures to adjacent teeth and supporting tissues. Millions of healthy endodontically treated teeth serve patients all over the world, years and years after treatment. Those healthy teeth are helping patients chew efficiently, maintain the natural appearance of their smiles and enhance their enjoyment of life. Through endodontic treatment, endodontists and dentists worldwide enable patients to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. These can be found in the Myths About Root Canal Treatment of the American Association of Endodontics
Click on the picture below to advance slides
Recent advances in technology have greatly improved the field of Endodontics. Our office now uses the Waterlase Laser for canal enhancement, debridement, and sterilization of the canal systems. At this time, the Biolase Waterlase Laser is the first and only laser system to be approved by the FDA for Endodontic use
As you know, the root canal is not essentially conical in nature as seen in the final Endodontic radiograph, it is a series of complex webs and lateral canals which can harbor bacteria causing reoccurrence of problems. Complicated anatomy makes thorough debridement of the canal through traditional instrumentation alone more difficult and at best disinfecting the canal.
Another important benefit of this technology for laser Endodontic treatment is the high degree of patient comfort, both during and after the procedure. The laser provides pain free access into the root canal. If local anesthetic is ineffective or incomplete, a “Hot Tooth” can be opened without any further anesthesia or patient discomfort. With the bacteriacidal effects of laser, post-operative complications, such as inflammation, swelling and pain are almost eliminated and the need for analgesics is minimal. The laser assisted root canal is an important departure from how Endodontic therapy is normally approached. It combines classic instrumentation of the canal system with the anti-microbial and bio-stimulatory effects of laser enhanced healing.
The Biolase Waterlase Dental Laser utilizes hydrokinetic energy for the elimination of organic debris and microorganisms that lie deep within the confines of the root canal system and dentinal tubules. This combination of laser-energy and water produces atomized water particles that remove the smear layer and penetrate deep into the dentinal tubules. Studies have shown that the Biolase Waterlase Dental Laser penetrates 10 times deeper into the dentinal tubules and surrounding tissue than conventional biomechanical cleansing. Thus, the use of the laser allows us to more thoroughly cleanse the root canal and make it less antigenic and more biocompatible.
If you have any questions regarding this new treatment modality, please feel free to call me at any time. I am very excited about the prospects of this new technology and would be happy to discuss it further. I can also direct you to reference materials reguarding the use of lasers in Endodontic therapy if you wish.
Our office would like to give all of our patients the benefit of Laser, Microscopic, Endoscopic, and Digital technologies.
You can view an actual surgical incision with the laser here
You can view a portion of a root canal using the laser try here
Here we can watch an actual Laser curettage-taking place
Click here for an
Interactive Treatment Module
Additional resources
Endodontic (Root Canal) Treatment
Cracked Teeth
Endodontic Retreatment
Endodontic Surgery
Post-Treatment Care
MYTHS about root canal treatment>
#1 Root Canal Treatment is Painful
Truth—Root canal treatment doesn't cause pain, it relieves it.
Most patients see their dentist or endodontist when they have a severe toothache. The toothache can be caused by damaged tissues in the tooth. Root canal treatment removes this damaged tissue from the tooth, thereby relieving the pain you feel.
The perception of root canals being painful began decades ago when root canal treatment was painful. But with the latest technologies and anesthetics, root canal treatment today is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. In fact, a recent survey showed that patients who have experienced root canal treatment are six times more likely to describe it as "painless" than patients who have not had root canal treatment.
#2 Root Canal Treatment Causes Illness
Truth—Root canal treatment is a safe and effective procedure.
Research studies performed in the 1930s and 1940s and those conducted in later years showed no relationship between the presence of endodontically treated teeth and the presence of illness. Instead, researchers found that people with root canal fillings were no more likely to be ill than people without them.1,2
Over the past several years, however, a very small number of dentists and physicians have been claiming that teeth that have received root canal (endodontic) treatment contribute to the occurrence of illness and disease in the body. This claim is based on the outdated research performed by Dr. Weston Price from 1910-1930. His research stated that bacteria trapped in the teeth during root canal treatment can cause almost any type of disease, including arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease, and others.
The presence of bacteria in teeth and mouth has been an accepted fact for many years. But presence of bacteria does not constitute "infection" and is not necessarily a threat to a person's health.3 Bacteria are present in the mouth and teeth at all times, even in teeth that have never had a cavity or other trauma.
More recent attempts to copy the research of Dr. Price (and to check its accuracy) have been unsuccessful. Researchers now believe that the earlier findings may have been caused by poor sanitation and imprecise research techniques that were common in the early 1900s.1
These more recent studies support the truth we report today—that teeth that receive proper endodontic treatment do not cause illness.
#3 A Good Alternative Treatment to Root Canal is Extraction (Pulling the Tooth)
Truth—Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is the very best option.
Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause you to avoid certain foods. Keeping your own teeth is important so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet.
Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant.
Endodontic treatment also has a very high success rate. Many root canal treated teeth last a lifetime.
Placement of a bridge or an implant will require significanly more time in treatment and may result in further procedures to adjacent teeth and supporting tissues.
Millions of healthy endodontically treated teeth serve patients all over the world, years and years after treatment. Those healthy teeth are helping patients chew efficiently, maintain the natural appearance of their smiles and enhance their enjoyment of life. Through endodontic treatment, endodontists and dentists worldwide enable patients to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime.
These can be found in the Myths About Root Canal Treatment of the American Association of Endodontics
