Clear Lake Endodontics

Root canal retreatment is performed when the patient has undergone unsuccessful root canal therapy. The reasons for such failure may be any of the following:

a.    Incomplete Cleaning
Proper cleaning and sealing of the root canals is a must to make the root canal therapy successful. In certain cases, the irritants inside your tooth may remain inspite of thorough cleaning and cause pain. This usually happens when the canals are very narrow, curved or hardened, making it difficult to clean with regular instruments.

b.    Leakage
Decay or loss of restoration from the tooth above the level of bone can lead to leakage from the top of the tooth. This lets in bacteria that enter the roots and disrupt the sealer.

Steps of Root Canal Retreatment

To begin with, a local anesthetic is given and a rubber dam placed around the affected tooth. Mostly, the retreatment takes 1-3 visits, depending on the degree of infection and difficulty of treatment required.

Step 1:  By making an opening in the restoration area, the old filling material is removed. This is done with the help of advanced endodontic tools and a microscope for better vision.

Step 2:  The next step involves removal of Post and other obstructions with a post remover. An ultrasonic hand-piece can also be used to loosen the post.

Step 3: A softening agent may be used to remove the old root canal filling. For cleaning the canals, tiny instruments are used. Irrigants are also utilized to flush out debris and dissolve any material left from the initial treatment. If the procedure remains incomplete in one visit, the canals are medicated along with a temporary placement in the opening to protect the tooth.

Step 4: Once the cleaning process is complete, Gutta Percha is filled in the root canals. To seal them against bacteria, cement is used. After endodontic retreatment, the specialist will take X-rays to check whether the cleaning and filling of canals is done properly.

Follow-up Of Root Canal Retreatment

It is best to get your tooth examined every 6-12 months after root canal retreatment. This helps in verifying whether the endodontic therapy is effective and the tooth has healed.

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When you have undergone a root canal treatment, it is best to go for follow-up sessions with a Endodontist. Sometimes, this procedure may fail to remove infection from the tip or apex of the tooth. At such times, you will need to go for an Endodontic procedure known as Apicoectomy.

During root canal treatment, the infected nerve tissue underlying the tooth is removed and the canals are cleaned. These canal systems are very complicated and include various branches which may remain infected even after cleaning. This leads to re-infection and inflammation at a later stage.

Most root canal failures can be saved by additional treatment like Apicoectomy. It is performed under an operating microscope after root-canal procedure has already been done. The infected tissue as well as root tip or apex will be removed before a filling is placed to seal the root end.

In the process of Apicoectomy, the Endodontist will cut and lift the gum away from the affected tooth. The infected tissue and root tip are removed before applying a dye to detect cracks and breaks in the tooth. If there are large cracks in the tooth, it will need extraction and the Apicoectomy may be discontinued.

Lastly, the Endodontist will clean and seal the tooth canal under a special microscope with the help of ultrasonic instruments. This provides a clear view of the infected area and increases the chances of successful treatment. Before stitching the tissue back, an x-ray will be taken of the root tip.

On the whole, performing an Apicoectomy takes about 30 to 90 minutes. The time involved will depend on the tooth location and root structure. In case of front teeth, the procedure takes least time while lower molars require a long time to operate on.

After getting this Endodontic treatment, you will need to take medication for some time. It is recommended to apply ice to the area for 10 to 12 hours after surgery and take proper rest. Swelling and bruising may be experienced in the first few days while the pain can be controlled with prescription drugs. The stitches are removed after 2-7 days of the procedure and complete recovery can be expected within 14 days.

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The roots of your teeth are a very sensitive region in the mouth. If there is a swelling caused by flaring-up, the pain is simply unbearable. It gets impossible to chew food or even drink something. The ailing nerves will not even let you sleep without having medication or pills.

What lies beneath?
Under the teeth lies the root canal including the pulp, full of intricate tissues, vessels and nerves. The capillary runs from the base of the root of the tooth to the middle of the crown. Special care needs to be taken of this area. Even though the gums nourish the stream of blood, any wound on this pulp can cause a lot of trouble.

Here are the most common reasons found in patients ailing from the Root Canal pain:

Ignoring Minor Aches
A hard nut or chocolate can cause minor toothache. Such pains are usually ignored. Just taking a painkiller is a temporary solution to a potentially serious tooth problem. A fresh injury might reopen the wound and renew the pain. Ignoring these pains is rather harmful, because the tooth might be actually decaying.

Bacterial Infections
Not brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day or forgetting to rinse the mouth after meals are common bad habits. Bacteria from food and drinks enter the system and infect the cavity in the teeth. Once the bacteria spreads, it digs down deep into the existing hole in the tooth and leads to inflammation of the root canal. If the bacteria travel further down and settle into the jawbone, your condition can get worse. The toothache spreads to your jaw, damaging the entire jawbone. Finally, the whole structure supporting your teeth gets weakened.

Therefore, it is highly advisable to visit a dental doctor and take endodontic treatment for preventing major ailments. If you need to get the Root Canal surgery done, do not delay it.

Visit Clear Lake Endodontics for complete dental care.

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As we grow older, it is common for teeth to become discolored. This can be avoided and treated through a dental procedure known as internal bleaching. While over the counter solutions can be used at home, this procedure needs professional supervision. The invasive action is best handled by an Endodontist in controlled surroundings.

The process of internal bleaching starts with insertion of a chemical oxidizing agent in the tooth by drilling. After two weeks, the agent is replaced with more chemicals to gain the required level of whiteness. When the treatment is completes, the hole in your tooth is filled so that no other foreign particles can invade the area and cause problems.

Before recommending internal bleaching, your dental expert will evaluate the level of staining and discoloration of your tooth. If it can be treated with external methods or over the counter products, you will not need to go through internal bleaching procedures. Moreover, the Endodontist will look at the current condition of your teeth. There may be need for corrective surgery before internal bleaching can be performed. In certain cases, this is essential to keep the tooth healthy and prevent damage from chemicals used in whitening.

Internal bleaching is not just a stand-alone dental procedure. Sometimes, it is used in combination with exterior bleaching or tooth whitening products. Of course, the benefits and need for using two kinds of treatment is evaluated by the dental expert before prescribing them.

Mostly, it is much better to avoid using over the counter whitening products while getting internal bleaching treatment. Unless your doctor recommends the same, mixing of internal and external procedures can be harmful for your dental health. Like any other dental treatment, increased sensitivity of teeth may be experienced during internal bleaching. Otherwise, it is a very comfortable and well accepted process.

Visit Clear Lake Endodontics – A Clinic providing advanced Endodontic treatments in Houston and Webster areas in Central Texas.

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If you are undergoing Endodontic treatment, a root canal procedure may be involved. Depending on the condition of your tooth, sometimes, additional dental work is needed to ensure that your tooth is functioning properly and does not get infected again.

Majority of the patients need Root Canal Treatment for repairing breakage of tooth filling or removing decay from tooth pulp. Even after the Endodontic procedure, these teeth may remain unstable and in such conditions, dental experts may recommend post and core build up. This may be in combination with other appropriate treatments.

An important part of getting dental treatment is choosing a restoration process that can provide sealing to the tooth interior. This is imperative to prevent entry of bacteria and harmful microorganisms into the cavity. By creating a strong seal, the chances of such coronal leakage can be greatly reduced.

In simple terms, a post and core build up includes dental procedure that builds up tooth structure along with placement of crown. This is important to make up for loss of tooth structure due to fracture or decay. As a result, post and core offer effective restoration and maintenance of tooth foundation.

Endodontic specialists prepare the tooth for the crown by building up a post and core. To begin with, some of the root filling material is removed and a tiny metal rod is placed in the root canal. The choice of post to be used will depend on the condition of your teeth. While rear teeth can be treated with prefabricated posts, front teeth require cast posts, which are usually customized.

Various post and core systems can be classified according to their methods of production, creator companies, functions and structures. However, the main categories of post and cores are prefabricated and cast. In both cases, a metal post is put inside the root canal as part of Endodontic treatment.

When you go for post and core treatment, your Endodontic care will need additional dental sessions. The first step involves tooth preparation and making impression of the post space. Secondly, the post is cemented into the tooth. After these steps, the crown is prepared to restore the tooth completely.

Visit Clear Lake Endodontics Clinic located at Webster Tx for complete dental care solutions.

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The moment you think of any dental procedure, the first thought is of pain and misery. Fortunately, modern technology and dental experience has enables patients to get their teeth treated with minimal nuisance.

Before the advancements were made in dental technologies, endodontic treatment was also considered painful. One of the most common endodontic treatments is root canal. This involves making an incision in the affected tooth to remove infections from the pulp.

Originating from the Greek language, ‘endo’ stands for inside while ‘odons’ means tooth. In the field of cosmetic dentistry, endodontic procedures include dealing with severe tooth decay. This happens when the infection spreads from the enamel to the dentin and finally, into the pulp.

Using endodontic therapy may necessitate suspending of conventional methods of cosmetic dentistry till the treatment has been completed. For good results, the proper procedure and timing of root canal surgery must be undertaken before any other cosmetic changes.

Sometimes, patients may not be sure about the right time to go for endodontic treatment. Remember that a root canal therapy becomes imperative when the pulp of the tooth gets infected. In order to eliminate chances of future infections and eruptions, Endodontists use Root canal treatment technique. After disinfecting the affected area and removing bacteria, the tooth is filled and sealed effectively. This will prevent root and pulp complications.

According to most dental experts, endodontic procedures must be carried out by specialists. Endodontic treatment also involves internal tooth bleaching and drainage. The former is recommended to people whose teeth have darkened due to dentin or soft tissue decay.

When performed by an expert, endodontic treatment can be relatively painless. If you do not consider the qualification and experience of your dentist, it may turn out to be an excruciating experience. Regardless of popular opinion, this procedure is imperative to keep your teeth intact while removing serious infections and keeping away from tooth diseases.

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Nobody can deny the fact that first impression makes a huge difference. For many of us, a perfect smile is part of creating a good impression on others. This is only possible when your teeth are white, straight and clean. It is common practice for people to visit a dental expert at least once in six months but hardly any of them comply with the recommendations for personal dental care.

In order to retain or improve your dental health, you must take simple steps in routine life. This can save a lot of unpleasant and costly visits to the dentist.

Step 1 – According to the ADA, dental check up and cleaning must be scheduled every six months. This enables your dentist to prevent plague and reduce chances of cavities. Also, dental problems and diseases can be recognized at an early stage, making treatment easier and faster.

Step 2 – Twice a day, you need to brush your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride. Preferably, you must buy and use toothpaste endorsed by American Dental Association or ADA. Replacing your toothbrush after every three or four months is also essential for dental care.

Step 3 – While going to the doctor and brushing twice a day is common, many people skip the important step of flossing. This is crucial for getting rid of plague that causes tooth decay. Even if you are brushing properly, plague deposits between the teeth and gum may lead to dental problems. So, don’t forget to use floss once a day.

Step 4 – Apart from specific dental care, your general health and diet also determine the condition of your teeth. Hence, eat nutritious food and regulate snacking to items that will not cause tooth decay.

By following these easy guidelines, you can ensure longevity and vitality of your teeth. If these are not enough to deal with teeth concerns, you need to visit a dental specialist and discuss your problems for effective solutions.

For complete dental care visit Clear Lake Endodontics.

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The root canal treatment or therapy is a procedure to save tooth that is infected or has issues in the pulp present in the canals of root of tooth. The only alternate solution to get rid of tooth ache arising from infection in pulp is tooth extraction.

As such, the treatment begins with careful diagnosis of your dental problem, which is usually done through xray examination. If the infection has spread inside your teeth, you will need a root canal to clear it out. While many people get scared at the prospect of this procedure, it is not as physically or financially taxing as it seems.

The main steps of the root canal treatment can be explained as follows:

Placing the Rubber Dam
Once the infected tooth is numb, the dentist will put a rubber sheet around it. This helps in cleaning the bacteria and keeps your mouth free of saliva.

Reaching the Nerve Tissue
It is important for the dentist to access the infected area consisting of the nerve tissue. A drill is used for reaching the pulp chamber and making a hole through its surface. While this applies to molars, access hole in the front tooth is drilled on the back of the tooth.

Cleaning the Tooth
The pulp chamber and root canals inside the tooth are cleaned by using root canal files and irrigating process. The twisting motion scrubs and scrapes the root chambers to remove any toxins, bacteria, tissue and other debris in the tooth interiors.

Follow up
When the above steps have been completed, the hole in your tooth is capped with a crown or sealed with a compound and a sealer. The follow up process may need one to three visits according to the complexity of your condition.

On the whole, root canal treatment can be very effective in avoiding extraction and healing an infected tooth. In spite of popular belief, it is not very painful or expensive. Remember that timely action to get root canal treatment is better than suffering tooth infection and chronic discomfort.

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Endodontic treatment is not something that can be undergone in daily life. However, in certain cases, Dental experts may suggest such therapy for severe teeth problems. Your dental health can really improve when you go for this procedure but some precautions also need to be taken at the same time.

Root Canal Treatment is a procedure that gives specific attention to the ‘pulp’ degeneration and its treatment. Pulp forms the central part of the tooth and extends in the roots through the canals. Inside the pulp, vessels, tissues and nerves are present.

Getting the pulp removed is not such an alarming proposition. Individuals having severe bacterial infection from cavities under the tooth surface are recommended to go for Endodontic RCT. Deep tooth infections cannot be treated with antibiotics alone.

Don’t think that surgery is your personal decision. You will have to get assessed by a Endodontic expert to know the extent of your tooth problems and whether endodontic surgery is the solution for it. They may need to know details about your symptoms and signs of diseases. In most cases, a visual examination of the problem area is enough but for major problems, x-rays are recommended.

In comparison to simple tooth extraction, Endodontic treatment will take more time. After sedating the area with anesthesia, the top (crown) of the tooth is opened and this is followed by cleaning of the damaged pulp. After this, shaping is carried out to make space for filling. Usually, gutta percha is used as filler. On the next visit, your Endodontist will restore the crown area.

Dental science is so much advanced that Endodontic treatment of infected tooth can be done accurately. Some patients do get scared when they hear about Root Canal Treatment and prefer to get tooth extraction but a tooth extraction is not always a good idea either. With endodontic therapy, you can ensure that your teeth are intact, healthy and saved from misalignment.

For all kinds of Endodontic Treatments, visit Clear Lake Endodontics clinic located in Webster, Texas.

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Your tooth ache, actually the ache in the gums, has reached new heights. You have no idea which hard object made the condition worse. You had soft light food for lunch but chewing it was almost impossible. So, you visited the doctor. After conducting a series of X-Rays and tests, he informed you that it is a serious case of an Abscessed Tooth.

What is Abscessed Tooth?
An Abscessed tooth is a badly infected tooth with the surrounding gums fully swollen. You feel rather heavy and the mouth aches. Your diet goes down and the pain just kills you. The sad part is that the nerve of the truth is dead.

What causes it?
Have you ever ignored a small cavity in your mouth? Was there an accident which resulted in a broken tooth? Delayed the treatment or didn’t attend the sittings? There comes a time when the cavity goes very deep, the bacteria invades your teeth and reaches the centre of the tooth. The pain becomes unbearable.

What are the symptoms?
The most obvious symptoms are the gums around the affected tooth get swollen and there might be puss around it. One unique symptom is that you become totally unaffected by cold food or water. This is because the nerve of the tooth has been damaged and can’t feel the change in temperature.

What are the Treatments?
Take ample precautions in the beginning. Mild toothaches should be taken seriously. Be it broken teeth or tooth decay, keep visiting the Dental expert till the whole treatment is complete. When you are affected by Abscessed Tooth, leave everything aside and rush to the expert. Immediately get the treatment started before your nerves get damaged.

Welcome to Clear Lake Endodontics, We provide complete dental care solutions to patients in Webster and Houston in Central Texas region. For Root Canal Treatment, Root Canal Re-Treatment, Post and Core Build Up, Internal Bleaching, Dental Apexification etc, contact us.

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