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.

Endodontist in Houston -  Houston Endodontics

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.

Root Canal in Houston – Root Canal Specialist in Houston

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.

Endodontist in Houston – Houston Endodontics

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.

Endodontist in Houston – Houston Endodontics