Our Procedures
Common Treatment Types
Root Canal Treatment
A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges.
To understand root canal treatment, it helps to understand the anatomy of a tooth and its surroundings. Within the core of every tooth are hollow spaces and channels containing a soft tissue organ called the pulp. The pulp is sometimes referred to as "the nerve". Pulp tissue is largely comprised of blood vessels, nerve endings, and connective tissue. The blood vessels and nerves enter the pulp tissue through tiny openings at the tips of each root. A thin membrane called the "periodontal ligament" surrounds the entire root surface of the roots and connects the tooth to the surrounding jawbone.
The pulp is a very vulnerable tissue and can easily become diseased for a variety of reasons. Symptoms can range from none to excruciating pain. In the early stages of pulpal disease, the pulp tissue is inflamed and sensitivity to cold or hot is often the hallmark symptom. The ligament is often also inflamed causing pain when biting or chewing. Irreversible inflammation progresses to necrosis (death) and infection of the pulp. The process of necrosis often causes spontaneous pain and toothache. Infection spreads into the surrounding bone and gum tissues through the root openings, forming an "abscess". Since the blood supply no longer functions in a necrotic pulp, bacteria thrive within the confined space, safe from antibiotics or the immune system. For this reason, a tooth that has a diseased pulp should either be extracted or receive root canal treatment to eliminate this inevitable source of infection.
After a thorough examination, the endodontist, we will administer local anesthesia to eliminate discomfort. In addition, we will provide nitrous oxide analgesia or oral conscious sedation, if indicated. After the tooth is numb, a protective sheet called “dental dam” is placed over the area of interest to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure. This dental dam acts as a protective barrier to prevent any root canal cleaning solution or instruments from dislodging into the oral cavity. Once the plastic shield is firmly in place, the root canal procedure will begin with the access or opening of the crown portion of the tooth on the biting surface. Various small endodontic instruments are used to clean the pulp chamber and shape the root canals prior to filling the canal systems.
Root canal treatment involves the meticulous removal of diseased pulp tissue and debris. The canals are mechanically shaped and the remaining pulp spaces are chemically disinfected. Once the diseased tissue or infection is removed from within the tooth, the tissues around the tooth can heal.
After the canal systems are cleaned and shaped, the canals are sealed off with a root canal filling material called gutta-percha in order to prevent salivary bacteria from contaminating the disinfected root canal spaces. Gutta-percha is a rubber-like material that is solid at body temperature but is moldable when heated or compacted. This allows the material to form a custom seal in the root canals, and prevent the percolation of bacteria, contamination, and secondary infection.
What Happens After Treatment?
When your root canal therapy has been completed, a temporary material will be placed in the access hole of the crown. Your restorative dentist will receive a record of your treatment and radiographs. The root canal treated tooth needs to receive a permanent restoration within 2-3 weeks, a period of healing, to prevent any bacterial leakage into the recently root canal treated tooth. During this time the tooth has a temporary restoration. Please contact your restorative dentist to schedule a follow-up appointment for permanent restoration. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of permanent restoration is necessary to protect 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. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene. With proper root canal treatment and restoration of the tooth, healing can occur and the health of the tooth can be maintained.
Root Canal Re-Treatment
Endodontic (Root Canal) Retreatment (non surgical)
With the appropriate care, your teeth that have had root canal treatment will last as long as other natural teeth. Occasionally, a tooth that has received treatment may fail to heal or pain may continue to exist. Sometimes, the pain may occur months or years after treatment.
Common cause for failure of root canal treatment or improper healing are:
- Complicated canals or hard to find canals were not identified and treated during the initial treatment.
- Curved or narrow canals were not thoroughly cleaned.
- The crown or restoration was not placed within the appropriate amount of time following the procedure.
- Leakage of salivary bacteria contaminate the root canal due to poorly sealed root canal, cracked or poor fitting crown or filling, or through an area of new decay.
These types of issues can usually be corrected with proper retreatment (redoing root canal procedure). Part of an endodontist's evaluation is to identify the specific sources of a dental problem and to assess whether or not they will be able to correct it. Often a 3-dimensional image, or CBCT scan, is extremely useful in assessing teeth with previous endodontic treatment. The CBCT scan can detect canals that were missed, lesions, and fractured teeth not readily identifiable with traditional 2-D imaging.
The objectives of retreatment are the same as with initial root canal treatment. They are to:
- Mechanically remove debris, tissue and infection from within the canal spaces.
- Chemically disinfect the spaces and return them to a clean state.
- Seal off the spaces within the tooth with a root canal filling so that recontamination does not occur
When retreatment has been selected as a solution to your problem, the doctors will reopen your tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material so existing restoration and previous root canal needs to be disassembled. This might include removing or making an access opening through an existing crown, removing existing posts and cores, and removing previous root canal filling materials, so all canal spaces can be cleaned, disinfected, and thoroughly examined. Once all identified canals are cleaned and disinfected, the doctors will fill and seal the canals and place a temporary filling in the tooth.
At this point, you will need to return to your dentist as soon as possible in order to have a new crown or restoration placed on the tooth to restore full functionality. If the previous restoration is damaged or leaking, it will need to be replaced. A well-fitting final restoration is essential for the success of root canal treatment.
Apicoectomy (Surgical Retreatment)
Why Would I Need Endodontic Surgery?
Generally, a root canal is all that is needed to save teeth with injured pulp from extraction. Occasionally, this non-surgical procedure will not be sufficient to heal the tooth and your endodontist will recommend surgery. The endodontist retreats non-healing root canal surgically from the root-end instead of retreating through the crown of the tooth.
The following are some of the reasons why surgical retreatment would be needed:
- Large recurring infections or cystic lesions,
- Infected canal spaces that are only accessible with surgery,
- Non healing (nonsurgical) retreatment
- Locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on radiographs (x-rays) but still manifest pain in the tooth
- Deep post, broken or fracture instruments
- Cases where retreatment could have undesirable consequences,
- Exploratory surgery for biopsy sample
- Damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone
The most common surgery used to save damaged teeth is an apicoectomy or root-end resection.
What Is An Apicoectomy?
During apical surgery, an incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the bone and surrounding inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is removed along with the end of the root tip, which usually contains the source of the problem. If indicated, the infected tissue may be sent to a pathology laboratory for evaluation for oral pathology lesions that are not endodontic infections. A small tunnel is carefully parepared in the root canal and a root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root. The gum tissue is closed with sutures, which are removed in 3-6 days. With the source of the infection removed, the bone naturally heals around the root over a period of months restoring to full function.
Following the procedure, there may be some discomfort or slight swelling while the incision heals. This is normal for any surgical procedure. To alleviate any discomfort, an appropriate pain medication will be recommended. If you have pain that does not respond to medication, please call our office.
Other Types of Treatment
Cracked Teeth
Cracked teeth demonstrate many types of symptoms, including pain when chewing, temperature sensitivities, or even the release of biting pressure. It is also common for pain to come and go, making it difficult to diagnose the cause of discomfort.
Chewing can cause movement of the cracked pieces of your tooth, and the pulp within the tooth becomes irritated. At the same time, when biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in sharp pain. Eventually, the pulp will become damaged and tooth will consistently hurt, even when you are not chewing. It is possible that cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone and gum surrounding the problematic tooth.
Types of Cracks:
Craze lines:
These are tiny cracks that only affect the outer enamel of the tooth. These cracks are more common in adults. These types of cracks are superficial and are usually of no concern.
Fractured Cusp:
When a cusp becomes weakened, a fracture may result. The cusp may break off or be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal is not necessary. Your dentist will usually restore the tooth with a full crown.
Treatable Cracked Tooth
This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth and vertically migrates towards the root. In some cases, the crack may extend below the gum line. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root. Damage to the pulp is commonplace. In this case, root canal treatment is usually necessary. A cracked tooth that is not treated will worsen, resulting in the loss of the tooth. Therefore, early detection is essential.
Split Tooth:
A split tooth is usually the result of an untreated cracked tooth. It can be identified by a crack with distinct segments. This type of tooth can never be saved intact. Yet, the position and extent of the problem will dictate whether any portion of the tooth can be saved. Sometimes, endodontic treatment by the endodontist and restoration by your dentist can be used to save a portion of the tooth.
Vertical Root Fracture:
A vertical root fracture begins at the root and extends towards the chewing surface of the tooth. Unfortunately, they show minimal symptoms and may go unnoticed. Treatment involves endodontic surgery if a portion of the tooth can be saved by removal of the fractured root. Otherwise the tooth will have to be extracted.
Traumatic Injuries
Traumatic injuries to teeth may cause a physical, psychological and social impact in children and adolescents. Teeth may be exposed to injuries such as fractures, loosening and displacement.
Approximately 30% of the general population experience traumatic injuries to their anterior teeth every year; the main reasons being sport activities, falls and violence. Open mouth and buck teeth are predisposing factors to dental trauma.
Prevention of traumatic injuries to teeth and early and effective treatment will save time, costs and unnecessary aggravation.
CONCUSSION
An injury to the tooth-supporting structures without increased mobility or displacement of the tooth, but with pain to percussion.
SUBLUXATION
An injury to the tooth supporting structures resulting in increased mobility, but without displacement of the tooth. Bleeding from the gingival sulcus confirms the diagnosis.
EXTRUSION
Partial displacement of the tooth out of its socket.
An injury to the tooth characterized by partial or total separation of the periodontal ligament resulting in loosening and displacement of the tooth. The alveolar socket bone is intact in an extrusion injury as opposed to a lateral luxation injury. In addition to axial displacement, the tooth will usually have an element of protrusion or retrusion. In severe extrusion injuries the retrusion/protrusion element can be very pronounced. In some cases it can be more pronounced than the extrusive element.
LATERAL LUXATION
Displacement of the tooth other than axially. Displacement is accompanied by comminution or fracture of either the labial or the palatal/lingual alveolar bone.
Lateral luxation injuries, similar to extrusion injuries, are characterized by partial or total separation of the periodontal ligament. However, lateral luxations are complicated by fracture of either the labial or the palatal/lingual alveolar bone and a compression zone in the cervical and sometimes the apical area. If both sides of the alveolar socket have been fractured, the injury should be classified as an alveolar fracture (alveolar fractures rarely affect only a single tooth). In most cases of lateral luxation the apex of the tooth has been forced into the bone by the displacement, and the tooth is frequently non-mobile.
INTRUSION - INTRUSIVE LUXATION
Displacement of the tooth into the alveolar bone. This injury is accompanied by comminution or fracture of the alveolar socket.
FRACTURED TEETH
- Clean the fractured tooth and find the broken piece.
- Apply cold compresses on the cheek from the outside if swelling is present.
- Go immediately to the dentist.
DISLODGED TEETH
Injuries to the mouth can cause teeth to be pushed back into their sockets. Your endodontist or general dentist may reposition and stabilize your tooth. Root canal treatment is usually started within a few weeks of the injury and a medication, such as calcium hydroxide, will be placed inside the tooth. Eventually, a permanent root canal filling will be implanted.
Sometimes a tooth may be pushed partially out of the socket. Again, your endodontist or general dentist may reposition and stabilize your tooth. If the pulp remains healthy, then no other treatment is necessary. Yet, if the pulp becomes damaged or infected, root canal treatment will be required. If left untreated, many different complications can arise. These complications can include but are not limited to: Infection of the tooth, root system or surrounding tissue, inadequate hygiene due to an inability to properly clean the dislodged tooth and the gums, and loss of the tooth.
AVULSED TEETH
If an injury causes a tooth to be completely knocked out of your mouth, it is important that you are treated immediately! The best chance of saving the tooth is within the first 20 minutes of the accident. If this happens to you, keep the tooth moist. Handle the tooth by the crown ONLY, do not touch the root. If possible, put it back into the socket and close the mouth with a piece of gauze between the upper and lower anterior teeth.
If a tooth cannot be replanted, immediately put the tooth in cold milk, in coconut water, or water with a pinch of salt. Your tooth can be saved if it remains moist. Go immediately to the dentist. Your endodontist may start root canal treatment based upon the stage of root development. The length of time the tooth was out of your mouth and the way the tooth was stored, may influence the type of treatment you receive.
INJURIES IN CHILDREN
An injured immature tooth may need one of the following procedures to improve the chances of saving the tooth:
Apexogenesis
This procedure encourages the root to continue development as the pulp is healed. Remove inflammed pulp tissues and leave healthy pulp tissues in the canal to encourage root development. The tip of the root (apex) will continue to close as the child gets older. In turn, the walls of the root canal will thicken. If the pulp heals, no additional treatment will be necessary. The more mature the root becomes, the better the chance to save the tooth.
Apexification
In this case, the necrotic pulp is removed. The doctors place medication into the root to help a hard tissue form near the root tip. This hardened tissue provides a barrier for the root canal filling. At this point, the root canal walls will not continue to develop, making the tooth susceptible to fractures. So it is important to have the tooth properly restored by your dentist.
Internal Bleaching
WHAT IS INTERNAL BLEACHING?
Internal, or non-vital, bleaching is used to lighten a darkly discolored tooth that has had root canal therapy . A
chemical oxidizing agent is placed within the coronal portion of a tooth to remove tooth discoloration. It may be
performed in the dental office using a procedure known as "chair side bleach." In this procedure, bleach
crystals are placed inside the tooth, left for a period of time, and then removed before leaving the office. This
may be done once or several times, depending upon the discoloration of the tooth. Another method is known
as "walking bleach." In this procedure, bleach crystals are placed inside the tooth, left for several days and
then the patient returns to the dental office to have the bleach crystals removed. Again, this procedure may be
performed one or more times, depending upon the discoloration of the tooth.
Botox
BOTOX® is used as an alternative treatment for TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) disorders and associated jaw tension and pain. When injected into facial muscles afflicted with soreness and discomfort, BOTOX® relieves TMJ and jaw tension for many patients. The injections often eliminate headaches resulting from teeth grinding, and, in cases of severe stress, BOTOX® can even minimize lock jaw.
Located on both sides of the head at the point where the jawbone meets the skull, the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) is used during talking, eating, swallowing, and other everyday activities. If this joint becomes displaced or is overworked through excessive teeth grinding, a person may suffer severe tension headaches, as well as sharp pain in the jaw. BOTOX® relieves jaw tension by making muscles unable to engage in the powerful, often unconscious movement of the jaw that produces headaches and pain.
The BOTOX® alternative treatment for TMJ disorders and jaw tension is usually quick, straightforward, and effective. A non-surgical procedure, BOTOX® injections are administered in a doctor’s office and treatment requires no hospital stay. Most patients experience noticeable improvement within one or two days of their first treatment, although relief can take up to a week.
Concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, Cosmetic BOTOX® is also offered, ask us at your appointment!
Dr. Frances Ballagas
7352 Stonerock Cir Suite B
Orlando, FL 32819
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