What is an Endodontic Specialist?

When your tooth experiences trauma, whether from decay, physical injury, or the removal of decay (such as a deep filling), your body can't always heal the tissues, leading to their deterioration. As this happens, you may feel immediate pain or set the stage for future pain and infection. Once your tooth reaches the point of needing a root canal, the options are limited: you’ll either need a root canal or have the tooth extracted, which will require further dental procedures like an implant or bridge. Saving your natural tooth is almost always the best option. We believe seeing an endodontist gives your tooth the optimal outcome.

Endodontists are trained to relieve pain, not cause it. As our patient, you are always in control during the procedure. Our priority is to ensure you are comfortable for the entire treatment.

Most of our patients feel much better after treatment. You can expect unprovoked soreness for 2 or 3 days. If you give the soreness a number value on a scale from 0 to 10, you should be in the 0 to 4 range. Typically, Advil or Tylenol will take care of the soreness. If you bite or push on the tooth, you will likely have a higher level of discomfort and possibly pain that should only last a couple of seconds. We caution you not to do either until you have a crown or restoration to protect the tooth. This discomfort on bite could last a few days or up to a few weeks. After then, the tooth should feel like a normal tooth.

Discomfort can vary greatly and is usually determined by the severity of the inflammation or infection in the area. Many patients report feeling relieved of discomfort immediately after the procedure.

We are always available for follow-up care or to answer your questions. Dr. Moore provides his personal mobile number for patients to reach him after hours.

Yes, we do! It’s available upon request for our patients who have dental anxiety.

• The level of relaxation can be adjusted at any time.

• Inhalation sedation is safe with no side effects on your heart and lungs.

• It is very effective in minimizing gagging.

• Its effects begin in as little as 2 or 3 minutes.

You should avoid using nitrous oxide if you have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although there are no other major contraindications, you may not want to use it if you have emphysema, chest problems, multiple sclerosis (MS), a cold, or other breathing difficulties. If you are pregnant, it is essential to have a discussion with your OB/GYN to determine the best and safest approach for dental care during pregnancy.

We perform root canals with the expectation that they will last a lifetime, and endodontists have an exceptionally high rate of long-term success. According to clinical research and literature, endodontists achieve a greater than 95% long-term success rate. However, some root canals can fail. Failures are typically due to fractures, recurrent decay, or anatomical complexities that prevent a proper seal, allowing bacterial invasion.   

In the majority of cases, the tooth can still be saved through re-treatment or a surgical procedure, and Dr. Moore will recommend this if it is the best option. While saving your natural tooth is always the preferred choice, there are instances where extraction and replacement with a bridge or implant may be the only viable solution.

If you need a root canal and decide to delay treatment or not to have a root canal, it’s highly likely you will develop one or many of the following complications:

1.      Persistent Pain: The infected or damaged pulp inside the tooth can cause ongoing and often severe pain in addition to significant swelling. Pain can develop quickly with little warning. Pain along with swelling and infection may require an urgent emergency room visit to receive IV antibiotics and pain medication.

2.      Infection Spread: The infection in the tooth can spread to surrounding tissues, including the jaw and other teeth. This can lead to an abscess, which is painfully swollen tissue which will require more extensive treatment.

3.      Tooth Loss: Without treatment, the bone surrounding your tooth will continue to deteriorate, which could lead to the extraction of the tooth.

4.      Systemic Issues: In some cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, potentially causing a serious health issue such as sepsis.

5.      Increased Treatment Costs: Delaying treatment often leads to more complex and costly procedures later, such as tooth extraction followed by a bridge or implant to replace the lost tooth.

6.      Bone Loss: An untreated tooth infection can cause the bone around the affected tooth to deteriorate, which can complicate future dental work and affect overall oral health.

7.      Chronic Bad Breath and Taste: Ongoing infection can result in chronic bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth.

It's important to address the need for a root canal promptly to avoid these complications and maintain overall dental and systemic health. Although antibiotics will often “soothe” the pain you’re experiencing, they are only a temporary solution such as a tarp covering a leaking roof. They are not a cure for the problem.

At Watermark Endodontics, our objective is to provide the best possible root canal care available. We make every effort to start on time and nearly all of our root canals treatments are completed in one visit. Plan to get right back to your day.

Absolutely. We offer complimentary estimates and also file your claim electronically, enabling you to receive your benefits as quickly as possible.

Yes. We are committed to finding a way to help you get the dental treatment you need and desire. CareCredit is one of the best options available if you'd prefer to make monthly payments. They offer low monthly payments, no upfront costs, and no penalties if you complete your payments in a timely manner. Watermark Endodontics also offers financial courtesies for payment in full.