Buffalo Dentist

" Thank you so much for the work you did on my mouth. I feel so much better and finally have my life back. Thanks for seeing me on such short notice and really making sure that i was comfortable the entire time. "

- Emily

Endodontics

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with diseases of the tooth root, dental pulp, and surrounding tissue. Snyder Dental Group is the only Practice in WNY to have an Endodontist right in our office. Dr. Gina Siegel is a classically trained endodontist who provides only endodontic services.

Endodontic treatment (also known as root canal treatment) is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. Inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth or a fracture or chip in the tooth. A blow to a tooth may also cause pulp damage, even if there are no visible cracks or chips.

When the pulp of a tooth is damaged, the only alternative to endodontic treatment is extraction of the tooth.

Root Canal

If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abcess. When the damage goes beyond what can be treated with a filling, dentists can perform a root canal, preserving the tooth and retaining its original integrity; thereby, saving a tooth that in the past would have to be pulled.

During a root canal the endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the canals, then fills and seals the space. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Occasionally, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment fails to heal or the pain continues. In a few cases, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment.

Re-treatment

New trauma, deep decay or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in a tooth. Sometimes, there may be very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial root canal. If infected tissue lies beyond the root tip, it can cause bone loss and tissue destruction.

Apicoectomy

Also known as a "root-end resection," an apicoectomy literally means the removal of the apex of the root of the tooth. When inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after endodontic treatment, or if calcium deposits make a canal too narrow for Dr. Siegel’s instruments to reach the end of the root (calcification), an apicoectomy may be done.

This procedure treats the bony area surrounding the end of your tooth, which has become inflamed or infected. By folding back the gum near the tooth, the doctor can access the underlying bone and extract the inflamed tissue. At the same time, the very tip of the root is removed and usually replaced with a small plug or filling. The doctor may treat the area with antibiotics and will then close the area with a small suture. Eventually, the jaw surrounding the tooth will fill in with bone, supporting the tooth as before. This procedure helps ensure the lasting result of your endodontic treatment. An apicoectomy is only done in rare cases when a root canal requires additional treatment.

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve pain. With modern techniques and anesthetics most patients find they are comfortable during the procedure.

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