Why root canal therapy?

If you have been referred for a root canal treatment, you’re probably concerned about what this entails. Root canal therapy is a safe and wise investment. It eliminates not only the pain itself that you may be experiencing, but the cause of the pain as well. Root canal therapy treats the cause of pain,  retains the natural tooth, and is  the most conservative route for the affected tooth-one that will help you maintain your overall dental health for years to come. 

Over 14 million root canal procedures are performed per year, with the success and safety of treatment well documented.  Studies have shown that up to 95% of root canals are successful.

How do I take care of myself after a root canal therapy?

1. Postoperative discomfort is sometimes experienced after a treatment visit. This is due to irritation of the bone surrounding the tooth and may range from a mild discomfort in the area to an occasional episode of considerable pain. This discomfort will usually maximize in approximately 48-72 hours and then subside. Please avoid chewing on the treated tooth for a few days.

2. If a throbbing sensation occurs please keep your head elevated as much as possible and place extra pillows under your head when lying down. Avoid as much as possible any strenuous activity as well.

3. If your tooth has been left open to aid in drainage of an infection, please place cotton in your tooth as directed. Do not leave the cotton in the tooth between meals.

4. If swelling of the gum is present or should appear after a treatment visit, please rinse the area every 1-2 hours with a solution of warm salt water prepared by adding a teaspoon of salt to an 8 oz. glass of warm water.

5. If swelling of the face is present or should appear, apply an ice pack to the area for 5 minutes every 1/2 hour.

6. If antibiotic medication has been prescribed please take it as indicated until you have finished ALL of the medication. If you encounter any difficulty in breathing or a skin rash, or gastric disturbance should occur, please discontinue the medication and call the office.


If medication for pain has been prescribed , please take it as indicated. It is important to bear in mind that narcotic medications such as Codeine, Vicodin, Percodan and Demerol may make you drowsy. Therefore, caution should be exercised in operating any potentially dangerous machinery or an automobile.

If any additional questions should arise after your visit, please do not hesitate to call our office.

What are posts & cores and do I need one?

What is a post, what is it made of, and why do I need one? These are questions that are very often asked about a procedure that is required in order to rebuild the proper support for a cap or crown.

• First of all, a post is a metallic structure that is placed within the body of the root of a tooth that has had previous root canal therapy.
• It can only be placed in a tooth that has had endodontic therapy ( root canal ) since once the dentist enters the nerve, the nerve dies. Root canal therapy prevents further infection and discomfort. During root canal therapy, the space previously occupied by the nerve is filled with a sterile plastic material call gutta-percha.
• In fabricating your post, we remove some of this plastic material making sure we leave the last two to three millimeters to seal the end of the root. This space that is fabricated is necessary in order to anchor the post within the root of the tooth.
• There are different types of posts. The type that is chosen for you will depend upon a number of factors. The post can either be 1) prefabricated or 2) it can be cast at the dental laboratory. In either case, the result of anchorage for a crown is the same.
• The part of the post that shows is called the core. It is upon this core that we can anchor a cap or crown. The post is cemented permanently into your tooth usually separate from the crown. The crown ( or cap ) is then ready to be placed.
• Although posts are usually recommended when there is minimal support for a crown, they are not always necessary. The use of a post will be determined on an individual basis based upon support and structural requirements.

If you have any additional questions regarding this or any other aspect of your dental treatment, ask Dr Lea or his staff.

How many visits to the endodontist will my treatment require?

Endodontic treatment, or root canal therapy, may require as little as one or two visits.  During your initial consultation, Dr Lea will use a focused dental exam that includes a pulp vitality test and digital x-rays, to diagnose and discuss your dental needs and options.

Some individuals may be able to opt for treatment the same visit, while others may need an additional visit to complete the therapy.

Unusual Exceptions. It’s uncommon to find a tooth damaged beyond what a root canal can repair. However, if the root canals are inaccessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored, then we may not be able to use traditional endodontic procedures to save the tooth. However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost. When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.

Specialized Surgery. Your endodontist also has several advanced endodontic options. For instance, if the standard approach is ineffective and inflammation or infection persists around the bony area of your tooth end, your endodontist may perform an in-office ‘apicoectomy’ surgery, removing the infected tissue as well as the tip end of the tooth root, then sealing the affected a canals. Local anesthetics make the procedure comfortable, and most patients return to their normal activities the next day. Very rarely, the specialist may even choose to extract the tooth, clean and seal the canals, and replant it in position.

Treating Trauma. Sometimes tooth pulp is damaged by a traumatic injury, such as a blow to the mouth. With children, for example, such a blow might cause a root to stop developing. In such cases, your endodontist can perform an ‘apexification’ technique to stimulate root growth, then follow up by saving the tooth through routine root canal procedure. Your endodontist is also able to replant teeth that have been knocked entirely out of the sockets!  (See the side box)

Pinpointing Pain. It’s not easy to identify the source and cause of oral pain. The mouth is made up of a vast network of nerves, so a damaged or diseased tooth may cause pain in another tooth, in the head itself, or even in the neck or ear area. Endodontists specialize in accurately diagnosing and effectively treating such ‘mystery pains’.

How do I take care of myself after an apicoectomy?

After your treatment, as with any surgery, you may or may not notice some temporary discomfort or inconveniences. That’s why we’ve compiled the following list of way to minimize those concerns. Please remember that these suggestions are not requirements in all cases, and some may not apply at all to your individual situation.

Immediate Ice. As soon as possible, apply an ice pack to the surgical area. Then, from the end of your surgery until bedtime, keep the pack on for 20 minutes, then off for 20 minutes. For a few hours, it’s best for you to relax in a slightly inclined resting position, such as in a reclining chair, rather than allowing yourself to lie completely horizontally in bed. The morning following your surgery, you may want to re-apply an ice pack for a few hours.

Heat is Hazardous. As a general rule, you should avoid applying any heat to the outside of your face in the surgical area.

Alleviate Aches. We recommend using motrin as needed for any post-surgery discomfort. Although most people find motrin to be extremely effective, you should call the office if you have discomfort beyond what motrin can take care of. We can prescribe a stronger medication.

Surgical Swelling. Any injury produces a normal and natural amount of swelling. And it’s natural for your body to respond to the surgery as it would to a minor injury. The good news is that the swelling initially helps carry healing materials and repair cells to the surgical site, as you rest and follow your doctor’s other post-surgery recommendations. You may notice a slight increase in swelling after you’ve been asleep. However, it’s nothing to be concerned over: it’s a natural reaction and will subside in a few hours.

Supplementary Sleep. Following your surgery, you’ll find that sleep works wonders for body, mind and spirit. Get as much rest as you can.

Stop Smoking. Please do not smoke after your surgical procedure. This is critical as a means of allowing proper blood clot formation and subsequent healing.

Avoid Alcohol. It’s very important that you consume NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES while taking medications!  Alcohol and pain pill, tranquilizers or sleeping pills do NOT mix. Furthermore, alcoholic beverages tend to cause dehydration, which slows healing.

Eat for Energy. Although we suggest waiting for a couple of hours before eating, you’ll need to provide your body with proper nutrition and hydration to ensure efficient healing. Your tissues will repair faster if you eat foods high in protein, and drink a large quantity of liquid than you think you need (orange juice, broth, water, or milk for example). If it’s hard to chew, you’ll find a wide variety of liquid hi-protein complete nutrition drinks available in most grocery stores. At any rate, you’re free to resume your normal diet as soon as you can do so without discomfort.

Basic Bleeding. It’s quite common to have a small amount of bleeding for a few hours following your surgery. It’s quite simple to control minor bouts of bleeding by applying firm pressure to the area with a gauze pack or tea bag and your thumb. Of course, if you’re concerned or need help, please call our office.

Rare Reactions. If you develop a rash, hives, itching, unusual swelling, etc., immediately DISCONTINUE any MEDICINE that we gave you and contact our office.

Stray Sutures or Stitches. DO NOT BE ALARMED if, after a few days, one of your sutures or stitches should come out or get lost. This will not typically affect the healing process. It’s not uncommon for the skin in the surgical area to be discolored, although this is normal and temporary.

Brushing. Of course, you’ll need to continue your healthy hygiene habits, including brushing your other teeth. However, be careful to avoid the surgical area with your brush. Instead, you may clean it with a cotton-tipped applicator. Use the prescription mouth wash that was given to you.