Dr. Gary Altenburg is a licensed and certified Endodontist (root canal expert). He has been practicing for over 20 years! Endodontics is one of the twelve dental specialty programs recognized by the American Dental Association, and similar to medical specialties, requires extra years of education. Dr. Altenburg is also a licensed dentist in addition to being a recognized dental specialist, having three extra years of ADA accredited hospital-based residency and endodontic training. Furthermore, Dr. Altenburg has advanced training in Dental Sleep Medicine, TMD and Orofacial Pain.
Not all root canals are created equal. All our root canal treatments are performed aseptically under a dental dam, recognized as the medical and legal standard of care. We provide the most advanced and minimally invasive root canal techniques available today. Utilizing low dose, high resolution 2-D and 3-D digital imaging of your tooth and powerful endodontic microscopes with high-intensity illumination, we can perform root canal treatment with ultimate precision and comfort.
WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL?
Root canal therapy is a treatment used to save a tooth when the tissue, blood vessels and nerves inside of a tooth have become irreversibly inflamed or abscessed.
REASONS A ROOT CANAL MAY BE PERFORMED:
HOW WE CAN HELP:
In order to save the tooth and eliminate any discomfort, the endodontist removes infected and diseased tissue to help clean out the infected area. The canal inside is then medicated to allow the surrounding area to heal. Any discomfort you may have had rapidly subsides as the tooth heals.
Generally, but not always, a crown will need to be placed after the root canal treatment is complete in order to protect the tooth from any further damage. When your treatment has been completed, the endodontist will provide you with special instructions on how to care for your newly treated tooth.
Once the tooth heals, a new crown or other restoration is placed by your general dentist to protect it.
With proper care, you’ll keep teeth that have had root canal treatment for a lifetime but it’s possible for those teeth to heal improperly, becoming painful or diseased months or even years after treatment. If this happens to your treated teeth, you have a second chance to save the tooth with retreatment. The additional procedure may be able to diminish dental pain or discomfort and promote healing. If you suspect a tooth that had a prior root canal requires retreatment, visit the endodontist for evaluation. You will be able to avoid tooth extraction and a dental implant in most cases!
As with any dental or medical procedure, it is possible your tooth won’t heal as expected after initial root canal treatment for a variety of reasons, including:
A new problem can also jeopardize a tooth that was successfully treated, such as:
During retreatment, the endodontist will reopen your tooth and remove the filling materials that were placed in the root canals during the first procedure. The endodontist then carefully examines the tooth, looking for additional canals or new infection. The endodontist then removes any infection, cleans and shapes the canals, and places new filling materials. The opening is then sealed with a temporary filling.
Once the tooth heals, a new crown or other restoration is placed by your general dentist to protect it.
Whether your tooth cracks from an injury or general wear and tear, you can experience a variety of symptoms ranging from erratic pain when you chew your food to sudden pain when your tooth is exposed to very hot or cold temperatures. In many cases, the pain may come and go and your dentist may have difficulty locating the tooth causing the discomfort. If you experience these symptoms or suspect a cracked tooth, it is best to see an endodontist as soon as possible.
An untreated crack can lead to root canal therapy or loss of the tooth.
Endodontists specialize in saving cracked teeth and will cater treatment to the type, location, and extent of the crack. The sooner your tooth is treated, the better the outcome. Once treated, most cracked teeth continue to function as they should, for many years of pain-free biting and chewing.
Traumatic dental injuries often occur as a result of an accident or sports injury. The majority of these injuries are minor – such as chipped teeth. It’s less common to dislodge your tooth or have it knocked completely out, but these injuries are more severe. Treatment depends on the type, location and severity of each injury. Regardless of the extent of the injury, your tooth requires immediate examination by an endodontist. Sometimes, your neighboring teeth suffer an additional, unnoticed injury that can only be detected by a thorough dental exam.
To mitigate the need for root canal therapy or tooth loss.
Endodontists specialize in treating traumatic dental injuries. With our advanced skills, techniques and technologies we often can save injured teeth. We offer tremendous flexibility in accommodating emergency cases. You’ll have relief from your pain and likely save your tooth, so act as quickly as possible.
Mon-Wed: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am to 2:00pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
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