Have you ever had a root canal? If not, surely your family members have. We have all heard someone complain of a painful root canal they had done. It is a resisted and even feared dental procedure. But if you know the facts, there is no reason to resist, or to be afraid! Place yourself in the good hands of an experienced endodontist. With today’s equipment and methods, root canals have become hardly more than a slightly uncomfortable, mild inconvenience. Endodontists would say, “We’ve come a long way.”

Did you think that root canals take a couple hours, or more? The fact is, nowadays, we can do them in an hour. Sometimes even less. Use of digital imaging, ultrasonics, and operating microscopes have not only reduced the time it takes to perform a root canal, but the pain level as well. This helpful procedure which saves your natural, original tooth (always preferred over pulling it) has become virtually pain-free. Of course, the exact condition of your tooth and root play a role.

With more serious issues, it is wise to use an endodontist. This is because an endodontist has received two or three years of additional training beyond dental school. They treat teeth with decayed, damaged roots every day, as opposed to a regular dentist who may only do one or two root canal procedures per week. Endodontists have special training in unusual or serious cases, such as unusually small or narrow teeth, blocked teeth, teeth with failed previous root canal treatment, etcetera. You can have peace of mind knowing that your root canal is being done by a specialist.

Your endodontist is also adept at administering local anesthesia, so this will be a smooth and effective process. Once people have a root canal done by an experienced endodontist, they typically tell their friends and family that they would see that dentist again, and that “It didn’t hurt like I thought it would.” If your dentist tells you that you need a root canal, feel free to ask about an endodontist. They can refer you to an endodontist if the situation warrants, and it is not unusual (nor is it poor manners) to ask for the referral.

Keep in mind that your regular dentist often does not have the advanced tools and technologies that the endodontist has for root canals, not to mention the training. Ultimately it is your decision. But ask questions and know your options. Endodontists are also called upon for handling abscessed teeth. Get the facts and then you can make the right decision. Our office is happy to answer any question on this subject. Just call ——–

If you’ve ever had a root canal, you probably remember it as a very painful experience. Root canals are performed when decay has entered the root of a tooth. Typical drilling and filling is no longer an option at this point. The pulp chamber of the root must be cleaned out and shaped, then a filling material is placed there, sealing the chamber. By the time you need a root canal, decay has reached the nerve of the tooth—the most painful part.

There is good news for dental patients needing root canals today. The advances in techniques and equipment have made this procedure faster and less painful. For endodontists (dentists who specialize in root canals), this is great news. They are gladly embracing these advancements, which are improving the overall result for root canal patients.

Root canals used to involve use of the naked eye and standard handheld dental instruments, which were challenging and awkward to use. State-of-the-art equipment allows the endodontist to be more precise than ever before. In their arsenal: surgical binoculars that greatly magnify the tooth; fiber optic illumination that increases surgical precision; and digital imaging instead of traditional x-rays—which mean less exposure to radiation.

Another recent advance is the application of the operating microscope. This enables an endodontist to magnify the surgical area as much as thirty-two times, making it much easier to see the diseased material versus healthy material. This decreases the risk of ‘missing’ a bit of the decay and the tooth becoming reinfected.

The increased precision enjoyed by endodontists who use these technologies allows them to save teeth that at one time would have been pulled. It also means less pain and discomfort for the patient. Tiny surgical mirrors are a high-tech addition to the root canal procedure that allows the dentist to see each root of the tooth with great clarity. The magnification equipment has allowed for reduction in the size of handheld endodontic surgical instruments.

Ultrasound helps clean the root before filling, using minute vibrations. The ultrasonic instruments that the dentist holds and uses during surgery are just one-fourth the size of traditional dental tools. Incisions are smaller and thus heal faster. Not only are healing times reduced with today’s advanced root canals, but the procedure lasts much longer—most likely for a lifetime. In the past, root canals would need to be redone after a few to ten years.

Materials have improved as well. Nickel titanium has replaced stainless steel for making dental files—the steel files were susceptible to breakage, whereas the titanium files are more flexible. Anesthetics have improved so that the full tooth can be numbed, resulting in less pain felt by patients. Clearly, a root canal no longer needs to fill you with dread. Rather, it has become a more routine procedure that is as comfortable as getting a filling done.

When a tooth is damaged and/or painful, we may feel like we just want our dentist to pull it out. Get rid of it! But most of the time, this is the wrong choice. While the time it takes to pull out the tooth is only a minute or two, replacing the tooth and having the gums heal can take many weeks and several visits to the dentist office. A good dentist will recommend doing everything he or she can to save the natural tooth. Why? Because nothing that man makes is as durable and effective as a real tooth.

People with a fake tooth implanted often suffer some level of discomfort or even mild pain when they chew, so they avoid certain foods and these are often healthy foods like fruits and vegetables that are essential to your diet. Yet if you do not replace the tooth and leave the space empty, infection and gum disease can result. Not to mention the shifting of the teeth around the empty space. Last but not least, replacing a tooth with a dental implant can cost more than repairing the bad tooth.

Many teeth can be saved by performing a root canal. A skilled, qualified endodontist—a dentist who specializes in root canals—can repair the natural tooth to a level where it is able to perform as good as new. Now before you start cringing—root canals have come a long way. They aren’t near as painful as many people believe them to be. They are considered one of the most feared dental procedures based on surveys, but this is often because of hearsay—people are basing their opinion on what they’ve heard and not on their own experience. Today, new technologies have made it faster and less painful to have a root canal done, and more advancements are happening all the time. Please see our other article on advancements in root canal technology.

When your tooth develops a problem and you experience pain, it could be from a break or crack in your tooth, a dying nerve, or an infected pulp. Having a root canal can repair the tooth and eliminate the pain that was previously experienced. One should always consider a root canal over an extraction and you should not hesitate to ask your dentist some questions. If they recommend extraction, ask them why a root canal is not an option. It is okay for you to ask them to refer you to an endodontist who performs several root canals every day (as opposed to a regular dentist who may only perform one or two root canals per week). Remember—endodontists will have the latest and best equipment to perform the procedure with minimal or no pain to the patient.

Endodontists treat conditions of the tissue inside our teeth. Removing diseased or damaged tissue and filling in the pulp area will not only save the tooth but keep you comfortable for years to come. Saving your natural teeth allows you to chew normally and eat the foods that you like and the foods that you need. By utilizing endodontics, our office provides an alternative to extraction. We always welcome your questions and your inquiries. When it comes to your teeth, knowing your options can make a big difference for your health and your wallet.

Radiograph of a natural tooth after root canal treatment (left) and extracted teeth replaced with dental implants (right). Courtesy of the American Association of Endodontists.

(NAPS)—When Ms. Barb Guerra went to her dentist with tooth pain, the simple words “root canal” filled her with dread. But after having the painless proce­dure performed, she realized her worry was for naught.

“I was pleasantly surprised when I had a root canal,” Guerra said. “I really didn’t experience any discomfort at all.”

The Fear

Misplaced fears like Guerra’s aren’t uncommon. In a new con­sumer survey by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), nearly half (48.5 percent) of survey respondents said they perceived root canal treatment as “excruciatingly painful,” and ranked the treatment just below a spinal tap in terms of discomfort.

The Reality

But these perceptions don’t reflect the realities of modern treatment, something that pa­tients are realizing firsthand.

In fact, a separate AAE study showed that patients who have experienced root canal treatment are six times more likely to describe it as “painless” than those who haven’t had the treatment.

The expertise of endodontists, the dentists who specialize in root canal treatment, combined with anesthesia and advanced technolo­gies, have made root canal treat­ment a procedure that can be as routine as having a cavity filled.

The treatment usually lasts a half-hour and has a 95 percent success rate in saving abscessed or infected teeth.

The Better Choice

When patients are told the inte­rior of their tooth is badly infected and requires treatment, they have three choices: extraction of the tooth with no replacement, extrac­tion and replacement with an implant, or root canal treatment.

Patients who extract the tooth and do not replace it can have a difficult time chewing, have an increased risk of gum disease and their teeth may shift. Extraction with implant replacement in­volves having a prosthetic tooth screwed into the jaw.

Root canal treatment is the only option that preserves the nat­ural tooth. “It’s always best to save the natural tooth,” says AAE Pres­ident John S. Olmsted, D.D.S., M.S. “Nothing looks, feels or func­tions like them.”

Despite these facts, the myths surrounding root canal treatment continue—and extend beyond con­cerns about pain. Many people believe that root canal treatment is expensive compared to other options, when it actually costs hundreds and hundreds of dollars less than getting an implant.

Root canals generally require one visit for the treatment plus another for the placing of a crown on the tooth, whereas placing an implant typically requires multi­ple surgeries.

Life After Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment removes the damaged pulp, or soft inner tissue containing nerves and blood vessels, from the tooth, and then the endodontist cleans, fills and seals the canals. The tooth is then restored with a permanent filling or other restoration, allowing it to once again function normally, often for a lifetime.

“I had horrible pain—before I had root canal treatment,” said Guerra. “Now my tooth is pain-free.”

Guerra is just one of the 17 million people each year to have a natural tooth saved by root canal treatment—and to realize that the myths about root canal treatment just aren’t true.

For more information about root canal treatment, visit www.rootcanalspecialists.org.

Did You Know?

A survey by the American Association of Endodon­tists showed that patients who had root canal treat­ment are six times more likely to describe it as “pain­less” than those who haven’t. For more information, visit www.rootcanalspecialists.org.

(StatePoint) You’re not alone. A survey by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) reveals that such fear plagues over 80 percent of adults, and over half say it may keep them out of the dental chair.

AAE President Dr. Louis Rossman, a root canal specialist, urges people to put aside their fears, even of procedures like root canals, to ensure proper care of their mouths and teeth.

“Poor oral health and tooth loss are linked to many serious conditions, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. So people should take steps to preserve their natural teeth,” he says. “Root canals are the best way to save infected teeth and are practically painless today.”

Rossman encourages patients to be honest about their anxiety, which can help their dentist create solutions to ease worries. Knowing what to expect also eases tension, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or have any procedure, even basic cleanings, explained.

Distractions also can help. For example, most dentists don’t mind if you bring a portable  music device and headphones to make yourself more comfortable.

Most importantly, Rossman encourages adults to see a specialist if a complicated procedure is required.

“Seeing a general dentist twice yearly is step one to good oral health. If you need a complicated procedure, like a root canal, ask for a specialist,” he says. “Endodontists have advanced training and technology that make the procedure comfortable for patients.

Visit www.rootcanalspecialists.org for more tips or to find an endodontist

Dental Specialists Save Natural Teeth And Restore The Reputation Of Root Canal Treatment

(NAPS)—Do the words “root canal” leave you unsettled, anxious and fearful? If so, you are  not alone. A recent survey by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) found that nearly half of respondents believe a root canal to be “excruciatingly painful.” The reality is that root canal treatments are virtually painless and provide patients with instant pain relief.

“People come into my office every day apprehensive about getting a root canal,” says Dr. James A. Abbott, an endodontist in Santa Rosa, Calif. “But these fears are undeserved.” New technologies and the advanced training of endodontists have revolutionized the treatment, making it more hero than villain.

Endodontists, the dentists who specialize in root canal treatment, save more than 17 million natural teeth each year. Yet they spend a lot of time dispelling myths about root canal treatment—and explaining what they do for a living.

“At a cocktail party, when I tell people I’m an endodontist, they say ‘What’s that?’” says Dr. Terryl A. Propper, an endodontist in Brentwood, Tenn. “Then, when I explain that I’m a dentist who specializes in root canal treatment, they get a pained expression.”

Since the notorious image of the root canal doesn’t reflect today’s reality, the AAE set out to change the procedure’s reputation. In a effort to raise awareness about root canals, as well as endodontics as a specialty, the AAE has introduced the first ever Root Canal Awareness Week this year.

“It may sound peculiar to dedicate a week to a dental procedure, but Root Canal Awareness Week has an important educational purpose,” said Dr. John S. Olmsted,
AAE president, of Greensboro, N.C. “Many people don’t know that root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling placed. It’s a beneficial treatment that eliminates pain and helps people keep their natural teeth.”

In fact, research is showing that saving natural teeth has extensive health implications. A December 2005 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that tooth loss was associated with a greater risk of heart disease, with those who had lost the most teeth at the greatest risk. This remained the case even when other risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and obesity were taken into account. Another study, published in the November 2006 Journal of Dental Research, found a relationship between endodontic disease— which root canals treat—and coronary heart disease.

Dr. Propper says she always asks her patients at the end of a root canal procedure how the
appointment went. “They always say ‘it was so much easier than I expected.’ The truth is that people come to us in pain—and they leave feeling better.”

For more information, visit www.rootcanalspecialists.org.

As we immerse ourselves into the arena of social media, we are excited to post blogs on a weekly basis with one of the biggest missions in mind: to educate others on what they can do for better dental care and preventative methods to stay out of a Doctors chair.

Perhaps that is an odd approach for some professionals in our field, but with Fifth Avenue Endodontics being a leader in the industry through state of the art technology and patient care, our calling is to decrease health costs and promote a healthy lifestyle.

We’d like to share a few comments from our clients and look forward to sharing educational information in the months to come and receiving feedback from you as well;

“At Rockefeller Center, Dr. Aleksander Iofin re-defines the terminology “root-canal” while remaining less expensive than other Endodontists in town.
Overall, anxieties were met/combated with up-lifting intelligence, state-of-the art technology (cleanest equipment, high-tech instruments, classical music), and extremely skilled techniques.
During both visits – not being the easiest of all cases – I have never experienced any pain. A big, big thank you to Dr. Iofin and his caring team (they even called the next day to see, if I was still breathing). I am definitively ready for my next one.”

Adelheid C.
New York, NY

“Dr. Iofin was by far amazing. I have never received service as Phenomenal. I would recommend Dr. Iofin to anyone.”

John L.
New York, NY
“I needed an Endodontist, ASAP. My dentist recommended Dr.Iofin and they were great about seeing me, my care was wonderful and the after effects were simply pain free. I would have no trouble recommending him to anyone.”

Sara S.
New York, NY

” I’ve had major problems with a post that was misplaced by my former dentist.
The hole for the post was drilled off center into the jaw, causing inflammation and recession of the bone. Since this tooth was one of the bases for a bridge, the whole prosthesis was jeopardized and I would have needed 2 implants and a new crown to close the gap.

Dr. Kim opened the jaw, cut away the post reaching into the jaw, sealed the root and managed to get the bone to rebuild. Magic! This saved me from going through months of treatments and spending a fortune. I had absolutely no pain during and after surgery except for slight discomfort during the healing process. Dr. Kim called after surgery and checked the tooth/jaw every 3 months for more than a year without charge.

On another incidence, where I was about to lose another tooth, caused by malpractice of my former dentist, Dr. Kim again performed magically! I had a root resection done earlier and for unknown reasons the tip of the root was left in the jaw, causing a tremendous inflammation. Critical on this surgery was, that the tip was located very close to my sinus.

Guess why it was left there! Dr. Kim is absolutely the best! “

Anonymous
New York, NY