Dr. Adams' primary goal is to save a tooth rather than pull it because technology has not yet perfected a replacement for the natural tooth. While dental implants are able to provide the best available replacement, there can be drawbacks. It is for this reason, the best practice is to save the tooth because it will also save money in the long run. Endodontic therapy, also known as root canal therapy, is a common dental procedure with over 14 million performed every year. This is a procedure where the root or nerves are removed and replaced with a special filling for the purpose of retaining the tooth. In many instances, a tooth can function without its nerve(pulp) and can be kept indefinitely with appropriate restorations. Although there is no guarantee the tooth can be saved, the success rate can be up to 90%, depending on the complexity and condition of the tooth structure. Dr. Adams is uses a system called Rotary Endodontics for the benefit of his patients. It is a specific way of performing root canals utilizing a specific hand-piece which allows Dr. Adams to perform the procedure with greater ease and comfort for the patient. After the root canal is completed, a temporary will be placed over the tooth to protect it until Dr. Adams does the restoration. It it necessary to give the tooth time to heal before the restoration. As a skilled cosmetic dentist, patients can be assured the restorations will be superb and will look much like the tooth was before the procedure.
Dr. Adams advises prevention is always the best method of care which means scheduling regular dental exams, brushing and flossing, avoiding foods that wear down enamel and addressing any areas of decay immediately will make it less likely for root canal therapy to be performed. Always remember to wear a custom mouth guard when playing any contact sport. If patients brux and grind teeth, please get evaluated for a night guard to reduce the damage to the teeth. There are so many preventative measures that patients can incorporate into their daily lives that can drastically reduce the need to need have root canal therapy.
Timothy C. Adams, DDS, D.ACSDD is pleased to offer this service to his patients although complex cases will be referred to the specialists who are better trained for those specific cases.
