Watch Your Mouth: Michigan Association of Endodontists Offers Four Part Series on Keeping Your Tee...(thing of the past For patients facing...),Health

For patients facing an upcoming root canal there is good news - painful root canals are a thing of the past. According to members of the Michigan Association of Endodontists (MAE), specialists in root canal procedures, three things have drastically improved how root canal therapy is performed.

"The use of the surgical operating microscope provides both intense magnification and shadow-less light so canals and the tooth anatomy can be clearly seen and effectively treated," explains Dr. Michael Lindemann, endodontist and member of the MAE. "Second, nickel titanium alloys, similar to those used in the space program, are now used to make endodontic instruments. The instruments are very flexible and can be used to shape the inside of the root canal very efficiently."

The result has been significantly reduced postoperative sensitivity, he said.

Third, Lindemann said, ultrasonic hand pieces allow for more conservative removal of the tooth structure and provide excellent access to the canal. The tools also more thoroughly remove dead pulp tissue and bacteria.

"Root canal therapy enjoys a success rate of well over 90 percent when these advances are employed," Lindemann said.

Endodontists are specialists in providing root canal therapy, he explained. After dental school, endodontists spend an additional two to three years in a formal academic residency that provides a thorough review of research, didactic course work and extensive clinical training.

Endodontists also are experts at managing trauma to a tooth that has been hit or knocked out.

"We are specially trained to provide an accurate diagnosis in determining when someone has dental or neurological pain and often make determinations as to whether teeth with large cavities, broken cusps or fractures are restorable," he said.

For more information, or to locate an endodontist near you, visit http://ww
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