Highlands Ranch Dentist

Root Canal Highlands Ranch Dentistry, Denver Dentist

Occasionally a tooth is damaged through dental decay, older large dental filling, micro and microscopic cracks (to name a few) and the tooth is in need of a root canal. Highlands Ranch Dentists, Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. Candace DeLapp provide root canals for our Colorado dental patients in the Lone Tree,Castle Pines, Centennial, Englewood, Denver and the Parker Colorado area. Root canal treatment at our Highlands Ranch dental office can provide relief from pain and in most instances (90%) long- term retention of the tooth.

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Alternatives to root canals at our Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree Dental office

There are several alternative to root canals that you need to make. Dental implant dentistry has made saving very broken down teeth a thing of the past. These alternatives include but are not limited to:

Extracting the offending tooth
Delaying or ignoring the problem (a bad idea)

In many instances extraction of the tooth in only a short-term solution because teeth need each other for support and function. Extracting the tooth does remove the infection however; a missing tooth can cause the following problems:

If a lower tooth is extracted the upper tooth can super-erupt into its vacated space causing malocclusion in months or years later.
In addition, if a lower or upper tooth is extracted the tooth most “distal” (behind the extracted tooth) will in time “tip” into the vacated spot causing a malocclusion
This dental malocclusion can be so severe over time that these misaligned teeth may need to be extracted or complicated orthodontics, with or without oral surgery to place them in the appropriate position.

Risks of delaying treatment root canal treatment-Highlands Ranch

Risks of delaying treatment can irreparably damage the infected tooth and on very rare occasions can be life threatening. Infection on upper teeth especially on the canines has the “potential” to infect the canine space, which has a direct pathway to the brain. Lower molar infection can lead to infections that can surround the heart. These infections can be serious so early intervention is very important!

Root Canal Causes

The dental pulp becomes infected when bacteria invade the tooth or when traumatic injury occurs exposing the pulp of the tooth. Cause of root canal treatment includes but not limited to:

Cavity (decay) on the tooth
Visible fracture of the tooth
Microscopic fracture of the tooth
“Cracked tooth syndrome”
Occlusal trauma from a poor bite or occlusion
Clenching and grinding of your teeth
Old restorations (fillings)
New restorations (fillings)
Dental crowns either new or old
Dental veneers or dental crowns where the contour of the tooth was altered extensively to make a more esthetic outcome
As attachments for over dentures (Zest anchors etc.)

Root Canal Differential Diagnosis (non-dental “apparent” tooth pain)

Root canal diagnosis can range from a very straightforward diagnosis to one which is obtained with great difficulty. There are several non-dental causes of apparent tooth pain which include:

Sinus problems
Dental lenching and grinding
Primary and secondary occlusal trauma
Heart attack (most common chest pain but pain can radiate to the jaw)
Periodontal disease
Tumors

Root canal diagnosis tests

There are several tests that are done to see if a dental patient needs a root canal. We divide these into subjective and objective symptoms. Subjective symptoms include the history of pain on the tooth … how long it lasts… what has been done to the tooth in the past to name a few. Objective evaluations include but are not limited to:

Percussion on the tooth (tapping on it)
Palpation on the tooth or root area
Cold application on the tooth
Hot application on the tooth
Electric pulp testers (occasionally)
Periodontal examination (gum exam)
Radiographic examination of the teeth and bone structure
Clinical exam … swelling… fistula etc.
Occlusal examination

From these tests it we determine the relative health of the pulp (nerve) of the tooth and whether a root canal is indicated. Sometimes the diagnosis is a reversible pulpitis and no treatment is needed. Then again the diagnosis can be irreversible pulpitis and a root canal is indicated.

Root Canal Therapy Dental Patients in Highlands Ranch

Root canals may be accomplished in either one or two visits and your clinical presentation will determine which is most appropriate. The steps of a root canal are in fact quite simple and straightforward. This includes:

Anesthetize (numb) the area (always a great idea!)
Place a rubber dam to isolate area and protect you
Make an opening on the top of the tooth down to the pulp chamber.
Small files of increasing sizes are used to clean out the infected nerve
Radiographs (x-rays) are used to verify treatment>
Gutta percha (a rubber like material) is placed to fill the root so bacteria cannot find a home to infect.
Finally either a filling and crown or a post and crown finish the procedure. The cost of these should be considered and discussed.

Complex root canal

Complex root canals or teeth needing re-treatment are generally referred to one of the endodontist specialists the Dr’s DeLapp work with

Informed consent for Root Canals

Highlands Ranch Dentists,Dr James DeLapp and Dr. Candace DeLapp review both orally and with written informed consent. There are several important elements to understand before you undertake this type of treatment. The doctors have found that over the years in their opinion the “most” important facts thatroot canals have a 5-10% failure rate. This means 5-10% of the time the tooth may need to be extracted after root canal therapy. The good news is 90-95% of the time they are a long lasting procedure that gives you the opportunity to keep your tooth. Even within these parameters there are additional treatments that can be done to try to keep your tooth. This includes root canal re-treatment or an apicoectomy (treating the root tip surgically) usually done by a dental specialist (endodontist).

Summary for Root Canal treatment Dentist Highlands Ranch

Root canal treatment has been a mainstay in dentistry for many years and is an effective way for most dental patients to keep their tooth/teeth. Highlands Ranch Dentists Dr. Candace DeLapp and Dr. James DeLapp provide root canal therapy for their Colorado dental patients in Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Centennial, Englewood, Denver and Parker Colorado area Please feel to contact our office at (303) 694- 9740

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