The following "Treatment" web pages are an overview of Endodontic procedures that we are providing your patients.  We encourage all of our new patients to learn more about their particular procedure and we welcome our referring doctors to observe this information: You have been referred to our office by your dentist because he/she believes that you may need root canal therapy. This treatment is known as "Endodontics". Only endodontic related procedures are performed in our office. Because your dentist referred you to us, he/she has demonstrated a personal concern for the quality of your dental care. More than 14 million teeth receive endodontic treatment each year. By choosing endodontic treatment, you are choosing to keep your natural teeth as a healthy foundation for chewing and biting for years to come. If you've never had endodontic treatment, or if it's been many years since your last procedure, you may have questions or outdated expectations. This section of our web site answers your questions and explains how today's endodontic treatment saves teeth. If you would like to know more, be sure to talk with your endodontist. What is Endodontic Treatment? To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development. The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth's growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it. Endodontic Procedure Endodontic treatment can often be performed in one or two visits and involves the following steps:

	1. The endodontist examines and x-rays the tooth, then administers local anesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the endodontist places a small protective sheet called a "dental dam" over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure
2. The endodontist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling.
	3. After the space is cleaned and shaped, the endodontist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called "gutta-percha." The gutta-percha is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. The temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.
4. After the final visit with your endodontist, you must return to your dentist you have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
	If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, your dentist or endodontist may place a post inside the tooth. Ask your dentist or endodontist for more details about the specific restoration planned for your teeth.

Serving the Triad in 
 Greensboro, High Point, Asheboro and Kernersville.