Endodontic Treatments
Focused on One Thing: Saving Your Tooth
Endodontics is the dental specialty focused on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the inside of the tooth, including the dental pulp and root canal system. When decay, infection, trauma, or a fracture reaches the nerve of a tooth, an endodontic specialist has the advanced training and expertise to provide the care needed to relieve pain and preserve your natural smile.
Our doctors offer the full spectrum of endodontic services, including root canal therapy, endodontic retreatment, and apical surgery, at five convenient locations throughout the Triad.
Our primary goal is always the same: saving your natural tooth whenever possible. Natural teeth function better, feel more comfortable, and contribute to long-term oral health in ways that no replacement can fully replicate. If a tooth cannot be saved, we will provide an honest assessment, clearly explain your options, and help guide you through the next steps with confidence and compassion.
Pulpal Screening and Early Detection
Before any endodontic treatment is recommended, a comprehensive pulpal screening is performed to evaluate the health of the tooth's inner tissue, known as the pulp.
Pulpal disease does not always cause immediate symptoms. In many cases, infection or inflammation can develop long before significant pain occurs. A pulpal screening allows our doctors to identify potential problems early, often leading to more conservative treatment options and better long-term outcomes.
If your dentist suspects a tooth may be at risk, or if you have been experiencing unexplained sensitivity, discomfort, or changes in tooth sensation, a pulpal screening can provide clear answers. Using advanced diagnostic techniques and imaging, we can determine the source of the problem and recommend the most appropriate course of treatment to protect your oral health.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment removes infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth, relieves pain, and seals the tooth to prevent further infection-all while preserving your natural tooth. It is one of the most common and successful procedures in dentistry, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, modern root canal treatment does not cause pain—it is designed to eliminate it.
At Piedmont Endodontics, every root canal procedure is performed under local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Our doctors utilize advanced technology, including operating microscopes and 3D CBCT imaging when indicated, to provide precise diagnosis and treatment. Most procedures can be completed in a single visit lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Nitrous oxide is also available for patients who may benefit from additional relaxation during treatment.
Following treatment, most patients experience significant relief and are back to their normal routines within a day or two.
Endodontic Retreatment
When a previously treated tooth does not heal as expected or becomes reinfected, endodontic retreatment can provide a second opportunity to save it. Using advanced technology, including high-magnification operating microscopes and 3D CBCT imaging, our doctors carefully evaluate the tooth to determine the cause of the problem. Whether the issue is an untreated canal, recurrent decay, a fractured restoration, or a compromised seal, we can often identify and address it with precision.
Retreatment is a highly effective option for preserving natural teeth, and many patients are able to keep their treated tooth healthy and functional for years to come. If a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment is causing discomfort, or if your dentist has concerns about a previous treatment, a consultation with our team is the best next step. We will thoroughly evaluate your tooth, explain our findings, and help you understand all available treatment options.
Apical Surgery (Apicoectomy)
An apicoectomy is a specialized endodontic procedure used when root canal treatment or retreatment has not fully resolved an infection at the tip of a tooth's root. Also called apical surgery, the procedure involves a small incision in the gum tissue to access the affected area, remove infected tissue, and seal the end of the root to promote healing and prevent further infection.
The procedure is typically completed in a single visit under local anesthesia, with a focus on maximizing patient comfort throughout treatment. Most patients experience minimal downtime and are able to return to their normal activities within a day or two.
An apicoectomy allows us to treat areas that cannot be reached through conventional root canal therapy, providing another opportunity to preserve a natural tooth. Whenever possible, our goal is to save your tooth and help you maintain a healthy, functional smile for years to come.
Traumatic Dental Injuries
Dental injuries can happen suddenly from sports, falls, accidents, or other impacts, and prompt evaluation is often critical to saving the tooth. We diagnose and treat a wide range of traumatic dental injuries, including fractured teeth, displaced or loosened teeth, avulsed (knocked-out) teeth, and injuries to developing teeth. Depending on the type and severity of the injury, treatment may include repositioning and splinting the tooth, root canal therapy, apexification or regenerative endodontic procedures for immature teeth, or ongoing monitoring to ensure proper healing. Our goal is to preserve your natural tooth whenever possible and provide the specialized care needed for the best long-term outcome.
Internal Bleaching
Sometimes a tooth darkens after trauma because discoloration develops from within the tooth rather than on its surface. Internal bleaching is a conservative cosmetic procedure that lightens the tooth from the inside, helping restore a more natural appearance without removing healthy tooth structure. After confirming that the root canal is healthy and properly sealed, a specialized whitening material is placed inside the tooth and replaced as needed until the desired shade is achieved. Internal bleaching is often an excellent alternative to veneers or crowns for appropriately selected teeth.