Endodontics in Minot, ND

Dakota Dental Health Center provides endodontic services in Minot, ND. Call 701-852-4755 to learn more and schedule your appointment.

Endodontics is the dental specialty that focuses on the dental pulp and root tissues of the teeth. Endodontic procedures can often save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted due to extensive damage or decay. At Dakota Dental Health Center, we provide three main types of endodontic services.

Root canals are the most common type of endodontic service, yet they are arguably the most feared of all dental procedures. Fortunately, modern technology and pain management techniques have rendered the root canal virtually pain-free.

A root canal is performed when decay or damage has infiltrated the tooth’s roots. Left untreated, the infected tooth could develop an abscess, which could compromise the jawbone as well as the tooth and gums, or even lead to a serious physical illness. The only alternative to a root canal is extraction of the tooth.

To perform a root canal, we first numb the entire tooth and surrounding tissues with local anesthetic. We then drill a hole through the crown of the tooth into the root chamber. We use specialized tools to clean all damage, infection, and decay from the root canal(s), insert a post if necessary, and fill and seal the canal(s) with a biocompatible material known as gutta percha. We will then place a temporary crown over the treated tooth, and you will return in a few days for a final, customized crown. Pain is generally minimal and responds well to painkillers, and most people are back to work within 48 hours.

Root canals performed by endodontists have a 95% success rate. In the rare event that a root canal fails, though, the first course of action is to perform a retreatment. This is possible even if pain or disease sets in years after the original root canal. The most common factors that could lead to retreatment include new decay, a loose or broken crown, or a fracture in the tooth.

We will first use a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb the tooth and surrounding tissues. We will then remove the crown, reopen the tooth, scrape out the sealant, and disassemble any restorative materials such as a post. Then we will carefully examine the inside of the tooth with a microscope, searching for unusual anatomy or additional canals that may need treatment. We will then clean and seal the canals, place a new post if required, and place a temporary crown. You will return a few days later to have a new customized crown placed.

An apicoectomy is typically performed after a root canal retreatment fails. This procedure removes the tip of the tooth root and replaces it with a filling.

First, we will thoroughly numb the tooth and surrounding tissues with a local anesthetic. Then we will cut a small incision in your gum tissue to expose the tooth root. We will use magnification and tiny, precision instruments to remove the inflamed tissue. This is typically only a few millimeters of the root. We then place a filling and use sutures to close the gums. The bone will heal around the treated root over the next several months.

Call 701-852-4755 to schedule your first appointment.