WHAT IS A ROOT CANAL?
When the inside core of the tooth has gone bad due to decay, for example, the tooth can be saved safely by removing the inside core called the "dental pulp." HERE IS HOW YOUR TOOTH IS SAVED THROUGH ROOT CANAL TREATMENT:
After you have been anesthetized with local anesthesia,
a small opening is made in the top of your tooth.
At this point, the pulp and nerves are removed from the
inside of your tooth. The root canals are cleaned
and shaped. The root portion of the tooth is sealed
and filled with a sterile material called "guttapercha".
Sometimes, a tooth is too infected to seal the canals
at the first appointment and a special medication is placed
in your tooth for about a week at which point you will need
to return to have the treatment completed. After either
procedure, a temporary filling material will be placed in
the access opening. After completion of your root
canal you should call your general dentist for a final restoration
(usually a crown) as soon as possible.
WHAT IS MICROSCOPIC ENDODONTIC THERAPY?
Dr. Davis uses a Zeiss microscope. Zeiss is famous for engineering lenses for the Hubble Telescope and the camera responsible for photographing Mars. Being able to view inside of a tooth with a microscope allows Dr. Davis to see everything more clearly. It enhances her ability to treat teeth endodontically by magnifying the inside of the tooth.
IS MICROSCOPIC ENDODONTIC THERAPY REALLY SUPERIOR?
Dr. Davis' emphatic response: "Are you kidding? It's better than sliced bread. I can see the hills and valleys clearly inside of the tooth. I can see things I probably shouldn't. Just kidding."
WHY CHOOSE MICROSCOPIC ENDODONTIC THERAPY?
See for yourself.
This photo show what we can see with the 'naked eye' and how Dr. Davis is able to view teeth through the microscope.
Photo used with permission by Rev. Wilmer.
This is a view through a microscope. You can view the canals within this tooth clearly. Courtesy Zeiss Microscopes.
