Root canal dentistry has changes a great deal over the course of its history. A fact emphasized by the fact that the American Association of Endodontists officially changed the name of the procedure to root canal therapy or endodontic therapy rather than calling it root canal treatment or root canal surgery. This name change is due largely to the fact that our understanding of the anatomy of the tooth has increased and dental technology has provided us with a number of tools for quickly and efficiently do the procedure.

       Root canal dentistry requires patience, preparation and understanding. The root canal procedure often requires several visits to the dentist office although many can be done in just one visit. This difference in the time to complete a procedure is due to several factors. Some teeth have more roots than others. Some people have teeth with more roots than is common and certain root structures are more complex than others. So how long it takes to finish the work is largely dependent on individual tooth anatomy. How long the procedure takes in not necessarily a reflection of the skill of the dentist.

       Root canal dentistry is also known as Endodontics. This basically means "inside the tooth". The procedure is made possible by the fact that the pulp inside the tooth is not vital to the life of the tooth. Any infection inside the tooth can be cleaned out and replaced while the rest of the tooth is nourished by the surrounding gums. Once the inside of the tooth is cleaned out, gutta percha is used to fill it in and a dental crown is placed on top of the tooth, restoring its full functionality.

       While many people may still have a degree of fear about root canal dentistry, the alternatives are not much better. If you have a tooth extraction, you must replace the gap left behind with a bridge, partial or dental implant. These can be expensive procedures and each one has a number of potential drawbacks. A bridge can over-stress the adjacent teeth causing failure. Partials can create problems for your gums and implants, while strong and long lasting, are expensive and not everyone is a candidate. The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being and you are welcome to join our family of patients. If you would like to schedule a free dental consultation with our Root Canal Dentist, Charles Chung DMD, call 404-874-7428.