Specializing in Endodontics in Baton Rouge, LA

Endodontic treatment, or a root canal, is necessary when the inside of the tooth, the pulp, becomes infected, inflamed, or diseased. The layer on the outside of the tooth is the white enamel, and beneath that is a hard tissue called the dentin. The pulp is inside the dentin and contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues.

A tooth can become infected because of decay, repeated dental procedures, or a chip in the tooth. The pulp can be damaged from trauma even if there is no crack to show for it. If left untreated, it can become painful and develop an abscess.

Some signs that the dental pulp is damaged are; prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling in the gums. Sometimes your doctor may be able to diagnose the infection before symptoms begin.

As an endodontist, Dr. Saltzman will remove the inflamed or infected pulp and seal the canal. A crown is often needed to protect the tooth and restore function. The tooth will continue to function like all other teeth because of the healthy tissue supporting it.

Our office offers Intravenous Sedation to help patients with their dental needs. Patients who choose Intravenous Sedation report an excellent dental experience and usually do not remember the procedure.

What can I expect during and after root canal treatment?

Most cases take less than an hour. Current advances in techniques and anesthetics make treatment very comfortable during the procedure. Most patients can return to work and daily activities immediately after treatment, much like after a dental filling. For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or acute infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow Dr. Saltzman’s instructions carefully. Intravenous sedation is available in our office for patients who desire to be sedated. Patients who choose intravenous sedation report an excellent dental experience and usually do not remember the procedure.

Do I need to take antibiotics before the root canal?

The sooner the infection is removed, the sooner you will feel better. Removing infection from your body is the most important step to relieving pain and swelling and allows antibiotics to work more effectively. Current advances in endodontics and anesthetics make this possible.

How much does it cost?

Endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than removing the tooth and an artificial replacement. Actually, the value of a natural tooth is irreplaceable. Most dental insurance policies provide coverage for endodontic treatment.

Most of the time the tooth that had the endodontic treatment will last like all your other teeth. Sometimes the infection is persistent and another root canal is necessary. The infection may return after months or years but you still get a second chance at saving your tooth and relieving your pain.

Dr. Saltzman performs root canal treatments daily. He is highly experienced in treating difficult cases to resolve the infection. Using advanced technology and specialty training, our office is confident that we will provide the best care possible so you have the best chance of saving your tooth.

A tooth may not heal after the first root canal for the following reasons:

• Complicated canals went undetected.
• Narrow or curved canals were not treated.
• Failure to remove all of the infection during the first procedure.
• Placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed following the endodontic treatment.
• Crown or restoration did not prevent contamination to the inside of the tooth.
• New decay under the crown or other restoration allowed new infection in the tooth.
• Loose or damaged crown or restoration can expose the tooth to a new infection.

Dr. Saltzman can save most teeth, even those with significant problems. There is no substitute for a natural tooth.

What will happen during retreatment?

During retreatment the crown, post, and core materials must be taken apart and removed so Dr. Saltzman has access to the root canals. He will then clean, fill, and seal the canals and place a filling inside the tooth. Once completed, you may have to return to your general dentist to have a new crown put on your tooth.

What about sedation?

Intravenous sedation is available in our office for patients who desire to be sedated. Patients who choose intravenous sedation report an excellent dental experience and usually do not remember the procedure.

What is an apicoectomy?

An apicoectomy is a microsurgical procedure that is performed when inflammation or infection persists around the bone at the end of the root after a root canal procedure. “Apicoectomy” is simply a fancy word for removing the infection at the end of the root. The top of the root is removed and a small filling may be placed to seal the end of the root.

What can I expect during and after the apicoectomy?

With modern technology and anesthetics you can be very comfortable during treatment. After the procedure you can expect some swelling that will subside in about a week. Most of the time patients return to work after five days with restrictions.

Post-operative discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow Dr. Saltzman’s instructions carefully. We will have you return to our office to follow up and remove any sutures that have not dissolved.

The endodontist can save most teeth, even those with significant problems. There is no substitute for a natural tooth.

How much does it cost?

An apicoectomy is less expensive than removing the tooth and an artificial replacement. Actually, the value of a natural tooth is irreplaceable. Most dental insurance policies provide coverage for apicoectomy (endodontic microsurgery).

What about sedation?

Intravenous sedation is available in our office for patients who desire to be sedated. Patients who choose intravenous sedation report an excellent dental experience and usually do not remember the procedure.

Cracked teeth can have a variety of symptoms including pain when chewing or when the tooth is exposed to very warm or cold temperatures. It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose a cracked tooth.

Cracks may lead to infection in the pulp tissue, which can then spread to the bone and gums. It’s important to get to the endodontist, find the crack, and correct it before the infection begins and spreads.

Our office offers Intravenous Sedation to help patients with their dental needs. Patients who choose Intravenous Sedation report an excellent dental experience and usually do not remember the procedure.

Types of Cracks
The treatment of cracks varies depending on the type, location, and severity of the crack.

Craze Lines
Craze lines affect the outer enamel and are very common in adult teeth. They cause no pain and are mostly a cosmetic concern.

Cracked Tooth
A tooth is cracked when the crack goes from the enamel to the inner layers of the tooth. This can result in infection and damage to the pulp, requiring a root canal procedure.

Split Tooth
A tooth will split when a cracked tooth is left to progress and worsen. A split tooth is when a crack has distinct segments that can be separated.

Vertical Root Fracture
This is when a crack begins in the root and extends toward the chewing surface. Sometimes the tooth may be saved if the fractured root can be removed through endodontic surgery.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is a type of 3D imaging that uses a cone-shaped x-ray beam to create cross-sectional images of the mouth.

This kind of imaging can be used to detect, diagnose, and treat dental issues. It can also be used to provide a more accurate representation of what is happening inside the mouth than traditional dental X-rays. For example, it’s beneficial when planning surgical procedures such as dental implants.

The CBCT machine works by rotating around the patient while taking hundreds of X-rays from different angles. The resulting data is then processed by a computer to create cross-sectional images that can be viewed from any angle.

It’s used for many dental applications, such as trauma surgery, oral surgery, maxillofacial surgery, sinus disease diagnosis, bite analysis, and treatment planning for orthodontics.

Dental microscopes are often used by endodontists when performing root canal therapy on teeth that have been damaged by decay, infection, or trauma. These microscopes allow them to examine the innermost parts of the tooth structure to determine if any damage has occurred inside that cannot be seen through regular inspection methods like X-rays or visual inspection alone.