Knowledge Center

Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) refers to the practice of the administration of antibiotics to patients without signs of infection in order to reduce subsequent postoperative or post-treatment complications by the prevention of bacterial colonization. In dentistry, the main indications for antibiotic prophylaxis have been to prevent infective endocarditis (IE) and prosthetic joint implant infection in patients who are at risk. Learn more.

Tooth Saving Tips

Patients today have more options than ever before to treat their teeth. Understanding your choices and their impact on your future dental health and lifestyle is important. Read on to learn why nothing is as good as your natural tooth and get simple tips for saving your teeth! Learn more.

Traumatic Dental Injuries

Dental injuries frequently occur as a result of an accident or sports injury. An injured immature tooth may need one of the following procedures to improve the chances of saving the tooth due to traumatic dental injuries: apexogenesis, apexification, dislodged teeth, and avulsed teeth. Learn more about these treatments.

Cracked Teeth

A cracked tooth often manifests itself when pain comes and goes as you chew or eat certain foods. It may be difficult to diagnose a cracked tooth as the fissure may be too small to be seen on an x-ray. There are different treatment options: observe to monitor pain, or consult to learn if a dental crown, tooth extraction, or root canal is recommended. A CBCT scan is sometimes beneficial in helping with the diagnosis of cracked teeth.

Osteonecrosis

Bis-Phosphonate Related Osteonecrosis

Bisphosphonates such as Fosamax® are an important class of drugs that have widespread use in managing osteoporosis and treating certain cancers. A recently recognized adverse effect, bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ), has important medical and dental implications. The American Association of Endodontists offers this revised position statement on its implications. Please alert us if you have ever taken bis-phosphonates. Learn more.

Latex Allergy

As a result of the chemical similarity between natural rubber and gutta-percha, the material used in filling the root canal, questions have arisen concerning its use in patients with a history of natural rubber latex allergy. To date, there’s only one report of a supposed allergic reaction to gutta-percha. There is, however, no definitive proof that the patient had a true allergic reaction to the gutta-percha. In patients with a true immediate hypersensitivity to natural rubber latex, a consultation with the patient’s allergist should be made prior to initiating the obturation phase of treatment. Learn more.

Root Canal Safety

In the 1920s, Dr. Weston A. Price presented research suggesting that bacteria trapped in dentinal tubules during root canal treatment could “leak” and cause almost any type of degenerative systemic disease. This now-debunked theory resulted in a frightening era of tooth extraction both for the treatment of systemic disease and as a prophylactic measure against future illness. By the 1930s, several well-designed studies using more modern research techniques discredited his findings. Unfortunately, there are still some who continue to propagate this unfounded fear today. Feel free to discuss this and any other concerns on the safety of Endodontic Therapy with our specially trained doctors. Learn more.

Dental Dam

Tooth isolation using the dental dam is the standard of care; it is integral and essential for any nonsurgical endodontic treatment. A dental dam is a latex or nonlatex sheet with a hole punched in the material to allow placement around the tooth during the endodontic procedure. One of the primary objectives of endodontic treatment is disinfection of the root canal system. Only dental dam isolation minimizes the risk of contamination of the root canal system by indigenous oral bacteria. The dental dam also offers other benefits, such as aiding in visualization by providing a clean operating field and preventing ingestion or aspiration of dental materials, irrigants, and instruments. Learn more.

Tooth Restoration

The Root Canal Treatment Is Complete — Now What? Preventing contamination of the root canal system between the completion of endodontic treatment and restoration of the tooth should be a primary concern. Contamination is thought to be an important cause of future problems in endodontically treated teeth. Therefore, an immediate restoration should be placed, whenever possible. Delaying restorative treatment to assess the success of the endodontic treatment is generally not in the best interest of the patient. Posterior teeth with root canal treatment should receive a crown or onlay. Anterior teeth with minimal loss of tooth structure can be restored conservatively with bonded restorations.