Dr. Hoff offers root canal therapy for our patients who require this sort of dental therapy.

Dr. Hoff will start by completely numbing the tooth that needs treatment. A dental dam will be placed around the tooth to isolate it. This keeps it clean and dry during treatment. The treatment consists of three basic steps to shape, clean and seal the root canal system. Root canals typically only require one visit, however, in certain cases of severe infection two visits may be needed to properly treat the tooth.

Diagnose and Treat Pain

Oral pain such as toothaches or cracked / fractured teeth can often be difficult to pinpoint. Because of the vast network of nerves in the mouth, the pain of a damaged or diseased tooth often is felt in another tooth and/or in the head, neck, or ear. Dr. Hoff is a specialist in diagnosing and treating this type of pain. Prior to every treatment, he performs a comprehensive examination to ensure that endodontic therapy is right for you.

Treating Traumatic Injuries

Pulp damage is sometimes caused by a blow to the mouth, and Dr. Hoff can treat these traumatic injuries. For example, a blow to a child’s permanent tooth that is not fully developed can cause the root to stop growing. A procedure called apexification stimulates bone to be deposited at the end of the root which makes it possible to then save the tooth through a root canal procedure.

Will I need to return to your office for additional visits?

Once endodontic therapy is completed your tooth should be examined periodically, usually every 6 – 12 months. This allows us to make sure the tooth has healed or is healing properly. You will be sent a notice in the mail when we feel it is appropriate to reevaluate the area.

Retreatment

Occasionally a tooth that has undergone endodontic, treatment fails to heal or pain continues despite therapy. Although rare, sometimes a tooth initially responds to root canal therapy but becomes painful or diseased months or years later. When either of these situations occur, the tooth often can be maintained with a second endodontic treatment.