Have you ever had a root canal?
Or, have you had a friend or family member who has had one? In either case, you might think of a root canal as a stressful and painful experience. Traditional root canals have been the only way of preserving teeth that could not be saved by a filling. While many root canals have been done without any trauma, there are cases in the past that were more complicated. For this reason, some people fear getting a root canal.
We have fantastic news for you. It no longer needs to be so scary.
Before I fill you in with the details, let me share a little history of root canals and how far we have come.
History of Root Canals
Archeologists discovered a human skull in a desert in Israel that dates back to the second or third century B.C. In one of the teeth, they found a bronze wire that could have been used to treat an infected root canal. The wire was located at the site of the infection. This would be the same spot we would target with a modern-day root canal.
From the first century A.D. until the 1600s, dentists performed root canals by draining the pulp chambers to relieve pain. Then they covered them with a protective coating made from either gold foil or asbestos. Around 1838, the first official root canal instrument was constructed. It allowed easier access to the pulp that is located within the root of the tooth.
Modern Root Canals
Both X-ray technology and anesthetics introduced in the 1900s greatly improved root canal procedures. With x-rays, a dentist could more accurately target the diseased part of the tooth. Anesthetics helped the patient be more comfortable. With this technology, dentists and endodontists have saved many teeth that would have been lost. This is important because your natural teeth help you maintain your smile and bite. Also, natural teeth can last a lifetime. Despite the safety and efficiency of the modern technique, there have still been instances of complications.
The Minimally Invasive Root Canal Alternative: GentleWave© Procedure
Now, at last, there is a procedure that has completely redefined the root canal procedure. GentleWave® Procedure is a minimally invasive alternative to standard root canal treatment. It utilizes Multisonic Ultracleaning® technology. It uses sound waves and a stream of treatment fluid to thoroughly and painlessly remove the damaged tissue and bacteria. With this tool, we can reach through the entire root canal system. In other words, we achieve a thorough cleaning of the complex root canal system.
Advantages of the GentleWave Procedure:
Minimally Invasive
With the GentleWave Procedure, we can remove damaged tissue, debris, and bacteria effectively, minimizing the need for manual instruments.
Effective Cleaning
The high-tech fluid system distributes fluids throughout your root canal system. Thereby, we remove the infection from the root canal system while preserving valuable tooth structure.
Saves Time
In most cases, we can complete the procedure in just one appointment. And, the technology is so effective at cleaning the root canal; you have less chance of needing a root canal retreatment later.
Watch the short video below to see what patients have to say about GentleWave Procedure:
Conclusion
We are very excited to have this technology in our practice to give you the most efficient and effective root canal treatment. If you have had any fears about getting a root canal, rest assured we have the best technology to make your experience stress free. Contact us for more information.
Sincerely,
Dr. J.D. Simonton