An endodontist is a specialist in diagnosing and treating issues related to your tooth roots and dental pulp. As an endodontist, Dr. Breig has undergone years of specialized training beyond dental school. Endodontists like Dr. Breig regularly perform root canals.

All endodontists complete extra training focused in root health issues after dental school. But not all of them are equipped with the same level of dental technology as Dr. Breig. He uses low-radiation cone beam CT scanners to properly diagnose your condition before many procedures. During them he uses a surgical microscope, which makes treatment more precise and minimizes the chance of complications.

A root canal is actually two different things! Root canals are the narrow vertical channels in the roots of your teeth that hold nerves and blood vessels. A root canal is also the name of the treatment Dr. Breig uses when the area becomes infected. When this happens, Dr. Breig clears the infected tissue from the area and reinforces the inside of your tooth with a special filling.

Typical symptoms include tooth pain (up to severe, throbbing pain), discomfort when chewing, swollen gums around a specific tooth, and increased tooth sensitivity.

Though severe pain is what causes you to discover that you have a root canal infection, Dr. Breig does the utmost to minimize your pain during and after treatment. He achieves this with a powerful combination of advanced, minimally invasive dental technology and multiple sedation options.

While some general dentists perform root canals, many refer their patients to an endodontist. And with good reason! Endodontists receive years of specialized training in root canals that general dentists don’t have. It’s always best to choose a highly trained specialist like Dr. Breig for a sensitive procedure such as this.

Root canal re-treatment can be necessary if the treated root canals become contaminated (by saliva, for example) or become infected again. In some cases, the size and shape of your root canals may make it difficult to treat. Your dentist may miss some areas of infection. Dr. Breig uses special equipment before and during root canals—a cone beam CT scanner and a surgical microscope—to minimize the likelihood of this happening.

Since the tooth is infected deep inside, it will either need to be repaired or removed. It’s not only unsightly but unhealthy to leave a gap in your smile. In such cases your dentist may suggest a bridge or a dental implant—treatment which can carry a significant cost.