If you’ve been experiencing toothaches, sensitivity and/or swollen gums, the first step to relief is to schedule an appointment with your dentist. Once your symptoms are assessed and a thorough examination is completed, a possible diagnosis could be infected root canal system.
If you’ve been diagnosed with this infection, the next step is to find a root canal specialist who can provide treatment.
What is a Root Canal Specialist?
Your dentist may be able to provide root canal therapy themselves, or they’ll choose to refer you to a root canal specialist.
A root canal specialist, or endodontist, is a dentist who has specialized in root canal diagnosis and treatments. Root canal specialists are experts in endodontics—the area of dentistry that focuses on the tooth’s interior. Thanks to their years of training, endodontists are able to efficiently perform root canal therapy.
How Does Root Canal Therapy Work?
Once you’ve found a root canal specialist in your area, consider which method of therapy they use at their practice.
During a standard root canal treatment, files are used to open a path in the infected pulp in the root canal. Once this path is opened, similar instruments are manually operated to clean and shape the root canal. While this method has been proven to be effective, there is still a chance of reinfection, as the instruments can miss hard-to-reach areas and leave bacteria behind.
The GentleWave® Procedure is a minimally invasive alternative to standard root canal treatment.1 This procedure uses the same instruments to open a path in the root canal, but once the root canal specialist has access to this path, new technology comes into play.
The GentleWave System uses procedure fluids that travel through the canal, cleaning and disinfecting the root canal system1,2 by reaching into spaces that standard root canal treatments cannot.3 This method results in a disinfected root canal system with less chance of failure over time!4
Finding the GentleWave System Near You
If you’re interested in the alternative to standard root canal treatment, you can use our Provider Finder to locate a GentleWave dentist or endodontist who offers this technology.