About Root Canal Treatment and Endodontics

Endodontics is the practice of maintaining the health of teeth through therapeutic procedures concerning dental pulp, the soft tissues inside of teeth. While all dentists have some level of training in endodontic therapy, the specialist and staff here at Lake Superior Endodontics have years of additional specialized training and experience focused on endodontic treatment. They provide exceptional root canal therapy for even the most difficult teeth to treat and diagnose. Our practice helps patients restore their oral health and find relief from pain related to issues with the dental pulp.
Visit us for compassionate care from our endodontist, Dr. Thomas J. Zbaracki Jr.

Endodontic Treatment Servives

  • Root Canal Therapy
  • Root Canal Surgery
  • Endodontic Retreatment
  • Traumatic Injuries

About Root Canal Therapy

When the dental pulp of a tooth becomes damaged, decayed, or infected, treatment must be provided to eliminate the problems inside the root of the tooth before the restorative dentist can rebuild it. Dental pulp is the tiny bundle of nerves, blood vessels, specialized cells, and tissues that contribute to the development of teeth. It is the damage or inflammation of this bundle of nerves and tissues that results in severe dental pain. Root canal therapy is the process of cleaning this area inside the tooth and removing the damaged or infected pulp. It is important to have this area cleaned effectively to remove the source of any infection before it can spread further into surrounding teeth and gum tissue. Endodontists provide much of this care using an operating microscope.

What is Root Canal Surgery?

Root canal surgery refers to the surgical procedure of removing infected or severely damaged dental pulp. Dr. Zbaracki performs the operation as part of the root canal treatment to clear away the affected tissue and relieve the patient of pain. The procedure is relatively simple and anesthesia is used to minimize discomfort during the operation.

Endodontic Retreatment

Proper care should keep teeth healthy after endodontic treatment, but in some cases, teeth may heal incorrectly or decay after root canal therapy, requiring further treatment from an endodontic specialist. Endodontic retreatment is additional care for a tooth after a previous root canal. This treatment may save teeth that have become re-infected, reduce pain, and promote proper healing.
Happy Patient after Root Canal — Duluth, MN — Lake Superior Endodontics

Some situations that may cause improper healing after an initial root canal treatment include:

  • Curved or Narrow Canals that Were Left Untreated During the First Procedure
  • Delay of Restorative Measures, Such as a Crown, After the Initial Procedure
  • The Initial Treatment Did Not Prevent Contaminated Saliva from Reaching the Tooth Pulp

Cracking, fracturing, or other physical damage to a restored tooth can also result in a need for further endodontic treatment. Call 218.625.8630 to schedule an appointment if you are bothered by a tooth that has previously received root canal treatment.

Special Care After Traumatic Injuries

Patients may encounter problems related to the health of dental pulp after severe physical impact on a tooth. Lake Superior Endodontics provides specialized care after a patient's oral health has been affected by traumatic injury. Dr. Zbaracki can examine dislodged teeth, inspect for pulp damage, and treat accordingly. For teeth that are badly damaged, Dr. Zbaracki will provide endodontic treatment and restorative measures as necessary to save the teeth.

Schedule an Appointment

Call Lake Superior Endodontics at 218.625.8630 to schedule a visit.