What Equipment Do Endodontists Use?

Entotontists are dentists who specialize in root canals. Their tools can include hand files, endodontics handpieces, broaches, finger pluggers,gutta-percha, paste fillers, rubber dams, sealers and cements, syringes, x-rays and local anesthetics.

Purpose

• Entodontic treatment is usually less expensive than extraction and replacement of a tooth with bridge. Tooth #18 image by Jeffrey Sinnock from Fotolia.com

  Most patients visit an endodontist when they have a severe toothache. The toothache may be caused by damaged tissues inside a tooth. A root canal can remove the damaged tissue, relieving the toothache.

Procedure

• An entodontist will use an x-ray to examine the tooth, and administer a local anesthetic. The endodontist will use a dental dam around the tooth to isolate it. He will use a tiny drill to access the inner chambers of the tooth, to clean and reshape the chamber. Next, the endodontist fills the area with gutta-percha. Gutta-percha is set with adhesive cement. The entodontist will use a temporary filling to close the tooth. It will be removed during your next visit.

Other Uses

• Endodontists also use their tools to treat other dental issues. Endodontists can treat craze lines, cracked teeth, fractured cusps, split teeth and verticle root fractures with their tools.