Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. Mark R. Colin on Root Canal
Dr. Mark R. Colin is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Root Canal.
Q. What is root canal treatment?
A. Root canal treatment is the removal of the pulp of the tooth which contains the nerves, arteries and veins, and then filling the empty space with an inert material.
Q. What does treatment involve?
A. Root canal treatment involves drilling an "access hole" through the top or back of the tooth in order to locate and clean out the pulp chamber and root canals. Once the canal or canals are cleaned and funnel-shaped, the empty space is filled with a special rubber material which is sealed in place. The tooth may then be filled or crowned.
Q. What are the signs of needing endodontic treatment?
A. There are several different signs of needing endodontic treatment. The tooth may be very painful to hot or cold, it may be painful to chewing, or there may be no pain at all, but an x-ray may indicate an infection in the bone around the tip end of the tooth or there may be a pimple in the gum above the tooth at the area of the root end.
Q. Are pain pills and antibiotics an acceptable substitute for root canal?
A. Pain pills and antibiotics are only a temporary treatment for a tooth in need of a root canal, and they are not acceptable substitute treatments for root canal.
Q. Are there alternative treatments for root canal?
A. An alternative treatment for root canal therapy is tooth extraction and replacement of the tooth with a bridge or an implant. Occasionally, the tooth may be left alone with no treatment at all if there is no pain or detriment to the surrounding bone or other teeth.
Q. How much will the procedure cost?
A. Root canal treatment may cost between $700 and $1300, depending upon the tooth and the circumstances of the root canal.
Q. Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment?
A. Front, or anterior teeth will need at least a filling and possibly a post, core and crown. Back, or posterior teeth usually require that a crown be prepared and placed, unless the tooth already has a crown.
Q. How to contact Dr. Colin if we have further questions?
A. To reach Dr. Colin, you may call his office at 954-563-9722, visit his web site <www.markcolindds.com>, or e-mail him at markcolindds@hotmail.com.
