"Endo" is the Greek word for "inside" and "odont" is Greek for "tooth."  Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth.

To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know about the anatomy of the tooth.  Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp.  The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to tissues surrounding the root.  The pulp is important during a tooth's growth and development.  However, once a tooth is fully mature it can survive without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected.  The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth.  In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks.  If pulp disease is left untreated there is a possibility of discomfort or infection.

Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gingival tissues.  Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms.

The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the canal, a channel inside the root, then fills and seals the space.  Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.  After restoration your tooth should continue to function like any other tooth.

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by the pulp inflammation or infection.  With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure.

For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was a pain or infection before the procedure.  This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications.  Follow your endodontist's instructions carefully.

Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is complete.  However, if you have severe discomfort or pressure that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist.  If the tooth is tender for more than a few days, you should contact our office.

The cost varies depending on how complex the problem is and which tooth is affected.  Molars are more difficult to treat, the fee is usually more.  Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for endodontic treatment.

Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less than the alternative of having the tooth extracted.  An extracted tooth must be replaced with a bridge or implant to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting.  These procedures may cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration.  With root canal treatment you may save your natural teeth and money.

If the tooth needs a crown, be careful with hard or crunchy foods  until you have had it restored by your dentist.  An unrestored tooth maybe susceptible to fracture. You should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible if a crown is needed.  Otherwise, you need only practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing and regular check-ups and cleanings.

Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth.  In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues.  Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseases months or even years after successful treatment.  Often, when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save the tooth.

New trauma, deep decay or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in your tooth.  In some cases, the endodontist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure.

Most teeth can be treated.  Occasionally, a tooth can't be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn't have adequate bone support or the tooth cannot be restored.  However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost.  When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.

"UCR" is the term used by insurance companies to describe the amount they are willing to pay for a particular endodontic procedure.  There is no standard fee or accepted method for determining the UCR and the UCR has no relationship to the fee charged by your endodontist.  The administrator of each dental benefit plan determines the fees that the plan will pay, based on many factors including the region of the country, the number of procedures performed and most importantly the individual plan purchased for you by your place of employment.

Your dental benefit may vary for a number of reasons, such as:

*You have already used some or all of the benefits available from your dental insurance.

* Your insurance plan paid only a percentage of the fee charged by your endodontist.

* The treatment you needed was not a covered benefit.

* You have not yet met your deductible.

* You have not reached the end of your plan's waiting period and are currently ineligible for coverage.

Your endodontist diagnoses and provides treatment based on his or her professional judgment and not on the cost of that care.  Some employers or insurance plans may exclude coverage for necessary treatment as a way to reduce costs.  Your plan may not include this particular treatment or procedure, although your endodontist deemed the treatment necessary.

Your payment portion will vary according to the UCR of your plan, your maximum allowable benefit and other factors.  Ultimately, the patient portion may  not be known until the insurance check has been received.

Your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is a wealth of information.  The EOB identifies the benefits, the amount your insurance carrier is willing to pay and charges that are not covered by your plan.  The statement includes the following: UCR, co-payment amount / patient portion, remaining benefits, deductible and benefits paid.

The time for a dental insurance carrier to process an insurance claim varies.  At least 38 states have enacted laws requiring dental insurance carriers to pay claims within a timely period (ranging from 15-60 days).