Many patients notice the significant high tech advances in dentistry today. They especially take note of pain-free procedures such as root canals. Dr. Linda Niessen looks at these major changes in today’s Dental Health Check.Note: Broadcast video of this segment appears below the story.
Dentistry has changed dramatically since Bruce Endendyk had his first root canal forty years ago at the age of twelve.
"It was a tremendous ordeal,"said Bruce "compared to one several years ago, which was less of an ordeal, to this one today which was really no different than having a normal filling done."
Once portrayed as a profession of torture, dentistry and its tools provided painful scenes for movies and television.The contrast today is truly remarkable. Digital x-rays provide instant images, improve diagnosis, and reduce radiation exposure. Surgical microscopes light up and magnify the darkest, smallest roots of an infected tooth. Quiet, electric low speed drills perform root canal treatment quickly and with virtually no pain.
Endodontist Dr. James Gutmann says, "And because many of the cases we can do now, because of the technology, we can do in one visit, they also are enthralled by the fact ... ’I only have to come once. The needleis only placed once. I can have my case done’ and guess what? We call them the next day, Linda, they say ‘that was comfortable. That was a wonderful experience.’ And it really is a procedure to get people out of pain."
Patient Bruce Endendyk describes the procedure as: "a lot more pleasant experience than it used to be."
Advances in endodontics has reduced the risk of complications in patients with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes or stroke. Almost anyone can have a root canal now, often in just one visit. For Texas A&M Health Science Center, Baylor College of Dentistry, I’m Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.
For more information:
www.aae.org
American Association of Endodontists
Click on “Patients” to learn more
about advances in endodontics.
Inquiries:
Dr. James Gutmann, Endodontist
8201 Preston Road
Dallas, TX 214-361-6669
STORY: Pain free Root Canal
Script #871 Shoot: 9/19/07
AIRDATE: Monday, November 5, 2007
DHC Master #19 Timecode: 54:14 SOVT: 1:38
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