Importance of an Endodontist for Root Canals and Saving Teeth

An active member of professional organizations such as the American Dental Association, Dr. Terry Isom owns Portland, Oregon-based Terry L. Isom, DMD, PC, where he provides quality care, including root canal treatments. In the course of doing so, Dr. Terry Isom removes diseased pulp while preserving the stable superstructure that natural teeth provide.

When considering a root canal, it makes sense to seek out an endodontist who specializes in the type of procedure required. According to the American Association of Endodontists, less than 3 percent of U.S. dentists hold such qualifications, which requires two to three additional years of advanced training.

In some cases where a general dentist might recommend extracting a tooth and replacing it with a crown or implant, an endodontist would seek out ways of saving the infected natural tooth. For this reason, those who focus on root canals call themselves “Specialists in Saving Teeth.”

Additionally, endodontists have knowledge of diverse situations requiring root canals and the specific approach that will work best, given the individual’s teeth positioning and level of inflammation and decay. This is facilitated by a certified endodontist caring for the tooth every step of the way.

Understanding Sinusitis with an Endodontic Origin

Based in Portland, Oregon, Terry L. Isom, DMD, directs Isom Endodontics and provides treatments that are effective in preserving teeth in danger of being lost. A particular focus of Dr. Terry Isom and his team is in leading edge root canal therapies that reflect the patient’s overall health needs. 

A recent article in the American Association of Endodontists’ Communique brought focus to endodontic infections that do not display the usual symptoms such as dental pain, sinus tracts and swelling, and ligament widening identifiable through radiographic tests. 

A type of infection that often has an unclear endodontic source is that which occurs in the maxillary posterior teeth. Spreading throughout the maxillary sinuses, the end result is maxillary sinusitis of endodontic origin (MSEO). This has sinonasal symptoms that may include facial pain, congestion, runny nose, and an unpleasant odor. Thermal pain does not occur because the tooth's endodontic therapy is failing, and percussion tenderness is absent because the sinus acts as a drain for infection pressure.

Unfortunately, sinonasal symptoms often lead to primary physician misdiagnosis, rather than proper endodontic care. For the dentist to discover endodontic reasons for sinusitis, existing teeth need to be carefully examined for pulpal necrosis and past endodontic treatments should be evaluated. The endodontic component must be identified in order to perform comprehensive treatment, rather than simple removal of the diseased sinus tissue.

The Emerging Use of Regenerative Endodontics in Restoring Teeth Roots

Terry Isom, DMD, is a respected professional in the Portland, Oregon dental community who guides Isom Endodontics and provides experienced care that saves teeth through the use of root canal procedures. Dr. Terry L. Isom maintains a strong interest in developments in his field, including advancements in regenerative endodontics. 

Developed over the past two decades, this expanding discipline involves facilitating root development in pulp systems which were previously infected and necrotic. Recommended by the American Association of Endodontists, this approach involves the use of "stem-cell-friendly" protocols. These involve disinfection of the root canal through a 1.5 percent sodium hypochlorite solution, followed by the use of biocompatible materials to encourage regeneration. 

Particularly critical among young patients with incomplete root development, which impacts long-term tooth preservation, regenerative endodontics has expanded its applications in recent years to include adult patients with mature teeth. A number of clinical case reports have demonstrated the comprehensive resolution of pulp necrosis in adult teeth through such techniques. These successful outcomes extend to mature teeth that had experienced pulp canal obliteration and significant periapical lesions.

The Benefits of a Root Canal Procedure

Dr. Terry Isom, past president of the Clackamas County Dental Society, has served as an endodontist in Portland, Oregon, at his own practice since 2009. In this role, Dr. Terry Isom provides patients with a variety of services and procedures, including root canals.

There are a number of positive benefits to receiving a root canal procedure. Thanks to the advances of modern dentistry, teeth are able to survive after losing their pulp to infection by relying on the tissue of surrounding teeth. The development of the root canal procedure has resulted in millions of infected teeth being saved every year. In most cases, endodontic treatments are painless and can be completed in as few as one or two visits to an endodontist.

After saving and restoring a healthy tooth, patients will be able to resume all normal activities. Any person experiencing tooth pain should contact a respected endodontist and inquire about the possibility of a root canal procedure.