Endodontics

What This Page Covers

  • Endodontics involves treating dental pulp and soft tissue diseases. It focuses on preserving natural teeth through specialized procedures like root canals and surgeries to address issues like inflammation and infection.
  • Endodontists perform procedures such as root canals, treatments for dental injuries, apicoectomies, and pulp capping, all of which aim to save natural teeth and maintain oral health.
  • Visits to an endodontist may involve localized exams concerning pathology, diagnostic imaging, a discussion of treatment options, and treatments for either pain or infection. We ensure our patients receive tailored care for their specific dental issues, resulting in effective and efficient treatments.
  • Burien Endodontics provides expert endodontic care, focusing on patient comfort and effective treatments. We work closely with general dentists to ensure comprehensive dental health and successful outcomes for all patients.
Burien Endo

At Burien Endodontics, we aim to provide exceptional endodontic care, focusing on patient comfort and efficiency. Located in Burien, WA, our state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to maintaining your natural teeth through specialized treatments, such as non-surgical root canal therapy and endodontic surgery. 

Our experienced team, led by Dr. Matthew Tomala, combines advanced technology with a compassionate approach, ensuring every patient receives personalized and gentle care. Trust Burien Endodontics for all your endodontic needs, where dental health and comfort are our top priorities. If you’re looking for quality endodontic care, please get in touch with Burien Endodontics to schedule an appointment or consultation with one of our dedicated providers.

What Qualifies as Endodontic Care?

Endodontics is primarily concerned with diseases or injuries related to the pulp and soft tissues inside a tooth. Most endodontists focus on the health of the pulp, performing assessments and performing surgeries on or around the dental pulp.

How is Endodontics Different From Dentistry?

Endodontics is a dental specialization that requires additional years of training beyond a general dentistry degree program. Endodontics focuses on internal tooth problems, including those related to roots, damaged nerves, inflammation, infection, or other injuries or issues.

Most patients come to endodontic practitioners for specific issues they have noticed at home or after a referral from a dentist. It’s common for endodontists and other dental providers to work in tandem to improve the chances of retaining your natural tooth’s health and functionality.

Common Endodontic Procedures

The most common endodontic procedure is the root canal, a treatment that removes the highly inflamed or infected pulp and nerves from an infected tooth. An endodontist then cleans and fills the tooth with dental material, saving the natural tooth from extraction or other complications.

Endodontists will also commonly perform the following procedures:

  • Root canal therapy
  • Assessment and treatment of dental injuries
  • Retreatment of existing root canals demonstrating pathology 
  • Apical surgery or Apicoectomy
  • Assessment of tooth restorability
  • Evaluation of root cracks and fractures
  • Assessment of resorption cases
  • Direct and indirect pulp capping

Endodontists can provide additional services, though these are the most common reasons for patients to visit one. If you receive a referral for endodontic care, your regular dentist can provide additional information about your personal circumstances. If you need more information about prospective endodontic care, you can also give us a call at Burien Endodontics.

What Can You Expect During an Endodontic Visit?

Going to the endodontist is likely to be similar to visiting your regular dentist, though the people you interact with will be different. Most often, the visit will focus on a problem tooth or an area of pain or infection. If multiple areas of pathology are noted, multiple teeth will be assessed.  

When you arrive, you can expect to meet with a provider to discuss your dental history as well as your specific problem area. You should expect to share information about past surgeries, medications, allergies, and other important facets of your medical history.

You will generally undergo an endodontic pathology examination of any teeth that are of concern. Your endodontic team will take diagnostic images and a CBCT (three-dimensional scan) to accurately visualize the problem area.  

With the information your endodontist collects, you and your care team can create personalized treatment plans based on specific needs and goals.

In many cases, you may walk away with a confirmed diagnosis for a particular issue requiring care. In other circumstances, additional testing and waiting for results may be necessary. Regardless, your endodontist can discuss potential treatment options for given concerns, provide a rough timeline for the next steps, and create a plan to follow up if necessary.  

Most often, assessment and treatment can be accomplished at the same visit. We can make arrangements that work best for you, your candidacy, and your comfort.

Once a formal diagnosis has been made and a treatment plan has been created, you and your endodontist can discuss what to expect next. For example, treatment may start as soon as possible, certain medications may need to be changed for a given time span, and preferences for care can be discussed.

Additional Services Offered at Burien Endodontics

You get fantastic results when receiving endodontic care from a state-of-the-art, patient-conscious facility. At Burien Endodontics, we offer many services, tools, treatments, and procedures to our patients, including but not limited to the following:

  • Treatments for cracked teeth
  • Tooth-related traumatic injuries
  • Fotona Ultra Performance Lasers (SSP and SWEEPS)
  • CT/3D Imaging
  • Digital radiography
  • 100% digital patient records 
  • Retreatment
  • Root canal therapy
  • Emergency dental treatment
  • Pain relief

If you have any questions or concerns about the care we provide, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We at Burien Endodontics are happy to give helpful answers, use personalized guidance and suggestions for our patients, and prioritize the well-being and comfort of each individual we serve. We can discuss your concerns and any potential issues in greater detail during a consultation or initial visit.

Receive Outstanding Endodontic Care: Schedule Your Consultation Today With Burien Endodontics

Are you experiencing dental pain, or have you been referred for specialized endodontic care? At Burien Endodontics, we focus on diagnosing and treating issues related to the pulp and soft tissues within your teeth. Our dedicated team offers a range of endodontic procedures, including root canals, treatments for dental injuries, and more. 

We can work closely with your regular dentist to ensure comprehensive care that enhances your overall dental health. Ready to schedule an appointment? Call us today at (253) 364-5060 or fill out our contact form. Your comfort and dental health are our top priorities.