How can we help you?
It's common to have questions about root canals and other endodontic procedures. We have answered many of the most common below, but please don't hesitate to call us if you have a question or concern not listed here.
General
It’s common to feel apprehensive about endodontic treatment, so you want to trust your care to professionals who are empathetic to your needs and concerns. You will find that and so much more at Curtis Endodontics in Camp Hill, PA.
We Care about Your Comfort
Our caring team members are genuinely warm and friendly and are pros at putting nervous patients at ease. Their goal is to ensure that you have a comfortable, stress-free experience.
Dedicated Specialists
Dr. Darrell Curtis and Dr. Shane Curtis are specialists in endodontic treatment. To attain this specialty status, a dentist must participate in 2-3 years of advanced study and training after dental school.
After dental school, Dr. Darrell completed an endodontic residency program at the United States Air Force Postgraduate Dental School. He subsequently completed his board certification in endodontics and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. Dr. Shane completed an endodontic residency program at Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he earned his specialty certification. He is board eligible and pursuing certification.
Despite their advanced skill and training, you will find they are both personable, relatable, and have great concern and empathy for your needs.
Individualized Treatment Plans
Your unique dental situation deserves individualized solutions. Our specialists carefully evaluate your needs, then make a personalized recommendation and help you understand what’s involved with your treatment.
Leading-Edge Dental Technology
Endodontic treatment can be complex and require specialized technology to provide optimal outcomes. From surgical microscopes and 3-D cone beam imaging to rotary endodontics, we provide the highest standard of efficient, precise treatment with leading-edge technology.
Discover the Difference at Curtis Endodontics
If you need root canal treatment in Camp Hill, you can trust the team at Curtis Endodontics to make it a stress-free, comfortable experience. Please call us at (717) 550-4040 to learn more.
Endodontic Microsurgery (Apicoectomy)
We use leading-edge 3-D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) at Curtis Endodontics for highly precise diagnoses and treatment planning. This technology uses the same principles as medical CT scans but allows us to see a specific tooth in three dimensions.
3-D Cone Beam Scans for Treatment Planning
Drs. Darrell and Shane Curtis use 3-D CBCT scans when the detail of a 2-D x-ray doesn’t provide the information needed to diagnose a condition and plan precise treatment. A cone beam scan reveals a 3-D image of your teeth, bone, soft tissues, and nerve pathways.
Our specialists can also determine each tooth's height, width, and depth and view missed canals, traumatic fractures, and resorption lesions. This level of detail helps them plan and complete treatment to preserve as much tooth structure as possible.
We'll Explain Our Findings to You
Even with this explanation, it may be challenging to visualize what our specialists see with a cone beam scan. That is why Drs. Darrell and Shane Curtis will share the images with you to explain their findings and allow you to see why they recommend treatment.
To learn more about this amazing technology or schedule an appointment, please call our Camp Hill, PA, specialty dental office so we can help you.
Root Canal Retreatment
Root canal treatment recovery typically takes 2–4 days. Patients commonly experience some soreness, and following our after-care instructions will help you have a speedy recovery and feel great in no time!
What to Expect after Root Canal Treatment
For an event-free recovery after root canal treatment, follow the recommendations below.
- After your procedure, it's common for the treatment area to remain numb for several hours. We recommend not eating until it wears off to avoid accidentally biting your cheek or tongue.
- If your endodontist gives you a prescription for antibiotics, have it filled promptly and take the medication as directed.
- Some sensitivity or soreness is common during the first few days after your root canal. Taking OTC pain medications is usually all that is needed to control discomfort. Complications are rare but call us right away if the pain becomes unmanageable.
- Stir a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and rinse, swish, and spit to reduce pain and swelling. Continue to brush and floss as usual.
- Avoid smoking, drinking hot beverages or alcohol, and eating hard or sticky foods. Also, take care not to chew or bite down on the tooth until your dentist places the final crown or filling.
Your general dentist will schedule an appointment with you about two weeks after your procedure. They will then determine whether the tooth needs a final crown or filling to protect it.
If you have questions about your post-treatment recovery, please don’t hesitate to call Curtis Endodontics in Camp Hill, PA.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain; it relieves it! People commonly associate the procedure with discomfort, but the pain is actually due to the infection inside the tooth, not the procedure itself.
At Curtis Endodontics, we’ve heard all the root canal myths, and that’s all they are. Modern root canal treatment is straightforward and comfortable, thanks to many advancements in dentistry.
Pain-Free Root Canal Treatment
There are several ways we make root canal treatment at our Camp Hill, PA, dental office comfortable and efficient.
Precise Treatment Planning
Using diagnostic technology like digital x-rays and 3-D cone beam CT scans, our endodontists can pinpoint the location of the problem to provide efficient treatment with no surprises.
Local Anesthetics for Pain-Free Treatment
We use powerful local anesthetics to ensure you won’t feel anything during your procedure. Once the tooth is numb, it will remain that way for several hours so that you can be assured of pain-free treatment.
Leading-Edge Technology
In the past, we relied on manual instruments to remove infected pulp; today, technology makes the process much more efficient and comfortable and delivers optimal long-term outcomes.
TLC from Our Dental Team
All the technology in the world can’t replace our caring and compassionate dental team. We want you to have the best possible experience, and you can feel comfortable knowing we are looking out for you. If there’s anything you need, please ask!
Call Curtis Endodontics in Camp Hill, PA
Our specialty practice offers a full spectrum of endodontic services, including root canal treatment. Please call us if you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment with a specialist.
Root canal treatment is needed when bacteria cause an infection or inflammation of the dental pulp deep inside a tooth. Root canal treatment is the only way to remove the infected tissue and relieve the pain that often accompanies the infection.
The Root Canal Myth
Despite everything you’ve probably heard, performing a root canal is a straightforward, pain-free process. The idea that it’s painful is a myth because the procedure relieves any pain you’re experiencing due to the infection.
What to Expect with Root Canal Treatment
Dr. Darrell Curtis and Dr. Shane Curtis are endodontists who perform comfortable, pain-free root canal treatment in five basic steps:
- Numb the tooth so you won’t feel any pain.
- Access and remove the infected pulp using modern technology.
- Cleanse and disinfect the area inside the tooth.
- Fill the area with a biocompatible material to help prevent reinfection.
- Seal the tooth and place a temporary filling to protect it as it heals.
Some soreness for a day or two after root canal treatment is common but easily controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers.
About two weeks after your procedure, you'll see your general dentist, and they will place a final filling or crown on the tooth to protect it. The result is a tooth that might have been extracted will now provide many more years of use.
Do You Need Root Canal Treatment?
You might have a root canal infection if you experience an intense toothache, extreme tooth sensitivity, or swollen gums. Please feel free to call Curtis Endodontics in Camp Hill, PA, so we can determine the best way to help you.
Endodontics is a dental specialty that treats problems with the living tissue inside a tooth called dental pulp. Specializing in endodontics is a commitment that requires 2–3 additional years of advanced training after dental school.
What Does an Endodontist Do?
General dentists can perform root canals, but an endodontist exclusively performs them along with other procedures, including:
- Root canal retreatment
- Endodontic microsurgery (apicoectomy)
- Dental trauma management
- Resorption treatment
Endodontic Treatment Saves Teeth
An endodontist’s role is to provide services to save teeth that would otherwise require extraction. It’s crucial to preserve as many of your teeth for as long as possible, and it’s not just about aesthetics.
Tooth loss makes it difficult to chew comfortably and speak clearly. It also affects your self-confidence when you feel embarrassed by the gaps in your smile.
There are also oral health implications, as tooth loss allows other teeth to become mobile, leading to issues like misaligned teeth, bite problems, and TMJ disorder.
Schedule with an Endodontist in Camp Hill, PA
Many of our patients come to us through referrals after their general dentist diagnoses them with a condition that only an endodontist can treat. However, if you are experiencing severe tooth pain or have had root canal treatment on a tooth that still hurts, we can help you.
Please call Curtis Endodontics at (717) 550-4040 for more information about what we offer.