• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Hopkinton Logo

Hopkinton Endodontics - Judy McIntyre, DMD, MS

Endodontics Hopkinton MA

  • Meet Dr. McIntyre
  • Office Tour
  • Reviews
508-686-7668
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Dr. McIntyre
    • Meet the Team
    • Office Tour
    • COVID-19 Updates
  • Procedures
    • Root Canal Therapy
    • Endodontic Retreatment
    • Endodontic Surgery
    • Cracked Teeth
    • Traumatic Dental Injuries
    • For the Anxious Patients
  • Patient Information
    • New Patient Forms
    • Why Choose an “Endodontist”?
    • Fees & Financial Policy
    • Dental Insurance
    • Instructions
      • First Visit
      • Before Endodontic Treatment
      • During Treatment
      • After Completion of Endodontic Treatment
      • Home Care Instructions
    • About Your Tooth
    • Technology
  • FAQ
  • Referring Doctors
    • Refer Your Patient
    • Colleagues for Excellence Newsletter
    • Endodontic Case Assessment
    • Treatment Planning Options
    • Regenerative Procedures
    • Links of Interest
  • Blog
  • Contact

Root Canal Therapy

What is a root canal?

A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple dental procedure can save your tooth and prevent the need for extractions, dental implants or bridges.

what-is-a-root-canal

At the center of your tooth is pulp – aka “the nerve.”  The pulp is a collection of blood vessels and nerve fibers that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures/fillings. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums.  And, in rare cases, there might be no discomfort or symptoms, but the infection can be found on a dental X-ray.

If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned, shaped and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment; then, we can present other treatment options. In most cases, you will be able to drive home after your treatment, and you probably will find yourself able to return immediately to your normal routine.

Healed-Tooth-Following-Root-Canal

What happens after treatment?

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your restorative dentist. You should contact their office for a follow-up restoration within a few weeks of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, however, we are available at all times to respond. To prevent further decay, continue to practice good dental hygiene.

How much will it cost?

The cost associated with this procedure can vary depending on factors such as the severity of damage to the affected tooth and which tooth is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth.

Footer

Hopkinton Endodontics

Judy McIntyre, DMD, MS
225 Wood Street #1
Hopkinton, MA 01748
508-686-7668

Hours

  • M: 8am — 4pm
  • Tu: 8am — 5pm
  • W: by appointment
  • Th: 8am — 5pm
  • F: 8am — 3pm
  • Sat: by appointment
  • Sun: closed

Instagram

drjudyendo

What's this??? 🙋‍♀️ Extra oral #bitewings What's this???
🙋‍♀️
Extra oral #bitewings
🙌
Most people don’t think of ExtraOral #bitewings as something that would be helpful in an #endodontic practice. 
Some patients however, such as gaggers,
young and/or autistic patients and others do not tolerate intraoral radiographs or have limitations or disabilities that make taking intraoral films, especially posterior periapicals, challenging or impossible.
This can lead to a result that is not diagnostic and/or does not capture essential information.
☢️
Extraoral bitewings, aka "E/O BWs", can be a great alternative.
🥳
“Extraoral bitewings” is a bit of a misnomer. 
Unlike a traditional bitewing, these images capture the apices of the teeth as well making them
a great option for patients that can’t tolerate posterior PAs. These E/O BWs were a perfect alternative for this 9 yo pediatric patient.

The film taken by the RD did not capture the apices and captured a lot of black space instead.

I had taken a #cbct prior to treatment and wanted to capture a post-op film of the #vitalpulptherapy treatment that was rendered

These images can be captured without having to put anything in the patient's mouth!

This is a valuable and underestimated tool to capture an image when cooperation would prevent/limit the diagnostic potential - for example in an attempted
#periapical film
Hopeful for the follow up in 6m
🤞🤗
Goal: although this pt was in pain, I was able to control the heme within after pulpal amputation 
In 6m, I hope to see continued root development/closure
This postoperative convo with pt/ family is extensive and includes to come back if symptoms develop before then!!
🙏
#alwayslearning
#thinkoutstidethebox
#pediatricdentistry
#oralradiology
#dentalradiology
#3dimaging
@dexisimaging
@ryanz3d
Decay!  ... and, a lot of it!   And, if you no Decay!  ... and, a lot of it!  
And, if you notice, on the preop there's also decay on the LR6 as well. 

Thankfully, this astute RD excavated all of the decay BEFORE referring.  
🥳
While it's not necessary, often decay removal is very much appreciated 🤗 from us endodontists because [I feel that] the restoring #dentists have a better assessment of what exactly one is comfortable saving, rather than either ping-ponging the pt and/or sending for another consult (perio for CL, for ex), etc.  

The GD and pt decided that LR7 was not restorable.  This pt also is missing the UR7 also so there is no opposing tooth.  And, yes, there is a ridiculous radix and curve on it as well - nice eye @grissomendo !

#cbct confirmed 3 canals and no PA pathology

Dx: SIP/SAP LR6 and completed in 2 visit
🥳 Great weekend again with the #mastertrack #de 🥳
Great weekend again with the #mastertrack #dentistry group
📚
This group welcomed their assignment graciously
Homework 1: to meet with their local #endodontist and discuss how to work better together and how to serve #patients better
🙌
Homework 2: review #dentaltrauma and #dentaler protocols with their #dentalteam to improve flow when emergency situations arise
🙌
Homework 3: present a #cbct case featuring something the practitioner has learned or managed differently 
🙌
Thrilled to share these great slides of wonderful meetings and great learning points 

#protips
#alwayslearning 
#3dimaging
#dentalce
#superdentists 
#saveteeth
Load More... Follow on Instagram

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as medical advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, a doctor-patient relationship.

Copyright © 2022 Hopkinton Endodontics. All rights reserved. HIPAA Notice Return to top