The Roots of Endodontic Therapy

Endodontic therapy is simply second to none when it comes to relieving tooth pain, especially in the hands of our experienced specialist at Westside Endodontic Associates. Our staff has the advanced training, technology and techniques to keep our patients comfortable while preserving an irreplaceable natural tooth. We believe that no artificial replacement option can function as well as the original equipment! 

In the interest of giving our patients a window into what we do, here are some interesting facts about endodontics:

• The name for our specialty comes from the Greek prefix “endo” meaning “within” and “odont” meaning “with teeth.” 

• The first discovery of a rudimentary treatment within a tooth goes all the way back to 200 BC in a human skull with a tooth containing bronze wire that is believed to have been used as a treatment for an infection.

• In his 1729 book, The Surgeon Dentist, Pierre Fauchard – the so-called “father of modern dentistry” – contained descriptions of root canals and the practice of opening teeth to relieve abscesses relieving tooth pain.

• The first root canal therapy tool was invented by American Edwin Maynard in 1838. In 1847, a plastic material was first used to fill root canals, a method still practiced today. 

• In 1900, X-ray machines made detecting root canal infections easier. 

• Modern practices using state-of-the-art materials and enhanced anesthetics have allowed root canal therapy to be simple, safe and effective. According to the American Association of Endodontists, 25 million root canals are performed each year.

If the prospect of receiving root canal therapy makes you uneasy, let our endodontist at Westside Endodontic Associates put your mind at ease. This therapy is accomplished more quickly and comfortably than in years past. Don’t let misinformation based on yesterday’s outdated myths keep you from asking us about today’s treatments! If you are experiencing tooth pain, we can help. Please contact our office today!