Our primary goal is to save your natural teeth whenever possible.
We educate our patients about causes, treatment alternatives and prevention of endodontic disease based on the latest available scientific evidence. We strongly believe that an informed patient who understands why treatment may be needed and what the alternative treatment options are, has the best chance of achieving the optimal outcome.
Dr. Tselnik stays abreast of the latest developments in endodontics through attending numerous continuing education courses, studying multiple current professional periodicals and reviewing scientific submissions for publication in the Journal of Endodontics. Dr. Tselnik is also an Assistant Professor of Endodontics at the Oregon Health and Sciences University School of Dentistry, where he shares his expertise with both dental students and endodontic residents.
Root Canal Therapy
An endodontist uses specialized and advanced technology to treat tooth pain and perform root canal treatment. Root canals are most often necessary when decay has reached the nerve of the tooth or the tooth has become infected. People have anywhere from one to four canals in a tooth. Extra canals may branch out and are called “accessory canals.” The number of canals and anatomy of a tooth can vary.
When a tooth is infected or at risk of infection, root canal therapy can often save the tooth. The procedure involves removing the dental pulp and replacing it with a filler material that preserves the tooth and prevents infection. Root canal therapy can be done proactively to prevent infection or retroactively to treat a tooth infection.