GentleWave Technology vs. Traditional Root Canal

The root canal is a common dental procedure used to save an infected or at-risk tooth. Your dentist may recommend a root canal if you have a toothache, a deep cavity, or a cracked tooth. The root canal procedure has been performed the same way for many years with a high rate of success. 

But new technology has been developed to improve results and make the procedure more comfortable. Gentlewave is revolutionizing root canal therapy, offering a variety of benefits over the traditional root canal procedure. Learn more about the latest tooth-saving method and where you can experience it for yourself. 

What is a Root Canal? 

The root canal is the name for the inner chamber of a tooth that begins at the base of the crown and extends the length of the root. The dental pulp is the soft tissue contained within the root canal that is made up of blood vessels and nerves that are the life support of the tooth. 

Root canal therapy involves removal of the dental pulp, the soft tissue at the center of each tooth. This may be done to treat or prevent infection. The pulp is highly susceptible to infection if bacteria invades the root canal through a deep cavity or a crack in a tooth. 

Once the dental pulp is removed and the root canal is thoroughly cleaned out, the tooth will be filled with a spongy replacement material that is resistant to infection. A dental crown is typically placed over the tooth to complete the procedure. 

The GentleWave Difference

GentleWave is a new method for root canal therapy. Using acoustic energy to propel fluids through the root canal, the dental pulp and bacteria are flushed out, leaving a clean and empty root canal that is devoid of infection and infectable tissue. 

Benefits of GentleWave Technology 

• More comfortable. By flushing out the root canals with fluid rather than scraping, the procedure is much more gentle for increased comfort. 
• Highly effective. Gentlewave technology is extremely thorough, removing all of the dental pulp from the root canal. 
• Faster recovery. Patients experience shorter recovery times due to the gentle nature of the procedure. 
• Lower risk of reinfection. Patients who undergo the GentleWave method of root canal therapy have a lower risk of reinfection that would result in the need for retreatment. 
• Preserves more tooth material. The GentleWave method leaves more of the tooth material intact than a traditional root canal, allowing teeth to be saved that might otherwise be lost. 

Who Provides GentleWave? 

GentleWave technology is most often provided by endodontists, dental specialists who are specially trained in root canals and other procedures that treat the dental pulp. If you need a root canal and you’re interested in trying GentleWave, Forest Lake Endodontics offers this option as well as traditional root canal therapy. 

Frequently Asked Questions About GentleWave Root Canals 

Is GentleWave covered by insurance? 

The GentleWave procedure may not be covered by your insurance plan. The technology is so new that insurance companies may not have made a decision on coverage. Contact your insurance provider for more information. 

Do you need a crown after a GentleWave procedure? 

The tooth will most likely still need a crown following a root canal performed using the GentleWave procedure. This is to protect the tooth structure and the root, preventing reinfection. 

At Forest Lake Endodontics we provide tooth-saving procedures using the latest technology to improve patient comfort and positive treatment outcomes. Call 651-464-9888 or contact us today to learn more about GentleWave technology and schedule a consultation.