Technology

Technology Video

Here at the Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio we take great pride in providing each patient with the best possible care. To accomplish this we use the latest advancements in modern endodontic technologies. One of the reasons your dentist referred you to us is because of our specialized equipment. Some of the technologies we utilize in our practice include digital radiography, limited field 3D imaging, surgical operating microscopes , and electronic apex locators. Digital x-rays enable us to capture images and instantly review them on a big screen. No more holding a small film up to the light and squinting. It allows us to vary the contrast and magnify the image on a computer screen to help with your diagnosis and treatment. Digital images can be shared electronically with referring doctors and insurance companies to simply and improve the efficiency of your care.  Furthermore digital x-rays expose patients to significantly less radiation than conventional x-ray films. As useful as individual digital x-rays are, they provide only a two dimensional static view of the jaws and teeth. We also utilize 3D digital imaging, also called focus field 3D imaging or a 3D scan.  3D imaging allows us to examine your tooth from any angle, and essentially to look completely through the tooth.  The benefits to our patients are immense. Many times complex issues become simple, because we have more information before we start a procedure and treatment problems can be avoided. This improves the  efficiency of treatment and the predictability of the outcome. Another significant advantage of 3D imaging is limited radiation. A focus field 3D scan uses approximately the same radiation as 4 small conventional dental x-ray films. This is 50 times less than a medical CT scan of the head and 250 times less than a medical CT scan of the abdomen.  Plus 3D imaging allows us to take fewer traditional x-rays.  Root Canal Treatment is essentially micro surgery and to perform this at a high level, there is no substitute for a magnified, brightly illuminated operating field. This is provided through chair side use of a surgical operating microscope.  By magnifying and illuminating the inside of a tooth, we can locate small calcified root canals, visualize minute cracks in teeth and greatly enhance the success of treatment.  Finally accurately measuring the length of each root is crucial to successful root canal treatment.  We use the most accurate of computer based electronic apex locators to aid us in this task. Not only does this reduce the time our patients must spend in treatment, it also enables us to minimize these x-rays. As you can see we take great pride in using the latest and greatest in modern endodontic technology. By doing so we are able to provide you with effective and efficient care, reduce your exposure to radiation and enhance the success of your treatment. We hope this helps you understand more about our practice and the care you will receive here.  We look forward to serving you soon. Thank you.


We strive for clinical, administrative, and technological excellence in every facet of our practice. It comes from years of experience in the profession and through the use of the latest advances in endodontic technology. We take great pride in being a state-of-the-art endodontic practice.

Our office offers a progressive, proactive approach to resolving your dental problems. This website allows your doctor to send us referral information about you as well as digital x-rays.  It allows you to fill out the medical history and other forms ahead of time. All this information is encrypted and automatically entered into your electronic chart. We are, essentially, a “paperless office.” Each treatment room is equipped with the latest technology including operating microscopes. We utilize digital radiography rather than traditional x-ray films, so you are exposed to 80-90% less radiation during radiography procedures. We monitor all the latest information in our field and utilize the latest technology in the diagnosis and treatment of your root canal problems.

Digital Radiography

Digital Radiography

Digital imaging enables us to capture images and instantly view them. We can vary the contrast and magnify the image for greater detail. Digital images can be shared electronically with referring doctors as well as insurance providers to simplify and improve the efficiency of your care. Furthermore, digital radiographs expose patients to significantly less radiation than conventional x-ray films.

Limited Field 3D Imaging

Limited Field 3D Imaging

Dental 3D imaging allows us to view the teeth in all dimensions. We can enlarge the images, change their contrast, examine them from any angle and essentially “look completely through the tooth”. There are many benefits to our patients. Oftentimes, difficult situations can be made much less complex and problems can be avoided. This increases the efficiency and predictability of treatment and improves chances for a successful outcome. We use “focused field” 3D imaging which exposes patients to only a fraction of the radiation from a medical CT.

Surgical Operating Microscopes

Surgical Operating Microscopes

When performing microsurgery, there is no substitute for a magnified, brightly illuminated operating field. This is provided through chair-side use of a surgical operating microscope. By intensely magnifying the affected area, we can locate minute calcified root canals and small cracks, greatly enhancing the success of the treatment.

Electronic Apex Locators

Electronic Apex Locators

Locating the root end, where the root canal space meets the external portion of the tooth, is crucial to successful root canal treatment.  We use the most accurate of Computer-based Electronic Apex Locators on the market to aid us in accurately measuring the length of the root canals. Not only does this reduce the time our patients must spend in treatment, it also enables us to minimize the use of x-rays, saving their use for situations when only an x-ray will do.

Gentlewave

Gentlewave

At Endodontic Consultants we pride ourselves on incorporating the latest technologies.  The most recent addition is called Gentlewave.  It is used to clean and disinfect the tooth more thoroughly than can be accomplished by traditional methods.  It allows our doctors to complete many of the root canal procedures in a single visit.