North Texas Dentistry Volume 8 Issue 2 2018 ISSUE 2 DE | Page 7

attributes this to the fact that it was often difficult in the past to
adequately anesthetize the treatment area. However, anesthe-
sia methods have improved and Dr. Alsmadi’s extensive study-
ing and teaching in universities has equipped him to provide
highly successful anesthesia and comfortable, often pain-free
root canal treatment.
Dr. Alsmadi attributes his success in making patients comfort-
able throughout treatment to his up-to-date knowledge and
experience with improved techniques and medication combi-
nations. “With the latest information about pain control, it’s
possible to reliably achieve a good level of anesthesia so patients
do not experience discomfort during the procedure.”
Another factor in Dr. Alsmadi’s ability to provide almost pain-
free endodontic treatment with a predictable outcome is highly
sophisticated diagnostic technology. Endodontists have always
been challenged by the fact that tooth morphology is complex
and highly variable from one patient to the next. The canals of
the tooth are not simple round vertical tubes as once thought,
but are more like the branching roots of a tree, with asymme-
tries and irregularities that make it impossible to reliably pre-
dict their anatomy. The tiniest orifices of the canal system are
not visible without a powerful endodontic microscope and miss-
ing any affected part of the canal system means leaving bacteria
behind that can cause treatment to fail.
Digital radiography and Cone Beam Computed Tomography
(CBCT) enable Dr. Alsmadi to visualize the intricate details of
the tooth anatomy in three dimensions with minimal radiation
exposure. High-resolution 3D imaging of the hidden morpholo-
gies of the canal system enables more accurate diagnosis and
reduces guesswork, ultimately resulting in less time in the chair.
“Because we were previously unable to make predictions about
the anatomy and extent of the infection prior to treatment, RCT
used to take a very long time and sometimes could only be
accomplished in multiple visits. The new diagnostic imaging
technologies allow us to see what exactly we are dealing with
before treatment begins so we are more likely to achieve com-
plete debridement and obturation of the affected areas in a
shorter time. We can more easily identify the affected areas
based on the pre-procedure imaging and plan our approach.
Consequently, the patient’s mouth is open for a shorter time
and their post-procedure discomfort is lessened. Most proce-
dures are completed in a single 60- to 90-minute visit.
Dr. Alsmadi follows every precaution to minimize patient expo-
sure to radiation when obtaining the necessary diagnostic
images needed for treatment planning, always adhering to the
ALARA Princi ple — “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”. The
CS 8100 3D features Flash Scan mode to minimize the radiation
dose for follow up exams and pediatrics or smaller patients. An
option for all 3D programs, the Flash Scan setting completes a
scan in just seven seconds and reduces the dose of radiation by
at least 50 percent over the standard acquisition.
Dr. Alsmadi and his team offers instructional classes and group
studies to help general dentists learn how to increase their com-
Making patients feel welcome and at ease is a
priority for Dr. Alsmadi's team.
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