An endodontist is a dentist who completed two to three additional years of residency training focused exclusively on diagnosing and treating diseases of the dental pulp and root. While general dentists perform some root canals, endodontists typically handle the most complex cases and perform root canal procedures every day, giving them significantly higher case volume and specialized skill.

Modern root canal treatment is performed under local anesthesia, and most patients compare the sensation to getting a filling placed. At our Beaverton office, IV sedation is also available for patients with dental anxiety. The procedure actually relieves the severe pain caused by an infected or inflamed pulp — most patients feel dramatically better within 24 hours.

CBCT produces a three-dimensional image of your tooth and surrounding bone with sub-millimeter resolution. This allows Dr. Ostovar to identify hidden canals, measure canal curvature, assess periapical lesions, and detect root fractures before treatment begins. Two-dimensional X-rays can miss up to 30 percent of canal anatomy that CBCT reveals clearly.

Complex anatomy — extra canals, severely curved roots, calcified canals, retreatment cases — benefits from the advanced training, specialized instruments, and microscope magnification that an endodontist provides. Your general dentist may refer you when the case complexity exceeds what can be managed predictably in a general practice setting.

We provide the full scope of endodontic care: initial root canal therapy on anterior teeth, premolars, and molars; root canal retreatment; apicoectomy (root-end surgery); pulpotomy and pulpectomy; internal and external resorption treatment; cracked tooth diagnosis and treatment; dental trauma management; regenerative endodontic procedures; and emergency root canals. CBCT imaging and pulp vitality testing are performed on-site.

Most anterior and premolar root canals are completed in a single visit of 45 to 60 minutes. Molar root canals typically require 60 to 90 minutes due to the greater number of canals. Complex retreatment cases or teeth with unusual anatomy may require two visits to ensure thorough disinfection before final obturation.

Yes. We offer IV sedation for patients who experience dental anxiety, have a strong gag reflex, or need extensive treatment completed in one session. IV sedation is administered by a trained provider who monitors your vital signs throughout the procedure. You will need a driver to bring you home afterward.

An infected pulp does not heal on its own. Without treatment, the infection spreads through the root apex into the surrounding bone, forming an abscess that can cause facial swelling, fever, and systemic infection. Eventually the tooth becomes non-restorable and requires extraction, which leads to bone loss and the need for an implant or bridge.

Root canal fees depend on the tooth location and complexity. Anterior root canals are the least expensive, and molars cost more because they have three to four canals. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer financing options. During your consultation, we provide a detailed cost breakdown before any treatment begins.

Yes. Root canal retreatment involves removing the existing filling material, re-cleaning and reshaping the canals, and placing new obturation material. Retreatment is typically needed when the original seal failed, new decay compromised the restoration, or a canal was missed during the first procedure. Our CBCT imaging is especially valuable for identifying why the original treatment failed.

An apicoectomy is a minor surgical procedure where the endodontist removes the last few millimeters of the root tip and any surrounding infected tissue, then seals the root end with a biocompatible material like MTA. It is recommended when a persistent infection around the root apex does not resolve with conventional retreatment, or when the tooth has a post and crown that would be damaged by retreatment.

Absolutely. We reserve same-day appointments for dental emergencies including avulsed (knocked-out) teeth, luxation injuries, root fractures, and acute pulpitis or abscesses. Time-sensitive trauma cases — particularly avulsed permanent teeth — have dramatically better outcomes when treated within 30 to 60 minutes, so we prioritize these calls.

Our office at 18455 SW Alexander Street in Beaverton sees patients from Beaverton, Hillsboro, Aloha, Portland, Tigard, Tualatin, Lake Oswego, and throughout Washington County. We accept referrals from general dentists across the Portland metropolitan area and also welcome patients seeking a second opinion.

Common signs include lingering pain after hot or cold exposure, spontaneous throbbing pain, pain when biting, swelling of the gums near a specific tooth, darkening of a tooth, and a persistent pimple-like bump on the gum tissue. However, some infected teeth produce no symptoms at all — which is why diagnostic imaging and vitality testing are essential.

A dental operating microscope provides magnification up to 25 times and coaxial illumination directly into the root canal system. This allows the endodontist to locate hidden canal orifices, identify micro-fractures, distinguish calcified canal pathways, and verify complete debridement before sealing. Studies consistently show that microscope use improves detection of additional canals and reduces procedural errors.