Dr. Otis T. Chong, DMD, MMSc

Dr.Chong is an Endoontist (a dentist who specializes in root canal treatment). He obtained a Bachelors Degree in Biology from University of California, San Diego, in 2000. Dr Chong then earned his DMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine. He obtained his specialty certificate in endodontics from Harvard University, School of Dental Medicine along with a Masters of Medical Science in Oral Biology from Harvard University. Dr Chong is proud to be able to deliver to his patients the “cutting edge” knowledge he acquired at Harvard, an institution well known world-wide for the advanced research performed in his field. Dr Chong has been a clinical instructor in Endodontics at Harvard University, and the University of Pennsylvania. He loves sharing his knowledge and expertise with other dentists and future dentists at world class teaching institutions. He currently holds an academic appoinment as a clinical instructor in endodontics at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Dr Chong is detail oriented and committed to excellence in his field. Dr. Chong has a wonderful chairside manner, always making sure the comfort of his patients his highest priority.

When the inside of your tooth is filled with diseased pulp and bacteria, root canal therapy is necessary. Although your dentist received training in endodontic treatment during dental school, you have been referred to a board certified endodontist, because we are specialist whose practice is limited to conventional or surgical root canal therapy. Our doctors have a lot of experience performing routine and complicated endodontic cases, more then most dentists. Your doctor wants the best endodontic treatment for you.

After you are seated in the chair, the doctor will examine your mouth, x-ray your tooth and decide if the pulp in your tooth is diseased and therefore needs a root canal. He will use digital radiography; an advanced computerized imaging system that produces radiation levels 80 % lower than conventional dental x-rays. You will be given a local anesthetic to numb your tooth and a “rubber dam” or protective sheet will be placed over your tooth to isolate it during the procedure.

A small window will be made in the top of your tooth and very small instruments will be used to clean the diseased pulp out of the pulp chamber and the root canals. This is necessary because your body cannot repair the diseased pulp material in the root canal space of the tooth by itself.

Finally, the doctor will put a root canal filling material into the cleaned canal and pulp space to seal it and prevent future abscesses from developing. He will place a temporary filling in the tooth to protect the work that has just been done. You will need to return to your dentist within the next few days following the root canal treatment to have the temporary filling replaced with a permanent filling. The permanent filling and crown will protect the work completed on the pulp, restore your tooth’s surface and protect the tooth from fracture. Most important, your tooth has been saved; it should last as long as your other teeth. And, if you are like most patients that have been treated in our office, you will be pleasantly surprised with how comfortable the procedure went.

Sometimes, after a tooth has had root canal therapy, disease remains in the bone surrounding the end of the root. This residual disease can be caused by cracks in the root tip, an inadequate seal, persistent bacteria and incomplete cleaning of the root canal space. It is our practice philosophy that when possible non-surgical retreatment is the first treatment option. When retreatment is not possible, root canal surgery is necessary to save the tooth. This procedure is called an apicoectomy.

You have been referred to our practice because our doctors are board certified Endodontist who has a lot of experience performing endodontic surgeries. All three of our doctors are able to perform the apicoectomy efficiently, while maintaining the highest level of infection control, quality and patient comfort.

In this procedure, the doctor will open the gum tissue near the tooth to expose the underlying bone and root of the affected tooth. He will remove the infected tissue at and around the end of the root, cut off the root tip and remove the end of the root and place a small filling in the end of the root to provide a seal.

While surgical root canal procedures use different instruments, the goal is the same as in the non-surgical root canal procedure - to make the tooth disease free and to preserve the natural tooth for years of future service. The microscope used in both procedures and during surgery is helpful in locating and eliminating cracks, unusual root anatomy and visualizing and obtaining a sufficient seal. Local anesthetics and modern techniques make this procedure comfortable for you the patient, and most patients return to their normal activities the next day. 

Surgical Microscopes

In our office, we use a specific microscope that provides enhanced visualization of the endodontic access or surgical area up to 25 times. This is  especially beneficial for accurate visualization of complex anatomy cases, for locating root fractures or defects, for root-end surgery, for removal of separated instruments, and for locating canals.