About Dr. Patrick DeMarco, DMD

practicing endodontics in erie for over 20 years

Dr. Patrick DeMarco was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Cathedral Prep and then studied at Penn State University where he graduated in 1988 with a B.S in Biology. He was then employed in private industry working in the field of microbiology. While continuing to work, he completed a Master’s degree program from Gannon University in Erie. Dr. DeMarco wanted to pursue a career dedicated toward patient care so he decided on the field of Dentistry. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1994. He furthered his education and obtained a Certificate in General Dentistry from Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. Ultimately deciding to focus on the field of Endodontics, he completed his specialty training from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1997.

After completing his Endodontic residency program, Dr. DeMarco moved back to Erie with his wife Donna. They started his Endodontic practice, which is dedicated to patient comfort and quality care in the Erie area. He is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, American Dental Association, Pennsylvania Dental Association, and Erie County Dental Association. He also teaches part time at the LECOM Erie Dental Office.

When he is not in the office, Dr. DeMarco enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children as well as coaching and teaching tennis.

Dental Services

Your dentist may refer you to an endodontist - an expert at saving teeth with two or more years of specialized training above and beyond dental school. Endodontists diagnose tooth pain and perform procedures relating to the inside of your teeth.

Modern endodontic treatment is nothing like those old sayings! It’s very similar to a routine filling and can usually be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances.

Root Canals

Root canal treatment is an often straightforward procedure to relieve dental pain and save your teeth. Patients typically need a root canal when there is inflammation or infection in the roots of a tooth. During root canal treatment, an endodontist who specializes in such treatment carefully removes the pulp inside the tooth, cleans, disinfects and shapes the root canals, and places a filling to seal the space.

There’s no need to be worried if your dentist or endodontist prescribes a root canal procedure to treat a damaged or diseased tooth. Millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year, relieving pain and making teeth healthy again.

Getting a root canal is relatively painless and extremely effective. You’ll be back to smiling, biting and chewing with ease in no time. If you need a root canal, see an endodontist, the specialist in saving teeth.

Root Canal Retreatment

During retreatment, the endodontist will reopen your tooth and remove the filling materials that were placed in the root canals during the first procedure. The endodontist then carefully examines the tooth, looking for additional canals or new infection. The endodontist then removes any infection, cleans and shapes the canals, and places new filling materials. The opening is then sealed with a temporary filling. Once the tooth heals, a new crown or other restoration is placed on the tooth to protect it.

With proper care, you’ll keep teeth that have had root canal treatment for a lifetime but it’s possible for those teeth to heal improperly, becoming painful or diseased months or even years after treatment. If this happens to your treated teeth you have a second chance to save the tooth with retreatment. An additional procedure may be able to diminish dental pain or discomfort and promote healing. If you suspect a tooth that had a prior root canal requires retreatment, visit your dentist or endodontist for evaluation.

Endodontic Surgery

Endodontic surgery can be used to locate small fractures or hidden canals previously undetected on X-rays during the initial treatment. Surgery may also be needed to remove calcium deposits in root canals, or to treat damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone of the tooth.

There’s no need to worry about surgery if your endodontist prescribes this additional measure. Advanced technologies like digital imaging and operating microscopes allow these procedures to be performed quickly, comfortably and successfully. There are many surgical procedures that can be performed to save a tooth. The most common is called an apicoectomy, or root-end resection, which may be needed when inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after a root canal procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is it time to see an endodontist?

No one enjoys having work done on their teeth and some even delay their bi-annual cleanings out of fear or reluctance to visit the dentist. But when it comes to real tooth pain, it’s important to take care of it as soon as possible. You’ll feel better and likely save your tooth.

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, have injured your tooth, it’s sensitive to hot or cold, and/or there is swelling around the teeth, gums or your face, make an appointment with an endodontist or pay a visit to your dentist, first.

Your dentist may refer you to an endodontist — an expert at saving teeth with two or more years of specialized training above and beyond dental school. Endodontists diagnose tooth pain and perform procedures relating to the inside of your teeth.

Why are endodontists called specialists?

While all endodontists are dentists, less than three percent of dentists are endodontists. Just like a doctor in any other field, endodontists are specialists because they’ve completed an additional two or more years of training beyond dental school. Their additional training focuses on diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal treatment and other procedures relating to the interior of the tooth. In many cases, a diseased tooth can be saved with endodontic treatment. For this reason, endodontists proudly refer to themselves as Specialists in Saving Teeth.

What procedures does an endodontist handle?

You may or may not be aware that endodontists perform root canal treatments, and they handle many other endodontic treatments and surgeries, address traumatic dental injuries, and place dental implants. The goal is to save your natural teeth whenever possible, however, an endodontist will look at all treatment options to determine the best course of action for your individual case.

An endodontist limits his or her practice solely to endodontic treatments, performing an average of 25 root canal treatments a week whereas a general dentist may only do two a week. Specialized treatment will give you the best outcome and you’ll heal faster. For this reason, dentists and endodontists often work as partners in care so that the best member of your dental team is handling each appropriate issue with your teeth.

Dr. Patrick DeMarco

About Dr. Patrick DeMarco, DMD

practicing endodontics in erie for over 20 years

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Dental Services

Root Canals

Root Canal Retreatment

Endodontic Surgery

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814-455-6991

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is it time to see an endodontist?

Why are endodontists called specialists?

What procedures does an endodontist handle?

What’s the difference between a dentist and an endodontist?

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