Dr. Karina Leiva, Endodontist

Dr. Karina Leiva, Endodontist Dental professional since 2009, proudly servicing our community in the specialty of Endodontics.

Tooth #14 presented with a periapical lesion on all three root apices and the patient was very symptomatic at the begin...
02/17/2026

Tooth #14 presented with a periapical lesion on all three root apices and the patient was very symptomatic at the beginning 😣 — pain, inflammation, and clear signs of infection around the roots.

We performed root canal therapy using the GentleWave® system 💧 — allowing for advanced cleaning and disinfection of the entire root canal system.

🗓 6-month follow-up:
✨ The periapical pathology has resolved
✨ Bone healing is evident
✨ The patient is now completely asymptomatic 😊

Proper diagnosis, advanced technology, and careful follow-up make all the difference.
The goal is not only to relieve pain — but to eliminate infection and promote true healing.

DentalCare 🦷

Just passing here to show you my dear referrals fellas, a case of a #19 that looks nice despite of the long roots. Gang...
02/11/2026

Just passing here to show you my dear referrals fellas, a case of a #19 that looks nice despite of the long roots. Gangle wave and BC sealer (Brasseler) used. ❤️🦷

Hi! Just passing to say hello and leave this interesting case here. Furca lesion caused by a crack on pulpal floor❓maybe...
01/27/2026

Hi! Just passing to say hello and leave this interesting case here. Furca lesion caused by a crack on pulpal floor❓maybe… periodontal related problems ❔Perhaps… but no! It was a secondary lateral canal coming from the necrotic pulp. Gentle Wave procedure done. Look how nice the Distal root delta is appreciated. 🎆

🦷 Pediatric Dental Trauma 👋 Happy new year people! Starting with good news and positive vibes! This 9-year-old patient...
01/14/2026

🦷 Pediatric Dental Trauma 👋 Happy new year people! Starting with good news and positive vibes!

This 9-year-old patient was referred to us by an orthodontist following dental trauma that occurred a few weeks prior to the initial visit. Clinical examination revealed progressive gray discoloration, and diagnostic findings confirmed pulpal necrosis. CBCT imaging showed early signs of external root resorption.

Treatment began with root canal therapy and placement of calcium hydroxide. At the second visit, apexification was completed using MTA BC putty. Internal walking bleaching was then performed over three visits to restore esthetics.

✨ The outcome was extremely satisfying, both functionally and cosmetically.
The patient is now on a 6-month follow-up protocol to monitor long-term stability.

RootCanalTherapy ClinicalExcellence

Happy holidays from our wonderful working family to yours! 🎁🎄🕎
12/14/2025

Happy holidays from our wonderful working family to yours! 🎁🎄🕎

When to send to the endodontist? When you don’t see a continuous canal to apex. It’s likely a deep split! It was 5 mm sh...
12/07/2025

When to send to the endodontist? When you don’t see a continuous canal to apex. It’s likely a deep split! It was 5 mm short from the working lenght. Sometimes a premolar represents a bigger challenge than a molar! This one made me sweat 😅. A fiber post placed. Swipe ➡️ to see the details ❤️🦷

Hi pals! 👋 This case may seem routine at first glance… but it was anything but routine. As we all know, we treat patient...
11/16/2025

Hi pals! 👋 This case may seem routine at first glance… but it was anything but routine. As we all know, we treat patients, not just teeth. Slide to see detailed pics ➡️

This patient came to our office in tears with severe pain on tooth #15. She was 25 weeks pregnant, struggling with TMJ issues, and had significant dental anxiety. When I first reviewed the CBCT and saw those long, complex roots, my first thought was: “Oh boy…”

After discussing all options in detail, we decided the safest and fastest way to relieve her pain was to perform an urgent pulpectomy. Thankfully, her discomfort resolved immediately.

Once she delivered her baby, we completed the root canal treatment using oral sedation and nitrous oxide to help manage her anxiety. The roots measured 23 mm, and I had to constantly “recheck and open” while working with the rotary files… but we made it through. All canals treated beautifully, including a tiny MB2.

A challenging case from start to finish — but incredibly rewarding to help a patient in such a vulnerable moment. ❤️ Endodontics perform with care and love.

Vertical root fracture… or not? 🤔 swipe ➡️ for detailed pictures.Tooth #14 presented with a classic “J-shaped” lesion o...
10/27/2025

Vertical root fracture… or not? 🤔 swipe ➡️ for detailed pictures.
Tooth #14 presented with a classic “J-shaped” lesion on the mesial root — but notice how the cervical cortical bone ring remained intact 👀

With motivated patients, I always consider exploration under the microscope before extraction. Once the restoration was fully removed, I found a crack on the preparation floor — but interestingly, no fracture in the pulpal floor or within any canal.

I treated this case in two visits 🦷
💧 GentleWave was performed on the first appointment (with drainage of pus), followed by intracanal medication.
When the patient returned, they were asymptomatic 🙌

Take a look at that MB2 canal — beautifully curved and completely independent from MB! It wasn’t even visible in the CBCT. Endodontics perform with ❤️

Do you need root canals with post and cores? Not a problem! My years of general dentistry gave me the ability to do endo...
10/25/2025

Do you need root canals with post and cores? Not a problem! My years of general dentistry gave me the ability to do endo-restorative cases! 👩🏻‍⚕️

This case involved deeply decayed upper premolars.
🦷 Step-by-step treatment:
1️⃣ Removal of extensive decay
2️⃣ Core build-up
3️⃣ Re-access and root canal therapy
4️⃣ GentleWave disinfection
5️⃣ Obturation
6️⃣ Post space preparation and fiber post cementation
7️⃣ Final core build-up

The patient was very pleased with the outcome and was able to return to his overseas job just a few days later — pain-free and smiling again.

✨ Another Apicoectomy Success Story!This case involved a maxillary central incisor ( #8) with a failing root canal treat...
09/02/2025

✨ Another Apicoectomy Success Story!

This case involved a maxillary central incisor ( #8) with a failing root canal treatment performed just 6 months earlier. The patient presented with a lateral radiolucency, raising my suspicion of an untreated lateral canal.

We proceeded with a diagnostic apicoectomy, and during surgery I identified a very distinct lateral exit. Both the apex and the lateral canal were thoroughly cleaned with ultrasonics and sealed with BC Putty (MTA).

👉 The result: 4 months later, the lesion had nearly disappeared. A great example of how endodontic microsurgery can preserve natural teeth that might otherwise be lost. 🦷✨

🦷 Non-Restorable Cracks in Teeth. For my fellow general dentists 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️Not every cracked tooth can be saved.When a fra...
08/31/2025

🦷 Non-Restorable Cracks in Teeth. For my fellow general dentists 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Not every cracked tooth can be saved.
When a fracture extends below the gum line or into the root, the tooth becomes non-restorable. Under the microscope we can clearly see these hidden cracks, which often lead to bone loss and persistent infection.
The pictures here show fractures running from mesial to distal margial ridges and running over the pulpal floor, which means that the tooth is splitted in 2 halves. However, if you diagnose this early, the crack can be limited up to the vertical walls of the coronal part of the tooth only. If so, the tooth is still restorable after a RCT.

⚠️ Key takeaway: Early diagnosis under magnification is critical—if you notice pain on biting, sensitivity, or visible lines on a tooth, seek evaluation promptly.

Hi 👋 all!!! This case wasn’t the most complex one, but what caught my attention was how the bone loss extension and shap...
08/31/2025

Hi 👋 all!!!

This case wasn’t the most complex one, but what caught my attention was how the bone loss extension and shape around the root made me suspect the presence of a secondary canal. Root Canal Treatment on #20

👉 Cleaning & Shaping completed up to 30.04 Vortex Blue
👉 For this one Irrigation activated with EndoActivator:
• 60 seconds with EDTA
• 60 seconds with NaOCl
👉 Obturation with BC Sealer and hydraulic condensation of gutta-percha

The highlight of this case: the lateral puffs toward the bone defect confirmed my clinical suspicion. 🔬

✨ Fellow colleagues, have you ever detected an extra canal thanks to the bone pattern on the radiograph?

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Plantation, FL

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Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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+19544384282

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