An endodontist is a dentist who has specialized in treating and handling dental problems that involve the nerve tissue and blood vessels located inside the tooth. If the tooth pulp, containing nerves, vessels, lymphatic tissue, and fibrous tissue, becomes diseased or injured, endodontic treatment is required to save the tooth.
With the lengthy education that an endodontist receives, they are able to perform all aspects of endodontic therapy, including:
- Diagnosis and treatment of dental pain
- Routine and complex root canals
- Retreatments
- Endodontic surgery
- Treatment of traumatic dental injuries
- Treatment of cracked teeth
- Internal bleaching
- Vital pulp therapies
Root Canals
Endodontic therapy, also known as a root canal, is a relatively painless treatment which aims at clearing infection as well as protecting the tooth from subsequent infections.
In the past, if you had a tooth with a diseased pulp, you would probably lose that tooth. Today, with a special dental procedure called root canal treatment, your tooth can be saved. Root canals are a relatively simple procedure involving one or more office visits. Best of all, having a root canal when necessary can save your tooth and your smile!
A tooth's pulp is not vitally important to a tooth's health and function after the tooth has emerged through the gums. Its only function is the formation of the tooth. The presence or absence of pulp will not affect the day-to-day functioning of the tooth.
When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and germs can cause an infection inside the tooth. If left untreated, an abscess may form. If the infected tissue is not removed, pain and swelling can result. This can not only injure your jawbones, but it is detrimental to your overall health. Without the proper treatment, your tooth may have to be removed.
Teeth that require root canal therapy are not always painful. However, signs you may need a root canal include severe toothache, pain upon chewing or application of pressure, prolonged sensitivity or pain in response to hot and cold temperatures, a dark discoloration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact our office for check up as soon as possible.
As occasionally happens with any dental or medical procedure, a tooth may not heal as expected after initial endodontic therapy (root canal treatment) for a variety of reasons. If the infection did not heal properly, placement of the crown or other restoration was delayed, or new decay has formed, you may need endodontic retreatment in order to save your tooth.