How Can an Endodontic Specialist Help Me?
Many people visit their general dentist for routine cleanings and fillings, but certain situations require the expertise of a specialist. An endodontist is a dentist who has completed advanced training focused on diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal treatments. Their work focuses on the interior of the tooth, the dental pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Here’s information on the services an endodontic specialist provides:
Root Canal Therapy
A common endodontic procedure is root canal therapy, and it becomes necessary when the tooth pulp becomes inflamed or infected. Inflammation or infection has a variety of causes, including:
- Deep Decay
- Repeated Dental Procedures
- Faulty Crowns
- A Cracked or Chipped Tooth
If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess. During the procedure, the endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, cleans and shapes the inside of the root canal, then fills and seals the space.
Preserving your natural tooth structure is the primary goal of an endodontic specialist. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a long time. Advanced technologies give a detailed view of the inside of the tooth, allowing endodontists to treat tiny canals. This precision helps to eliminate infection effectively and promotes faster healing.
Endodontic Retreatment
A tooth that has received treatment may fail to heal, and sometimes, tooth pain occurs months or years after treatment. If so, endodontic retreatment may be needed. Improper healing may be caused by curved or narrow canals that were not treated during the initial procedure, or complicated canal anatomy that went undetected in the first instance.
A new cavity can contaminate the root canal filling, or a cracked filling can expose the tooth to new infection. During retreatment, the endodontist will reopen the tooth to gain access to the root canal filling material. They will remove the restorative material, clean the canals, and examine the inside of the tooth to identify any additional canals or unusual anatomy that requires treatment.
Endodontic Surgery
In some cases, a non-surgical root canal procedure alone cannot save a tooth, and endodontic surgery may be recommended. Surgery can be used to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on X-rays but still manifest pain in the tooth. It is also used to treat damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone.
The most common endodontic surgical procedure is an apicoectomy, also known as root-end resection. This procedure is necessary when inflammation or infection persists around the end of your tooth after a root canal procedure. In this microsurgical procedure, the endodontist opens the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue. The very end of the root is also removed, and a small filling may be placed to seal the end of the root canal. A few stitches are placed in the gum to help the tissue heal properly.
Contact an Endodontic Specialist
If you are experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity, a specialist can help you save your natural teeth. Endodontists offer specialized care to relieve pain and preserve your smile through advanced treatments, and they can determine which services are right for your needs. Contact an endodontic specialist to learn more today.
