Endodontic Services
Endodontic Services
If you have a tooth that is experiencing pain, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, has suffered dental trauma or has signs or symptoms indicating a cracked tooth, then your dentist may recommend endodontic treatment.
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Endodontic services deal with the treatment of the pulp inside the tooth and the tissues that surround the root of the tooth so that tooth loss can be avoided. Though they tend to get a bad rap, advances in dentistry have made these services easier than ever before and Dr. Naomi Dalton and the team at Woodson’s Reserve Dental are committed to ensuring that your procedure is virtually painless.
About Endodontic Services
Root Canal Treatment
The most common endodontic procedure, root canals are performed when the pulp of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected, usually because of deep decay, cracks, or injury. Root canals are performed to remove infection, alleviate pain, and ultimately save the tooth. The procedure involves removing the infected pulp, thoroughly cleaning the root canals, and then filling them with a biocompatible filling material that will seal them off from bacteria. Since it is performed under anesthesia, you should not feel pain and they can even be completed in a single visit (depending on the tooth). Upon completion, the tooth will often need to be crowned to help prevent fracture.
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Endodontic Retreatment After Root Canal Therapy
Nothing lasts forever, and sometimes that includes root canals. Endodontic retreatment may become necessary for several reasons including reinfection of the canal space (due to a loose crown or broken filling), complicated root anatomy that may have caused a canal to be missed or inadequately treated at the initial appointment, or fracture of the tooth. Endodontic retreatment involves removal of the crown and root canal filling and cleaning of the canals again while looking for additional canals or unusual anatomy. The canals will then be re-filled and the crown replaced.
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Apicoectomies
In most cases a root canal is sufficient to return a previously infected or inflamed tooth to a state of health. However, in some cases, this may not be sufficient for the tooth and the surrounding tissues and an apicoectomy may be necessary. An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure that involves making a small incision in the gum tissues to expose the bone underneath. A tiny opening is then made in the bone above the tip of the root to expose the site of infection so that the infected tissue can be removed, the root tip cleaned and then the root sealed with a filling. A suture is then placed to help the gum tissue heal.
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Treatment of Traumatic Injuries
Traumatic injuries to the tooth can cause damage to both the exterior (resulting in fractures or cracks) and interior of the tooth (damage to the pulp). Where there is injury to the pulp, root canal treatment is often needed to ensure that the tooth remains healthy and can be saved.
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Endodontic procedures are a safe and reliable way to save your teeth. Don’t let tooth loss happen to you! Contact us today.