More commonly known as a root canal, endodontic therapy is performed when the nerve of a tooth becomes infected and is designed to allow patients to keep their tooth.
Without endodontic therapy, dentists would have to pull out teeth with infected nerve systems; fortunately, root canals preserve the tooth structure so that other teeth cannot drift out of line and cause more serious jaw problems.
Moreover, because endodontic therapy saves the natural tooth, patients do not require an artificial tooth.
Treatment Details Endodontic therapy is simply the process of removing infected, injured, or dead pulp from the root system of your tooth.
Within the hard layers of each tooth is the root canal system which is filled with the dental pulp.
The soft dental pulp is made up of nerves and blood vessels that help a tooth grow and develop; but when deep cavities allow bacteria to enter and damage the pulp an abscessed tooth can develop.
Unfortunately, when the pulp becomes infected, it must be removed in order to treat the pain and swelling associated with the abscess.
Without treatment, infected pulp can lead to serious oral health issues.
The root canal procedure is actually a very common treatment that may be performed by your dentist or an endodontist.
Endodontists have completed a post-graduate specialty program in endodontics; therefore, they are highly qualified to perform root canals or any endodontic treatment of the dental pulp and tooth nerve.
There are 7 basic steps involved in endodontic therapy: 1.
Your dentist anaesthetizes your gum sin the area of the damaged tooth.
2.
A rubber dam is placed around the affected tooth in order to prevent bacteria in your saliva from entering the treated area.
3.
Your dentist reaches the root canal system and infected pulp through an opening s/he makes in the tooth.
4.
The damaged pulp is removed and cleaned using fine dental instruments.
The root canal system is enlarged.
5.
Your dental canal is cleaned, filled and sealed.
6.
The opening your dentist created in the tooth is sealed with a temporary or permanent filling.
7.
Follow-up treatments ensure that your tooth is restored to its natural look and feel.
Patient Expectations After endodontic treatment, many patients notice some tenderness for the first couple of weeks.
However, severe pain and swelling are not common, so patients with these symptoms should contact their dentist or endodontist to ensure there are no complications.
Generally speaking, endodontic therapy can be completed within one or two appointments.
Patients should be aware that after endodontic therapy the treated teeth are still susceptible to cavities and gum disease so proper oral care is still very important.
Nevertheless, with regular brushing and flossing and routine dental visits, treated teeth can last as long as untreated teeth.
Without endodontic therapy, dentists would have to pull out teeth with infected nerve systems; fortunately, root canals preserve the tooth structure so that other teeth cannot drift out of line and cause more serious jaw problems.
Moreover, because endodontic therapy saves the natural tooth, patients do not require an artificial tooth.
Treatment Details Endodontic therapy is simply the process of removing infected, injured, or dead pulp from the root system of your tooth.
Within the hard layers of each tooth is the root canal system which is filled with the dental pulp.
The soft dental pulp is made up of nerves and blood vessels that help a tooth grow and develop; but when deep cavities allow bacteria to enter and damage the pulp an abscessed tooth can develop.
Unfortunately, when the pulp becomes infected, it must be removed in order to treat the pain and swelling associated with the abscess.
Without treatment, infected pulp can lead to serious oral health issues.
The root canal procedure is actually a very common treatment that may be performed by your dentist or an endodontist.
Endodontists have completed a post-graduate specialty program in endodontics; therefore, they are highly qualified to perform root canals or any endodontic treatment of the dental pulp and tooth nerve.
There are 7 basic steps involved in endodontic therapy: 1.
Your dentist anaesthetizes your gum sin the area of the damaged tooth.
2.
A rubber dam is placed around the affected tooth in order to prevent bacteria in your saliva from entering the treated area.
3.
Your dentist reaches the root canal system and infected pulp through an opening s/he makes in the tooth.
4.
The damaged pulp is removed and cleaned using fine dental instruments.
The root canal system is enlarged.
5.
Your dental canal is cleaned, filled and sealed.
6.
The opening your dentist created in the tooth is sealed with a temporary or permanent filling.
7.
Follow-up treatments ensure that your tooth is restored to its natural look and feel.
Patient Expectations After endodontic treatment, many patients notice some tenderness for the first couple of weeks.
However, severe pain and swelling are not common, so patients with these symptoms should contact their dentist or endodontist to ensure there are no complications.
Generally speaking, endodontic therapy can be completed within one or two appointments.
Patients should be aware that after endodontic therapy the treated teeth are still susceptible to cavities and gum disease so proper oral care is still very important.
Nevertheless, with regular brushing and flossing and routine dental visits, treated teeth can last as long as untreated teeth.
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