What Is Endodontic Treatment and Why Would I Need an Endodontic Procedure?

Endodontic treatment is a specialized area of dentistry focused on addressing complex dental issues, particularly involving the inner tissues of the teeth, such as the nerve or pulp. Various endodontic procedures aim to save teeth that would otherwise need removal.

The tooth pulp encompasses blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues inside each tooth. Dentists utilize advanced techniques to address root or dental pulp issues. The root is a crucial part responsible for holding the tooth in place. Endodontic procedures are often designed to address complex causes of tooth pain or preserve natural teeth, even those severely decayed or damaged.

Common endodontic procedures include root canals, performed to save a tooth that would otherwise be extracted. Root canals become necessary when the pulp or the canals holding the pulp become infected or inflamed due to factors like fractures, cracks, cavities, repeated dental injuries, or multiple treatments on the same tooth. Infection or inflammation can cause pain, discomfort, abscess, and eventually even tooth loss.

Identifying infection or inflammation may involve observing symptoms like tooth sensitivity, pain, discoloration, tenderness, and gum swelling. The diagnosis and need for endodontic treatment are confirmed through a physical examination and imaging tests by specialists at Great Smiles Family Dentist.

Root canals involve removing infected pulp, cleaning out the root canals, and sealing them. The procedure is performed under anesthesia to ensure patients do not feel any pain.

Another common endodontic treatment is endodontic retreatment, replacing material from a previous root canal that failed to heal properly. In cases where a tooth cannot be saved, dentists may perform tooth extractions.

They also handle surgical placements of dental implants to support prosthetic treatments and restore the function and appearance of teeth after extraction. Endodontists perform emergency dental procedures to address complex dental issues and severe tooth infections, aiming to save natural teeth.

There are a wide range of reasons endodontic procedures may be deemed necessary, centered around preserving a patient’s natural tooth. They can relieve a myriad of symptoms including tooth pain, restore functionality, and extend the life of a patient’s natural tooth. Endodontic intervention becomes imperative when inflammation or infection affects the dental pulp.

Patients may require endodontic procedures to save teeth due to reasons such as excessive tooth decay, repeated dental procedures on a single tooth, chipped or cracked teeth, large fillings, or extensive tooth decay affecting structural integrity.

The best way to determine whether or not endodontic procedures are necessary is to maintain routine checkups at Great Smiles Family Dentist, where specialists can identify any number of issues that may require prompt treatment interventions to preserve your smile and oral health.

While some individuals may be nervous about root canal procedures, there is little reason to be. They are frequently performed, and highly effective, and the recovery time is typically swift. Although recovery time varies among patients, the procedure itself is painless and provides immediate pain relief that individuals may have been experiencing ahead of the root canal.

After a root canal, patients may experience swelling and difficulty chewing, requiring a few days of avoiding excessive physical activity and certain foods. Specialists at Great Smiles Family Dentistry provide detailed post-treatment instructions, and side effects should heal within a week.

Most root canals require between one and three visits to the dentist. The pain usually subsides after the first session, and many patients return for the addition of a crown on top of the root canal to enhance stability and strength, minimizing the risk of the tooth breaking again.

Endodontic treatment is available at Great Smiles Family Dentistry. We serve patients from Toledo OH, Oregon OH, Ottawa Hills OH, Perrysburg OH, Woodhurst OH, Sylvania OH, and Shoreland OH. Book your next appointment now and discover how we can help you smile with confidence again! You can also visit us online to learn more about our promotional offers!