Common Endodontic Treatments and Why You May Need Them

Despite improvements in dentistry, dental issues like tooth decay, severe pain, and dental trauma still affect millions. When you visit your dentist for severe or complex dental problems, they can recommend endodontics.

Like many, you might be curious about what endodontics means and why they may be essential for oral health. This article discusses what endodontics is, common endodontic treatments, and why you might need endodontics in Danbury, CT.

What is endodontics?

Endodontics dentistry focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions of the tooth’s pulp or roots. The pulp is the innermost tooth’s chamber that’s comprised of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues.

An endodontist is a specialist trained to offer endodontic care. After dental school, endodontists undergo additional 2-3 years of specialized training in endodontics. It enables them to address complex dental conditions to save teeth and promote oral health.

Common Endodontic Treatments

Endodontists focus on managing endodontic problems like severe tooth pain, tooth infections, and traumatic dental injuries using a wide range of treatments, including:

• • Root canal therapy

A root canal is the most popular endodontic treatment. The treatment is often necessary to treat infections or decay in the tooth’s pulp. During the procedure, the endodontist drills through the tooth and uses small orthodontic files to remove infected or inflamed pulp tissues inside the tooth. Then, the canals are cleaned, disinfected, filled, and sealed to prevent new infections.

The procedure helps remove and stop the progression of tooth infection, saving your tooth from further damage and extraction. Visit our office for endodontic therapy in Danbury, CT.

• • Endodontic retreatment

Due to various factors, a tooth may not heal as expected after a root canal or another endodontic treatment. For instance, a damaged or ill-fitting restoration can allow new contamination inside a tooth after a root canal, causing infections.

An endodontist can perform endodontic retreatment to address the new issues. Retreatment in a failed root canal involves re-opening the tooth, cleaning the canals, and refilling and sealing the tooth.

• • Endodontic surgery

Sometimes endodontic surgery can be necessary to locate damaged or hidden canals, treat damaged root surfaces, and repair surrounding bone. An apicoectomy is a common endodontic surgery to remove an infected tooth’s root tip and surrounding tissues.

• • Dental implants

While dental professionals will do their best to save your tooth, sometimes an extraction is the only suitable remedy. After tooth extraction, replacing your lost tooth as soon as possible is essential to prevent jawbone deterioration, teeth misalignments, and other issues.

Dental Implants can replace missing teeth, restore your function and appearance, keep your teeth in position, preserve jawbone health, and improve oral health.

Common Reasons for Endodontics

Below are common signs and symptoms that can indicate the need for endodontic dental care:

• Severe tooth pain. Severe, throbbing, or persistent tooth pain can indicate an infected pulp, necessitating a root canal treatment.
• Prolonged sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Prolonged, sharp tooth pain when taking very hot or cold items like coffee or ice can expose your nerves, and you might need endodontic care.
• Tooth discoloration. A discolored or darkened tooth could indicate nerve damage, necessitating endodontic treatments.
• Dental abscess. A painful, pus-filled, recurring pimple on the gums or near tooth roots indicates a spreading infection. You should address it urgently to prevent further spreading and oral tissue damage.
• Gum swelling or tenderness around a specific tooth. It often indicates a tooth infection that’s spreading to the surrounding tissues. Endodontics may be necessary to address the issue.
• Severe dental trauma. Severe teeth injuries like chips, fractures, or breaks can expose the nerves, cause severe pain, and increase the risk of future damage. Endodontics may be necessary to treat the damage and save your tooth from extraction.
• Persistent bad breath or taste. Unpleasant breath or taste can indicate severe tooth or gum infections. Endodontics may be necessary to treat the infection.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you can see our dentist for endodontic treatment in Danbury, CT. Prompt care is essential to prevent further damage, save your tooth, and promote oral health.

Final Verdict

Endodontics plays a major role in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions of the dental pulp and roots. Contact Danbury Smiles – George Landress, DDS, MAGD, for more information about endodontic dental care.