Tooth damage is a severe problem that can result in tooth loss. Losing a natural tooth is unpleasant and can gravely affect oral health. For example, it can cause the remaining teeth to shift, altering their appearance and causing you a bad bite. When missing natural teeth, you could also experience difficulties eating, speaking, or smiling. Tooth loss also causes your jawbone to deteriorate. That is why dentists find ways to restore your damaged natural tooth.
Tooth damage occurs for several reasons, including accidents, cavities, or dental decay. If the cause of your tooth damage is its inner tissues, your dentist can remove the affected tissues to prevent further damage to your teeth and alleviate your pain. This is what endodontics is all about. It is a field of dentistry that deals with removing inner tooth tissues that could be diseased or inflamed. Endodontic services often come before dental restorative treatment, like installing dental crowns to restore the strength and functionality of an impacted tooth.
Examples of endodontic services your dentist can recommend are root canal therapy, endodontic treatment, and endodontic surgery. The exact treatment your dentist will recommend will depend on the underlying problem with your tooth. You need these services if you injure one or more teeth or if your teeth are damaged due to an untreated dental issue like a cavity or decay.
Extracting a diseased tooth seems like the best solution to rid you of the pain and other symptoms you are experiencing, but that will leave you without a natural tooth. Also, dental restorative procedures are expensive and time-consuming. Endodontic procedures aim to save the natural teeth from extraction and your time and money.
Our skilled dentists at The Lakewood Dentist have the information and knowledge you need to understand more about endodontic services and your dental issues. You can count on our expert care and help if you need treatment for a damaged tooth in Lakewood.
An Overview of Endodontic Services
Your dental and oral health are as vital as your general well-being. Caring for your natural teeth and mouth ensures you enjoy healthy and functional teeth, gums, and jawbone. A problem with your teeth can affect their functionality, how you eat and speak, and your general health. Dentists work round the clock to ensure you have strong and healthy teeth and all the tissues and structures involved. If a problem occurs, a dentist is always ready and willing to help you with the problem and restore your oral health.
The oral problems that people experience are diverse. Different fields of dentistry are available to help prevent and treat dental issues and restore damaged teeth and structures. Dentists also offer cosmetic dentistry services to improve how you look and feel. When you seek a dentist’s help with a dental problem, their main goal should be to treat the underlying issue and try their best to retain the natural teeth. Well-trained dentists will not be quick to extract a problematic tooth unless in situations where extraction is in your oral health’s best interest.
Endodontics is an area of dentistry focusing on the most complicated dental problems affecting the underlying structures of natural teeth. When the root or pulp of your natural tooth is impacted, it affects that tooth’s health, appearance, and functionality. However, an endodontist can treat the underlying structure without extracting or altering the appearance of your natural tooth. Some underlying issues endodontists treat include those that damage the pulp or pulpitis and those that have to do with sudden injuries and tooth decay.
The pulp is the natural tooth’s inner layer. It contains nerves and blood vessels. When dangerous bacteria infect these structures, they can become infected. The problem can start with inflammation, which is usually painful and causes the tooth to become sensitive. An endodontist will first examine the affected tooth and its underlying structures to establish the exact problem and the problem’s location. They will then use advanced strategies and tools to treat the problem. Several treatment options are available for these problems, including root canal therapy and endodontic surgery.
The dentist’s aim during treatment would be to remove infected structures to stop the infection. The dentist will then fill the remaining void to give your tooth structure and restore its appearance and strength. These treatments relieve your symptoms and save the natural tooth from extraction.
Root Canal Therapy
You need root canal therapy if an infection on your tooth due to a cavity extends to the tooth’s underlying structures. Your tooth becomes painful and sensitive and can swell as the infection progresses deep into the roots and pulp.
Dentists recommend good oral hygiene as one of the ways you can maintain clean and healthy teeth. Good oral hygiene comprises brushing your teeth at least twice daily and flossing daily to remove stuck food particles from your teeth. When cleaning your teeth, you must be careful enough to reach all areas in your mouth to remove dirt and any food particles that could be stuck in the hard-to-reach areas.
If you do not care for your teeth, the dangerous bacteria can cause a buildup, eating away the enamel and causing cavities. The bacteria will continue feeding on your enamel and can progress to the teeth’s underlying structures if you do not take immediate action once you notice the buildup. When the bacteria extend to the underlying systems, they become inflamed and later infected. The best possible solution for an infected pulp is to remove it and clean up the infected part.
The bacteria in the south aid in the digestion of food. It can remain harmless until it comes into contact with food particles in the mouth. When that happens, it releases an acid that causes a dangerous buildup on your teeth and gums. If more acid is released in your mouth over time, the buildup increases, causing problems with your teeth and gums. The buildup is the leading cause of severe oral conditions like cavities and gum disease. If you fail to practice good oral hygiene, you end up with cavities or dental decay, which exposes your teeth’s inner structures to inflammation and infection.
Root canal therapy is a popular endodontic treatment procedure for infected underlying structures. It involves removing the infected structures to relieve discomfort and pain. Additionally, the dentist saves your natural tooth.
Typical Signs You Need Root Canal Treatment
A dentist will recommend root canal therapy after thoroughly examining your teeth, gums, and underlying structures. But here are some indications that your tooth’ underlying structures are infected, and you could undergo root canal treatment:
- You Have a Prolonged Toothache
A toothache is always an indication that something is wrong with your tooth. If you have tried all possible home remedies and still have an aching tooth, you could have a cavity and a possible infection of the tooth’s pulp. An infected tooth will be painful, which could radiate to the jaw. It is necessary to seek treatment immediately after you experience the pain.
- Tooth Sensitivity
An infected root will cause your tooth to become sensitive, especially to hot and cold drinks and foods. It is because the infection affects the underlying nerves. If the sensitivity does not subside after several seconds, your dentist could recommend root canal therapy.
- Tooth Abscess
An infection in the mouth sometimes causes you to develop gum boils. They appear as pimples on the gums around the problematic teeth, filled with pus. The abscess is usually very painful. Your dentist can examine the boil, the tooth, and the tooth’s underlying structure to recommend root canal therapy.
- Extreme Pain When Biting Down
If your tooth is extremely painful when you bite down, like chewing or biting food, its underlying structures could be infected. The pain comes from infected nerves.
- Tooth Discoloration
An infected tooth sometimes becomes darker than it previously was. The infection of its underlying structures affects the blood flow to the tooth, causing it to become discolored.
- Chipped or Cracked Teeth
If you have chipped or cracked teeth, keeping them clean becomes a challenge. Food particles will find their way into the cracks and will be difficult to remove with regular brushing and flossing. In most cases, these areas are usually the first to suffer when the bacteria combine with the stuck food particles to cause inflammation and infections in the mouth. The cracks or chips on the tooth could also be the easiest way for dangerous bacteria to enter your tooth’s underlying structures.
If you experience some or most of these symptoms, a dentist will examine you and recommend the best treatment. Dentists recommend root canal therapy in situations where they can save the natural tooth, remove the infection, and stop its spread. Root canal therapy may precede a restorative procedure like dental implants or dental crowns to restore the strength and functionality of the affected tooth.
Preparing for Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy does not happen on the day the dentist has examined and diagnosed you. It takes several visits to the dentist’s office to complete the procedure. You can prepare for treatment by doing the following:
- Take the medications the dentist will recommend preparing for the treatment, including anti-inflammatory medicines and antibiotics. You must take some medications days or hours before the procedure to treat the condition and protect yourself from possible complications.
- The dentist will advise you to avoid smoking before and after root canal treatment. This is because tobacco products affect the body’s capacity to heal after a procedure like that.
- The dentist could also encourage you to eat healthy meals before and after the treatment. During the procedure, the dentist will numb the gums and mouth. You will not be able to eat right after treatment. That is why you should consume a healthy meal before undergoing treatment and once you can eat.
It could take two or more visits to the dentist’s office for root canal therapy. It mainly depends on how extensive the infection on your tooth is. The treatment process itself takes about an hour or less.
The Treatment Procedure
All dental-related treatments and procedures start with thoroughly examining your mouth, teeth, gums, jawbone, and underlying structures. The dentist must first be sure what they are dealing with before recommending treatment. For root canal therapy, the dentist must order an X-ray exam to establish the location and extent of the disease and nerve damage. Here are typical steps that the doctor will take during treatment:
- The dentist will first administer anesthesia to keep you relaxed and free from pain during treatment. Note that a root canal treatment is an invasive procedure. The dentist needs anesthesia to numb your gums and teeth and keep you safe from pain and discomfort. Anesthesia also helps reduce your anxiety so that you can remain calm and relaxed throughout the process.
- The dentist will then place a dental dam over the gums to keep them dry throughout treatment.
- They will then drill into the tooth to create a tunnel through which the dentist will access the affected pulp.
- Treatment involves removing the pulp to stop the infection. The dentist will insert the tools and instruments that will enable them to remove the affected pulp. The affected pulp could comprise blood vessels and nerves.
- Once the affected pulp is out, the dentist will remove the pulp chamber and disinfect the entire area. They will then fill the empty canals and seal the treatment site to prevent further infection.
- Since most teeth requiring root canal treatment have cavities, the dentist can perform dental restoration on the tooth to restore its appearance and functionality. The dental restoration the dentist will suggest depends on the extent of tooth damage. Examples include dental implants, bridges, and crowns.
If you suffer anxiety when undergoing an invasive dental procedure, anesthesia will help you go through the treatment with minimal worries and pain.
If you have been in excruciating pain before root canal therapy, you will feel relief from pain and other symptoms immediately following the treatment. Here are some other benefits you enjoy after root canal treatment:
- Root canal therapy stops the spread of the infection to your other teeth
- It eases the discomfort and pain that you experience due to the infection
- It eliminates the need for tooth extraction
- It protects your jawbone from damage
Root canal therapy is generally a safe treatment. But you must work with a skilled endodontist to enjoy a safe and effective process.
Endodontic Treatment
If you undergo successful root canal therapy, your teeth can remain healthy and strong forever. But you must practice good oral hygiene and care for your gums and teeth to prevent the recurrence of infections. However, some patients do not experience absolute relief after root canal treatment. If the treatment is not successful, you could continue to experience pain, sensitivity, and discomfort following the treatment. You should report your symptoms to the dentist immediately after they begin. If, after examination, the dentist realizes that root canal treatment was not successful, they can recommend endodontic treatment to save the natural tooth and manage your symptoms.
All dental procedures do not guarantee results. Some work very well for some patients but fail for others. Some patients enjoy good results for years after root canal treatment. But the procedure fails for others. For example, if the dentists did not treat the narrow canals well after the process or you took a long time after the root canal to undergo dental restoration,. If the dentist does not clean out the infection well or the infection recurs after root canal therapy, you will soon start experiencing fresh symptoms of a tooth infection.
Before undergoing treatment for the second time on the same tooth, your dentist will explain the cause of the reinfection and your treatment options. If you decide to undergo treatment, the dentist will open the tooth again to inspect the filling material used during root canal therapy. The treatment process involves disassembling the restoration material.
Drilling the tooth once more gives the dentist access to the inner structures of the affected tooth. The dentist will use that tunnel to clean the root canals again and inspect the area to ensure it is infection-free. The tunnel allows the dentist to insert instruments and tools they need for treatment. Once they clean and disinfect the canals, the dentist will temporarily fill the area using dental filling material.
Endodontic treatment is expensive. Remember that this treatment comes after a failed root canal. It means you will incur an additional cost after paying for root canal therapy to undergo treatment. But the price is incomparable to the relief you obtain after a successful treatment. It also saves your natural tooth and the cost of treatment if you lose the tooth to infection.
Endodontic Surgery
You could need surgery if your tooth infection becomes severe or complicated. In cases where root canal therapy is insufficient to remove an infected pulp and prevent further disease, dentists recommend surgical treatment. Surgery can also help in cases where root canal therapy or any other endodontic treatment is insufficient to save the natural tooth. However, it is recommended as the last resort when the dentist has tried or is unsure of different treatment options.
Surgical treatment is a very effective option to rid your tooth of infected pulp. It entails opening the affected tooth to access and better view the affected area. Surgical treatment is beneficial in these ways:
- It gives the dentist a proper view of the infected pulp and the entire tooth structure for proper diagnosis and treatment. If you experience serious symptoms because of an infected tooth, an X-ray exam can miss out on some areas that require treatment. A proper diagnosis through surgery ensures that the dentist can see and treat all the problematic areas.
- It lets the dentist remove calcium deposits on your teeth for effective treatment. You undergo calcification if calcium deposits accumulate on your teeth. They narrow the tooth canal, making navigation difficult when performing root canal therapy. The dentist can remove the calcium deposits through surgical treatment to gain access to the treatment site.
- Surgery is a pretty effective treatment for an infected pulp. If you have tried other endodontic treatments without success, you will likely experience positive results with surgery.
- If the infection has spread to other parts of the tooth, like the jawbone, your dentist can extend the treatment site to those other areas through surgical treatment. Surgical treatment addresses all other complications related to tooth infections and saves your natural tooth.
The Procedure
The dentist starts the treatment by administering anesthesia to keep you comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. It is necessary to let your dentist know of any allergies you have so that they can take precautions when administering anesthesia and recommending medications.
The dentist will make a surgical incision in the affected tooth. The incision will open the gum and give the dentist access to the infected tooth’s root.
They will remove the infected tissues and the tooth’s root end, clean up the entire area, and place a filling material to seal the canal.
The dentist will also examine your tooth structures for abnormalities, damage, and cracks. If everything is okay, they will place the gum back in its position.
Find a Competent General Dentist Near Me
If you have an infected tooth due to a cavity, tooth extraction is not an ideal solution for it. Skilled dentists recommend extraction when they cannot salvage a severely damaged tooth. If a dentist can save your tooth, they could recommend endodontic treatment to treat the infection.
Saving your natural tooth is our top priority at The Lakewood Dentist. We strive to keep the natural tooth to maintain your natural good bite, keep your jawbone strong and in shape, and keep you enjoying functional teeth. That is why we have highly skilled endodontists to perform root canal treatment, endodontic treatment, or endodontic surgery. We recommend treatment according to the nature and severity of your tooth infection. For more information and guidance on endodontic services in Lakewood, contact us at 562-423-1441.