Endodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that treats the inside of a tooth. Here at Envy Smile Dental Spa, our family oriented dental practice can provide you with the highest quality endodontic care and painless root canal therapy.
Why Might I Need to See an Endodontist?
An endodontist specializes in treating problems inside a tooth, so you might require this care if you have a tooth that is badly cracked or which has become damaged, or where the inside of the tooth has become infected. A tooth infection is probably one of the most common reasons you might need to see an endodontist. It is when bacteria in the mouth have been able to get right inside the tooth, infecting and inflaming the very central part which is called the pulp. The pulp of your tooth contains all the nerves and blood vessels and is the reason why a tooth infection can be extremely painful.
Saving Badly Infected Teeth
Luckily with good canal therapy, an endodontist can save a badly infected tooth and it can be restored to provide you with hopefully many years of trouble-free use. We know root canal therapy is one of those things with an undeservedly bad reputation for being painful. In fact it shouldn’t be any worse than having a filling. If your tooth is badly infected and is already causing you pain, then these might be the signs that root canal procedure is needed and it can come as something of a relief. It will get rid of your toothache and afterwards as your tooth settles down, it should feel far more comfortable and will be pain-free.
What Will Happen During Root Canal Therapy?
Before you have root canal therapy, we will need to take detailed dental x-rays that are used to diagnose the extent of the tooth infection and to see the number and shape of the root canals that require cleaning out. During root canal therapy, our endodontist, Dr. Alan Schemaille, will access the central part of your tooth where the pulp is contained through the crown of your tooth and this is the part that is normally exposed in your mouth. Using highly specialized techniques, the pulp tissue will be thoroughly removed and each of the root canals is gently cleaned out. Afterwards the entire area will be disinfected and if the infection was particularly severe then we may place topical antibiotics inside your tooth before sealing it with a temporary filling.
Protecting Teeth with Dental Crowns
Once we are sure the infection has completely cleared up, your tooth can be fully restored. This is normally done using a dental crown that will completely protect your tooth, covering it up right down to the gum line. This level of protection is usually necessary as infected teeth are often badly broken down or substantially decayed and do not have enough structure to support a filling. With a dental crown your tooth will be protected against further infection and it will be restored to the correct size and shape so it will look good and you can use it without fear of it cracking or failing. If we do place a temporary filling, it is extremely important that you return to see us so your tooth can be fully restored with a crown as otherwise you do run the risk of the tooth becoming re-infected.