Treatment

endodontics

Endodontic Procedures

What is endodontic treatment?

Endo is the Greek word for "inside" and "odont" is the Greek word for tooth. Endodontic treatment treats the inside of your tooth. To understand treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside your tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and creates the surrounding hard tissues of the tooth during development.

The pulp extends from the crown of the tooth to the tip of the roots where it connects to the tissues of the surrounding the root. The pulp is important during a tooth's growth and development. However, once a tooth is fully mature it can service without the pulp, because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.

Why would I need an endodontic procedure?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed of infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, a blow to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

Signs of pulp damage include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling and tenderness in the nearby gums. Sometimes, there are no symptoms.

How does endodontic treatment save the tooth?

The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the tooth, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, you will return to you dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect it and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?

Many endodontic procedures are performed to relive the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure.

For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relived with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow your edodonitist's instructions carefully.

Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is completed. However, if you have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist.

The following is the Endodontic Procedure

Endodontic treatment can often be performed in one or two visits and involves the following steps:

1st Procedure - The Prognosis and Anesthetic
2nd Procedure - The Operation

3rd Procedure - The Restoration
4th Procedure - The Follow-up