ENDODONTIA
Endodontic treatment or root canal therapy, is the most common procedure in this field, it involves removing the infected or damaged pulp, cleaning, disinfecting, and shaping the root canals, and then filling and sealing them. This allows the patient to keep their natural tooth and avoid the need for an extraction. In addition to root canal therapy, endodontists can also perform other procedures such as Apicoectomy, which is the removal of the tip of the tooth root, and treat traumatic dental injuries
When to See an Endodontist
First, if you have severe pain or an infection.
Secondly, if you have fractured or cracked a tooth, root canal treatment might save your tooth from extraction. Cracked and fractured teeth are often extracted. Depending upon the extent of the crack, a lot can be predictably saved.
Third, if you have a tooth that is recommended for extraction, and you are uncertain, get a second opinion. Even if a tooth has had root canal treatment in the past, the tooth can often be fixed and saved.
With the right treatment, your teeth can often last a lifetime, something we can all smile about.
In the majority of cases, your tooth can be saved with endodontic treatment, such as:
- Root canal treatment
- Endodontic retreatment
- Endodontic surgery
- Traumatic dental injuries
- Dental implants
While endodontists are specialists in saving teeth—meaning they are trained in performing root canals and other procedures to save the tooth— they will look at all treatment options to determine the best for each individual patient and case.
