What Is Endodontic Treatment and Why Would I Need an Endodontic Procedure?

Endodontic treatments are a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the dental pulp and surrounding tissues that have been injured or have a disease. The soft tissue that is found inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels is called dental pulp. Endodontic treatments focus on restoring the health of the pulp or removing it if necessary to prevent further damage or infection.

Endodontic surgery might be warranted to save a tooth that cannot be treated with root canal therapy alone. Endodontic surgery involves removing damaged tissue from the root of the tooth and may be necessary if the tooth has a fracture or if the root canal is blocked or curved.

Endodontic treatments also include treating cracked teeth, which can be caused by a few different things like trauma, grinding, or biting on hard objects. Cracked teeth can be hard to find and treat, but endodontic treatments can help preserve the tooth and prevent further damage.

The most well-known endodontic procedures are root canal therapy, endodontic retreatment, and apicoectomy.

Root canal therapy is a popular endodontic treatment that is made to treat teeth that are infected or damaged. The endodontist will get rid of the infected pulp from the tooth’s root canal and fill it with a special material to prevent further infection. This treatment is highly effective and can save a tooth from having to be extracted.

Endodontic retreatment is another common procedure that is performed when a previously treated tooth requires further treatment due to re-infection or other complications. This treatment is similar to root canal therapy, but it involves removing the previous filling material and re-treating the tooth to eliminate any remaining infection.

Apicoectomy is a surgical procedure that is used to treat an infection that has spread to the bone. During this procedure, the endodontist will remove the infected root tip and surrounding tissue to prevent the infection from spreading further. This treatment is usually recommended when a previous root canal treatment has failed or when the infection is particularly severe.

An endodontic procedure is a dental treatment that is necessary when the pulp in the root canal ends up inflamed or infected. The pulp houses all the nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that is responsible for helping the tooth grow and develop. When the pulp becomes damaged, it can cause severe pain, hot and cold temperatures could make you sensitive, and swelling.

The most common causes of pulp damage are deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, or trauma to the tooth. If it’s not taken care of, the infection can move to the surrounding bone and tissue, causing an abscess or even tooth loss.

The endodontic procedure involves removing the infected or damaged pulp, cleaning and shaping the root canal, and then filling and sealing the space. The dentist will put some sort of numbing agent around the tooth and use special tools to reach the pulp chamber and root canals. This is where they will remove the infected or damaged pulp and clean the area thoroughly. The root canals will then be shaped to allow for filling material to be placed inside.

Once the root canals are filled and sealed, the dentist will place a temporary filling to protect the tooth until a permanent restoration can be placed. This may involve a crown or another type of fix, based on the amount of damage to the tooth.

The recovery time after endodontic treatment can vary from person to person and depends on several factors, including the seriousness of the treatment and the person’s overall health. However, in general, most people can return to their normal activities within a day or two after the procedure. Some common symptoms that may be experienced after endodontic treatment include mild discomfort, sensitivity, and swelling, but these typically subside within a few days. It’s imperative to follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to make sure of proper healing and avoid any complications. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3901 Raspberry Rd, Anchorage, AK 99502. We serve patients from Anchorage AK, Basher AK, Campbell AK, Spenard AK, Midtown AK, and surrounding areas.