Endodontics
Endodontics may be a common term in dentistry, but not everyone understands the field and how it can help them improve their oral health. The most common differentiation is that endodontists can perform root canals while dentists cannot. While this is true, there’s more to the story than that. Once you know what endodontics is and who specializes in it, it’s easier to schedule services that you may have been putting off.
What Is Endodontics?
Endodontics focuses on the interior of the tooth, also known as the pulp, which contains everything from the tooth’s nerves to the blood vessels. This soft tissue feeds each tooth and helps keep it healthy, but if it becomes damaged at any point, it can damage more than just the tooth in question. Endodontic services deal with infected or inflamed pulp, which can help you save the tooth and preserve your oral health.
What Are the Most Common Endodontic Services?
Below, we’ll look at the basics of common endodontic services in Brooklyn, NY:
- Non-surgical root canals: Unquestionably the best-known service, root canals clean the interior of the tooth, removing any damaged pulp and replacing it with a biocompatible material. A non-surgical root canal will not require the dentist to cut into the gum line.
- Surgical root canals: Also known as apicoectomies, surgical root canals will remove damaged soft tissue. In this case, the infection or inflammation has spread below the gum line, which will require the endodontist to make a small incision at the tip of the root.
- Retreatments: A retreatment occurs if a treated tooth becomes damaged again. The endodontist will typically remove the old filling, clear out the canals, and then fill the tooth again.
Why Do People Need Root Canals or Root Canal Retreatments?
There are several reasons why you might need a root canal or root canal retreatment:
- Tooth decay: Many root canals start with little more than small cavities. If those cavities aren’t filled, the tooth will continue to decay over time. Once the bacteria and plaque have eaten away at too much of the tooth, a filling is inadvisable. Only a root canal can intervene, and the service can potentially prevent you from losing the tooth entirely.
- Cracked teeth: When a tooth becomes cracked, it doesn’t automatically require a root canal. In some cases, you may just need a crown (or even a cosmetic treatment like a veneer) to successfully reinforce the tooth. However, depending on the severity of the crack, you may need a root canal before the fissure allows bacteria to pool in the crevice and infect the pulp.
- Trauma: Internal trauma can unexpectedly damage the pulp of the tooth. Whether the pressure comes from a severe fall or car accident, an endodontist can examine the tooth to assess its severity before determining whether you need a root canal.
- Human error: Root canals can be very complex procedures. Depending on the site of the damaged tooth, the endodontist may have to account for a network for roots — and they’re not always easy to get right. This is part of the reason why it’s so important to work with people who have enough expertise in different types of procedures.
- Failed treatments: Unfortunately, even the best endodontists in the world can’t prevent all root canal failures. Anything from new trauma to poor cleaning habits can cause new tooth decay, which can let in more bacteria and require a root canal retreatment.
For some people, root canals are entirely unexpected, the cause of a traumatic event or unexpected tooth failure. More often, they’re the result of much longer oral care trends. It’s important to pay attention to what’s happening because it can help you discuss options with your endodontist (or potentially find a new one). For example, if you’ve had the same tooth filled several times now, it may be time to consider if a root canal would be a better long-term solution.
What Are the Signs You Need to See an Endodontist?
The most common symptom is tooth pain. When the nerves of the tooth become infected or inflamed, they are difficult for most people to ignore. Whether it’s just when you’re biting or chewing or it’s all the time, tooth pain typically doesn’t go away on its own. So whether you feel a dull ache or a keen throbbing, it could be a sign that your tooth’s pulp is damaged.
Other common symptoms include sensitivity or swelling. In some cases, general sensitivity to hot and cold foods doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a root canal. However, if you’ve noticed that other solutions haven’t helped, such as a special toothpaste or softer toothbrush, you may want to visit an endodontist to discuss a problem tooth (or potentially several problem teeth). In addition, if your gums swell or you feel pimple-like bumps along them, this could be an indication that the gums are infected.
Do Root Canals Hurt?
You might be surprised to learn that root canals are a relatively hassle-free procedure. While every case is different, dental technology has come a long way in the past few decades. For most people, it’s as simple as a one-time procedure with just a few days of discomfort afterward.
During a standard root canal, the dentist will provide local anesthesia before separating the tooth with a dental dam, removing the pulp, and then cleaning out the canals. Once the endodontist in Brooklyn, NY finishes, they’ll replace the pulp with a biocompatible material and seal the tooth. The next step is to fit you for a crown, which will reinforce and strengthen the tooth after the pulp’s removal.
Find an Endodontist in Brooklyn, NY
If you’re looking for a team that can help you get the best treatment, whether you have a standard, emergency, or ongoing case, talk to the team at Sconzo and Sciascia General Cosmetic and Family Dentistry to learn more about your options.Endodontics are often the last stop between tooth damage and tooth extraction. And, while there may be plenty of ways to fill in a gap in your smile, it helps your overall oral health if you can keep your natural teeth for as long as possible.
