Endodontic Treatment_01
| Difficult anatomy? | Excellent Prognosis! | |
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| April 2008 | July 2008 | December 2008 |
Who performs endodontic treatment?
All dentists, including your general dentist, have received training in endodontic treatment in dental school. General dentists can perform endodontic procedures, but quite often they refer patients needing endodontic treatment to endodontists.
Endodontist are dentist with special training in endodontic procedures. They perform only endodontics in their practices because they are specialists in that field. To become a specialist, they complete dental school and an additional two or more years of advanced training in endodontics. They perform routine as well as difficult and very complex procedures, including endodontic surgery. Endodontists are also experienced at finding the cause of oral and facial pain that has may have been difficult to diagnose otherwise.
"Endo" is the Greek word for "inside" and "odont" is Greek word for "tooth". Endodontic treats the inside of the tooth.
To understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of the tooth. Inside the tooth, under the white enamel and a hard layer called the dentin, is a soft tissue called 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 is connected to the tissues surrounding the root. The pulp is important during the growth & development of the tooth. However, once a tooth is fully matured, it can survive 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 or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes like deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or a 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 the pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
Signs of pulp damage include pain, difficulty in eating, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling & tenderness in the nearby gums. Sometimes, there are no symptoms. Radiograph or X-ray would help dentist to diagnose the problem.
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. During the next sitting, the endodontist will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth. Click at the link below for a step-by-step explanation of the procedure.
Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?
Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve 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 relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow your endodontist`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 your have severe pain or pressure or pain that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist.
