Root canals and endodontic surgery are specialized treatments for issues related to the inside of the tooth. While all dentists have completed dental school, an NYC endodontist has additional two years of specialty training focusing on treating and diagnosing tooth pain and procedures involving the interior of the tooth. If you are experiencing tooth pain, call an endodontist near me to schedule a consultation.

They are also much more skilled in performing root canal treatments and can save more teeth than a general dentist in a week.

Root canals

Often, root canals are done to save infected or damaged teeth. The soft center of a tooth (pulp) contains blood vessels and nerves and creates the surrounding hard tissues during development. If the pulp gets infected, it can cause pain and swelling.

During a root canal, an endodontist will use local anesthesia to numb the area around the affected tooth. Next, they will drill a small hole in your tooth to access the pulp and clean out any bacteria and dead tissue. They will then fill and seal the empty pulp chamber and root canals with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.

Once the procedure is complete, your dentist will put a temporary dental filling in the opening and schedule another appointment to restore your tooth. If your tooth needs to be replaced, your dentist may recommend a crown that can restore it to its normal appearance and function. Getting an implant to replace a missing tooth will require additional procedures, cost more, and leave a gap that could affect your bite and occlusion.

Endodontic surgery

When a root canal treatment fails to heal or becomes infected, endodontic surgery is usually the next step. It is an outpatient procedure and is performed under local anesthesia, so you won’t feel a thing during the entire process.

The dentist will create an opening in the gum tissue to access the inflamed tooth pulp and remove any dead or infected cells at the root end. They will clean and seal the space and the jawbone will then naturally grow around the end of the root, forming a healthy new bone.

You can expect some swelling and mild bruising after the procedure. But these symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses. If you have any questions about your recovery, talk to your endodontist. They will provide all the instructions you need to get back to normal life as soon as possible.

Endodontic retreatment

A root canal is a highly successful treatment that can save a severely damaged tooth. However, it does not make the tooth impervious to future problems and infections. In such cases, a Jenkintown endodontist may recommend retreatment to prevent further damage or save the tooth entirely.

The need for root canal retreatment usually stems from a complication in the original treatment. This could be due to a cracked crown or filling that exposes the tooth to contaminating bacteria, a root canal that failed to heal properly, or an anatomy that was difficult to treat.

During this procedure, your endodontist will reopen the tooth and remove the old restorative filling material to gain access to the root canal. Then they will clean, shape, and fill the canals before restoring them with a temporary filling. They will also seal the opening to protect it from re-infection. Then, you will return to your dentist for a more permanent restoration that will restore function and esthetics.

Endodontic extraction

An endodontist is trained to diagnose complex causes of tooth pain and to perform procedures that relieve pain and save your natural teeth. These treatments may also restore the function of your jaw and mouth. They can be much cheaper and less painful than dental implants.

Some of the most common reasons for a visit to an endodontist include:

Symptoms that indicate an infected root or pulp tissue, which includes severe pain or swelling.

A root canal is a surgical procedure that can save an infected or damaged tooth from having to be removed entirely. Although some patients are reluctant to undergo this treatment, it is not as painful as it used to be. In fact, it is virtually as comfortable as getting a filling with today’s advanced technology and a local anesthetic. It also helps to preserve the surrounding healthy teeth and prevents crookedness.