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

Endodontic treatments are a specialized branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental pulp and the tissues surrounding the roots of teeth. The pulp is the soft tissue that is inside the tooth that houses nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. If the dental pulp ends up infected or inflamed, it can cause severe pain and discomfort. Endodontic treatments aim to save the natural tooth by eliminating the infected or inflamed pulp and swapping it with a filling material.

The number one endodontic treatment is a root canal, which removes the infected or inflamed pulp in the tooth’s root canal system. The root canal system is then cleaned, and shaped, and a biocompatible material is inserted to prevent additional infection. Endodontic surgery may be necessary in some cases where a root canal is not sufficient to treat the problem. This may involve removing the tip of the tooth’s root or repairing a damaged root.

Dental trauma treatment is another type of endodontic treatment that focuses on treating teeth that have been damaged due to injury or trauma. This may involve repositioning a displaced tooth, stabilizing a loose tooth, or repairing a fractured tooth.

Endodontic treatments are typically performed by an endodontist, who is a dental specialist with extra training in diagnosing and treating issues with the dental pulp and the tissues around the roots of teeth. With the correct care and maintenance, endodontically treated teeth can last your whole life, allowing patients to maintain their natural smile and oral health.

The most common endodontic procedures include root canal therapy, endodontic surgery, and dental trauma treatment.

Root canal therapy is the number one endodontic procedure and treats teeth that have become infected or inflamed due to decay, trauma, or other factors. While receiving a root canal, the endodontist will remove the infected or inflamed pulp from the tooth’s root canal system, clean and shape the canal, and fill it with a biocompatible material to prevent any additional infection.

Endodontic surgery may be necessary in some cases where a root canal is not sufficient to treat the problem. This may involve removing the tip of the tooth’s root or repairing a damaged root. Endodontic surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia and is a minimally invasive procedure.

Dental trauma treatment is another type of endodontic procedure that focuses on treating teeth that have been damaged due to injury or trauma. This may involve repositioning a displaced tooth, stabilizing a loose tooth, or repairing a fractured tooth.

An endodontic procedure, also known as a root canal treatment, is usually required when the dental pulp, which is the sensitive inner tissue of a tooth, becomes infected or damaged. This can happen due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, a broken or cracked tooth, or trauma to the face. The endodontic treatment involves removing the injured or infected pulp, cleaning out and disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and then filling and sealing the tooth to prevent further infection. If left untreated, an infected tooth can cause severe pain, abscesses, and even tooth loss.

The recovery time for endodontic treatment can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure and the individual’s healing process. However, most people can expect to experience some discomfort and sensitivity for a few days to a week after the treatment. It’s imperative to follow the instructions of your dentist for post-treatment care, such as taking any prescribed pain medication and avoiding certain things like hard or chewy foods for several days. If you have any questions and/or concerns and if the pain continues for more than a few days, be sure to contact your dentist. To learn more about what we can do for you or book an appointment online today! We serve patients from all over Santa Clara County CA: San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and Beyond!