Endodontics

What Is An Endodontist?

An Endodontist is a dentist who has undergone a minimum of 2 years postgraduate training after completion of dental school. Specialist training allows an Endodontist to deal with diseases of the dental pulp and supporting structures.

Your general dentist sometimes refers patients for consultation when the diagnosis is complicated or when treatment is more difficult than normal.

What Is Endodontics?

Endodontics is a specialty of Dentistry that deals with diseases of the dental pulp and its supporting structure. Endodontists are Dentists with special post-graduate training in this field.

Endodontist are also experienced at finding the cause of oral and facial pain that has been difficult to diagnose.

Although General Dentists can perform endodontic treatment, patients are often referred to an Endodontist when the case is complicated or more difficult than usual. In order to understand Endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about the anatomy of a tooth.

The outside layer of the tooth is composed of a hard layer called enamel. Enamel is supported by an inner layer called dentin, which has at its center a soft tissue known as the pulp.

The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue that are responsible for forming the surrounding Dentin and Enamel during tooth development. The pulp receives its nourishment from vessels which enter the end of the root.

Although the pulp is important during development of the tooth, it is not necessary for function of the adult tooth.The tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it even after the pulp is removed.

Why Would I Need Endodontic Treatment?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed and/or infected. The most common reasons for inflammation or infection are caries (decay), repeated dental procedures or cracks or chips. Trauma can also cause inflammation and often shows up as discoloration of the tooth. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain and/or lead to an abscess.

Signs And Symptoms

Indications for treatment include:

Toothache/Dental pain
Loss of sleep due to discomfort
Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
Discoloration of the tooth
Gum swelling/red swollen gums
Gum boil
Abscess
Jaw pain
Throbbing sensation
Pulp exposure due to cap/crown falling off
Tooth infection
Tenderness of the tooth or adjacent gums

Sometimes there are no symptoms and the area of infection is noted by radiographic (x-ray) examination.

How Can Endodontic Treatment Help Me?

The Endodontist provides tooth pain relief by doing root canal treatment/therapy. This includes removing the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleaning and shaping the canal system and then sealing the prepared space in the roots. Often treatment can be performed in a single appointment ranging from 1-2 hours but depending on the tooth, two-visits may be necessary to medicate the space for an extended period of time before sealing the roots. Once root canal treatment is completed, you may be instructed to return to your dentist for a permanent restoration (crown or bonded filling) of the top of the tooth. The restoration of the tooth is an important part of treatment because it seals the root canal filling from the oral environment, protects the tooth from fracture and restores it to function.

Will I Feel Pain During Or After The Procedure?

Toothache pain is the main reason for patients seeking treatment. Fortunately,modern anesthetics can make the procedure pain-free in most cases. Seeking treatment early makes the procedure more comfortable, so don't wait. When caught early, treatment should feel no different than having a regular filling. For the first few days after treatment, there may be some sensitivity to biting pressure, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. If there are no contra-indications, Extra Strength Tylenol and /or Ibuprofen 400-600 mg every four to six hours is recommended for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure. The typical inflammatory response peaks at 48 hours then subsides. Do not be alarmed if you feel your tooth a little more two days later. Your endodontist can prescribe other medications but they are rarely required.