What is an Endodontics in Dentistry?
An endodontist is a dental specialist who has specialized in tooth disease, infection, and pain. Most endodontic procedures will involve correcting defects in the deep tissues of a tooth. Although dentists are trained to diagnose endodontic issues, there are instances where they will refer you to an endodontist.
What Procedures Are Done in Endodontics?
Various procedures can be done in endodontic treatment to save a severely damaged or decayed tooth as well as restore a tooth’s functionality. They include:
- Endodontic surgery
Sometimes a root canal is not efficient enough to save a damaged tooth, and endodontic surgery is suggested. This surgery is used to locate hidden canals and small fractures that previously went undetected by x-rays in the initial dental treatment. Endodontic surgery may also be done to treat surrounding tissue bone around a tooth, damaged root surface, and eliminate calcium deposits that sometimes form in the root canals.
Advanced dental technologies like operating microscopes and digital imaging have made endodontic surgical procedures quick, comfortable, and successful. One of the most popular procedures of endodontic surgery is an apicoectomy. This root-end resection procedure is prescribed when infection or inflammation around your tooth’s bony area persists following a root canal treatment.
- Dental implants
Whenever a patient suffers a dental infection or tooth injury, saving the natural tooth is any dentist’s first choice. However, there are cases where, due to severe decay or injury, less can be done to save a tooth, and a dental extraction will best fit. Before a tooth extraction is recommended, your dentist will refer you to an endodontist who will try saving your tooth with root canal therapy. An extraction is scheduled if this endodontic procedure fails to save your tooth.
Your dentist will recommend getting a replacement for the extracted tooth, and dental implants are among the most used restorative options for missing teeth. Getting dental implants at an endodontist’s office near you will restore your bite, allowing you to chew properly.
- Traumatic dental trauma care
Sports or accidental injuries often lead to traumatic oral injuries that can cause minor or major damages. However, irrespective of the injury extent, you will need to have your injured tooth examined by an endodontist or your dentist. This is because, at times, the adjacent teeth suffer an additional injury that can go unnoticed unless a thorough oral exam is done. Endodontists have advanced techniques, technologies, and skills that can help save an injured tooth. The type of treatment suggested by your dental practitioner will depend on the tooth’s location, type, and injury extent.
If you crack or injure your teeth, make sure you see an endodontist right away to raise the chances of saving your dental.
How Long Does It Take to Do a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental restorative procedure that aims to restore a tooth’s root in an effort to preserve the natural tooth. Getting a root canal near you becomes necessary when severe inflammation or bacterial infection develops in the tooth’s pulp (soft tissue inside your teeth found below the dentin layer). The pulp harbors connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels that link a tooth to the gums and jawbone. When tooth pulp becomes infected, it should be treated; or otherwise, you’ll risk losing the tooth and the infection spreading along your gumline to other oral tissues. In addition, since nerve tissues are present, you will likely experience severe dental pain and sensitivity.
Your endodontist or dentist can do the root canal therapeutic process. Although both professionals guarantee high chances of a successful outcome, endodontists are more specialized in providing the service. If you are looking for an endodontist in Katy, TX, who offers root canal therapy, visit Dr. Teeth Dental Care – Katy.
A root canal procedure may need one or two dental appointments to be completed. This will be highly influenced by the specific type of tooth affected and the severity of your tooth’s infection. On average, you are going to spend at least 30 minutes or about one hour at our dentist’s office in Katy for a root canal appointment. However, if the tooth being restored is large and has multiple affected roots, your root canal therapy visit may be an hour and a half long to 3 hours.