In Greek, endo means “inside” and ondont means “tooth”—this branch of dentistry deals with the inside of the tooth. An endodontist typically performs root canals.
Knowing the anatomy of the tooth helps with the understanding of endodontics. The pulp is the soft tissue under the white enamel and the dentin, a hard layer. As the tooth develops, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue in the pulp help build its hard tissues. Because a mature tooth is nourished by the surrounding tissues, it can survive without the pulp.
Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp contained in the canal of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected—which can be a result of decay, dental procedures on a particular tooth, or cracking or chipping the tooth. If pulp inflammation or infection is left alone, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
Root canal or endodontic treatment may be necessary when the pulp tissue inside the root canals of a tooth becomes infected or damaged, which can be caused by dental trauma or decay. Teeth generally have between one and four root canals and a root canal procedure may be performed on a single root canal or multiple root canals within a tooth.
Regenerative endodontics utilizes biologically-based tissue engineering to help restore tooth canals or immature permanent teeth. Replacing damaged pulp tissue in the tooth root with healthy tissue allows continued healing of the tooth root and surrounding tissue.
Occasionally a tooth that was treated months or years ago may develop new problems. In some cases, a tooth that has been treated endodontically fails to heal or continues to have pain. You may have another chance to save the tooth with a second endodontic procedure.
Sometimes it may become necessary to remove the infected root tips or apex and the nearby tissue to preserve the health of the surrounding teeth and gums. Known as an apical surgery or an apicoectomy, we remove an infection around the apex of the tooth and then seal the root’s tip to help prevent new infections.
Symptoms of a cracked tooth are varied and may include pain when chewing, sensitivity to hot and cold food and drink, pressure sensitivity or a combination of these. Because the pain often comes and goes, it can be very difficult to recognize what is causing the problem.
The blood vessels, nerves, and tissue that keep a tooth healthy and alive are located in the tooth’s pulp, which is protected by the outer enamel and tooth structure. Sometimes the pulp becomes infected and needs to be removed with a pulpotomy. Because this procedure is often performed on deciduous (baby) teeth, it is sometimes referred to as a baby root canal.
Traumatic injuries such as fractured, cracked, or displaced teeth can result in the need for dental treatment. Dental trauma care requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment. Treatments may include a splint, medication, a root canal, or other procedures. Once treated, we will monitor your tooth to ensure it is healing properly and that any injuries or infections are quickly resolved.
Utilizing 3D technology creates more detailed and higher-resolution images with less radiation exposure than a traditional full-mouth x-ray. This quick and painless technology helps our doctors recommend the most conservative treatment for a successful outcome and also help patients avoid costly exploratory procedures and possible unpredictable treatments.
Looking for a practice in the
