Table of contents
What is Endodontics?
Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on treating the tooth pulp and tissues surrounding the tooth root.
The tooth pulp, also known as the dental pulp, is right in the center of the tooth, within the pulp chamber. It is a collection of soft tissues, including nerves, connective tissues, and blood vessels. The tooth root extends deep into your jawbone and is essential for anchoring the tooth in place.
Endodontic treatment focuses on diagnosing and treating tooth pain, while saving and protecting natural teeth wherever possible.
Who Is an Endodontist?
An endodontist is a dental specialist with training that extends beyond general dentistry. After qualifying as a dentist, an endodontist would spend several years continuing their education and furthering their skills in this specialty.
Endodontists typically use advanced technologies, including microscopic dentistry and digital imaging, when treating patients.
Reasons for Seeing an Endodontist
You might need to see an endodontist if you have any of the following issues.
Tooth Decay
Severe tooth decay can cause a cavity in a tooth that penetrates the dental pulp. When this occurs, bacteria found in dental plaque can enter the pulp, causing infection and inflammation. Eventually, the dental pulp will die.
Endodontic treatment is needed to remove the pulp and restore the tooth.
Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess occurs when bacteria penetrate the pulp and root canals of the tooth, causing a severe and painful infection. The infection can spread from the tooth root out into the surrounding tissues.
A common sign of a tooth abscess is a pimple on the gum nearest the painful tooth, caused by the buildup of pus.
Tooth Injury
If you take a blow to the mouth, it can injure a tooth, causing the dental pulp to become inflamed and swollen. The resulting pressure in the pulp chamber can cause a toothache.
Cracked Tooth
Any injury to tooth enamel, such as a crack or fracture, allows the bacteria to penetrate the tooth, causing infection and inflammation.
Failed Root Canal
Root canal therapy is an extremely effective treatment, but sometimes a retreated tooth can become reinfected. In this case, further treatment from an endodontist is needed to try to remove the infection and save the tooth.
Signs You May Need to See an Endodontist
The most common sign is a toothache, but other symptoms can include:
- Increasing tooth sensitivity, especially to anything hot or cold.
- Swollen, red gums around a tooth.
- Pain when biting down.
Any form of dental pain is a sign that something is wrong, and we would always urge you to seek professional dental care quickly.
Endodontic Treatments & Procedures
Our dental practice provides a range of endodontic treatments that include:
- Root canal therapy.
- Endodontic retreatment for a failed root canal.
- Treatment for cracked or damaged teeth.
We also provide emergency root canal therapy and internal tooth bleaching. Sometimes, a tooth can become discolored after root canal therapy, so bleaching it internally restores its color and appearance.
Technologies Used in Endodontics
NYC Dentistry Center is equipped with the very latest and most advanced technologies. We want our patients to benefit from the very best treatment available.
Digital Imaging
Digital imaging equipment includes X-ray machines and a cone-beam CT scanner. These allow us to diagnose problems, such as tooth infections, quickly and more comfortably. The images produced are clear, enabling us to explain our diagnosis and how a recommended treatment will help.
Dental Microscope
We utilize a high-powered, high-magnification dental microscope, one of the most advanced models available today. Using this equipment ensures we can provide a better treatment outcome, more comfortably and quickly.
Advanced Restoration Materials
After root canal therapy, the treated tooth must be restored. We use the highest quality materials to seal teeth after removing all infected tissues and can provide beautiful, aesthetically pleasing crowns to restore them fully.
Laser Dentistry
Laser therapy can be extremely useful in treating infected teeth, allowing for a high degree of disinfection by using laser energy to sterilize the tooth. We can also use laser dentistry to reshape root canals during root canal therapy.
Benefits of Endodontic Treatment
Benefits of endodontic treatment include:
- Saving your natural teeth.
- Quickly relieving pain and infection.
- Preventing infection from spreading into your jaw or bloodstream.
- Cost-effectiveness, as saving natural teeth is less expensive than replacing them in the longer term.
- Restoring full functionality to your teeth and your ability to chew food in comfort.
FAQs
-
Is Endodontic Treatment Covered by Dental Insurance?
Your dental insurance should cover at least part or all of your treatment, since endodontics is necessary to eliminate a potentially harmful infection in the tooth.
-
How Much Will Endodontic Treatment Cost?
The price depends on the treatment required and the method used to restore the tooth. For example, root canal treatment will likely cost less than treating a reinfection, which is almost certainly much more complex.
We can provide you with a firm quotation after examining your tooth. It will include a detailed breakdown of all costs, and we will explain them to you clearly.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264