Many dental procedures can be performed at your dentist’s office. Yet, in certain situations, you’ll be referred to a specialist. If the issue deals with the inner tooth, most likely an endodontist will become involved. Join us as we discuss the types of endodontic services below.
Endodontic services focus on the tooth’s interior, pulp and the tissue around each tooth’s root. Because endodontics is a specialty, only specific procedures classify as endodontics services.
Endodontic Procedures
There are many different endodontic procedures. Each of them involves treating a dental issue involving deep infection, significant pain, or severe injury.
Root Canals
When most people think of endodontic procedures, they think of root canals. It’s easy to see why, as the most common procedure for endodontists are root canals. When an endodontist provides this service, they complete the following steps:
- Drill into the tooth
- Remove infected soft tissue
- Clean the canals in the roots
- Seal the tooth from further infection
Additionally, they may make arrangements for you to get a crown to protect the tooth. A root canal is typically done under local anesthesia and is essentially painless.
Endodontic Retreatment After Endodontics Services
Ideally, a root canal lasts forever. But, unfortunately, there are cases where things go wrong. When that happens, endodontic retreatment could be vital in saving the tooth and giving it a second chance.
You may need retreatment for several reasons. First, there may have been too much time between the initial treatment and the placement of the crown. This could have led to tooth damage which caused infection. Additionally, the tooth’s anatomy may have been more complex than realized, and some tissue may have been left behind. Or possibly, an injury may have led to a cracked tooth or filling, exposing the root and leading to infection.
The retreatment involves removing the crown and root canal filling. Then your endodontist will clean out the tooth again, while looking for additional canals or other unusual features. Finally, they will pack the tooth with more filling, and replace the crown. If there was no crown, a temporary one might be set until the permanent one arrives.
Apicoectomies
In some cases, you may have had a root canal but still experience pain. This could be a sign that the infection is beneath the roots, extending into your jawbone. Your endodontist may recommend an apicoectomy if this is true.
An apicoectomy is a relatively standard procedure in endodontics. It is a minor surgical technique used to save a tooth that is at risk of being pulled after a root canal.
During the procedure, you will be given a local anesthetic. Then your endodontist will make a small incision to gain access to the root of your tooth. They will remove the root tips and any infected tissue. Finally, the endodontist will suture the incision. Over time the jawbone and tissue will heal around the roots.
Endodontics Treat Traumatic Injuries
If you suffer from an injury to your teeth or gums, your treatment will begin with a visit to the hospital emergency room, physician’s office, or regular dentist’s office. Chances are that you’ll be referred to an endodontist, as they are the specialist in this area.
That’s because so many traumatic injuries involve damage to the tooth’s interior, an endodontist’s specialty. This includes cracks, breaks, or loss of teeth due to trauma. Many times specialists can save a tooth after a traumatic injury. First, however, a root canal must be done to ensure that the tooth remains healthy.
Call Access Endodontics Today
If you need an endodontic procedure, feel confident that visiting Access Endodontics is the right decision. Connect with Access Endodontics online or call us at 410.304.7226 to learn more.