What Is Endodontic Treatment and Why Would I Need an Endodontic Procedure?

Endodontists are specialized dentists who specifically work with the insides of teeth, so it follows that endodontic treatments deal with the inner workings of the teeth, specifically the pulp. The pulp is the connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerves and is especially important as it dictates the sensation of the tooth and the nutrition and general health of a tooth. Many endodontic treatments involve conditions that often come with some form of tooth pain. For example, infections, tooth abscesses, and cavities are all common cases that an endodontist might see. People are often familiar with the most common endodontic treatment, root canals, a procedure that intends to remove infected, inflamed, or damaged pulp. Several other common treatments besides root canals serve different purposes such as apicoectomy, endodontic retreatment, as well as specific methods for cracked teeth and traumatic dental injuries. Should you ever be in need of endodontic treatment, the experience, skill, and expertise of endodontists leave you in great hands.

As you may know, endodontic procedures deal with the pulp of the tooth and many conditions associated with tooth pain. A root canal is one such procedure that endodontists perform to remove damaged pulp to prevent further damage and potentially fatal circumstances. It is the most common endodontic procedure; however, general dentists often perform root canals as well. For more severe instances, however, it is common for general dentists to refer patients to endodontists with more experience and specialized knowledge. Endodontists also commonly perform apicoectomies, which also serve to remove damaged tissue and avoid pulling teeth. These are commonly referred to as retrograde root canals because it serves a similar function, but they use different techniques and are generally performed when a root canal hasn’t shown the desired results. Furthermore, a prevalent condition that endodontists treat is cracked teeth. Many procedures and treatment options can be done in this case, such as crown installation, endodontic surgery, root canals, and more. Still, it largely depends on the type, location, and severity of said breach. With these being a few of the most common procedures, it is noteworthy that the back molars and premolars are the most common teeth to need endodontic treatment. This is largely dependent on the fact that they are more difficult to clean through brushing and flossing, and therefore, are more susceptible to tooth decay.

There are a variety of reasons one may need to pursue endodontic care. For one, your general dentist may catch irregularities and suspect a more complicated issue involving the insides of a tooth and will likely recommend meeting with an endodontist to then pursue treatment. On another note, there are many symptoms that people often experience and will receive some form of endodontic care for. For example, people experiencing prolonged tooth pain may be indicative of a form of inflammation or infection of the pulp that requires treatment. Cracked teeth are also a very common reason why people pursue endodontic treatment and severe cavities, and other diagnoses may call for similar methods as well. While it can be difficult to determine if you truly need to pursue endodontic care in some instances, meeting with your own general dentist, or speaking with an endodontist is a great place to start receiving the appropriate care.

While the recovery period from an endodontic treatment will not be the same for everyone, certain ranges do appropriately approximate the recovery time. Initially, people will experience swelling, inflammation, pain, tooth sensitivity, and even discoloration following most endodontic treatment. For a root canal, it can take up to 2 weeks to fully heal, but on average, people see full, or near full recovery within 7-10 days. For more intense endodontic procedures, such as an apicoectomy, it can take up to 3 weeks for the gum tissue to fully heal. While this is the case, one can typically get back to performing their regular activities within a few days of the procedure in any case, unless explicitly told.

Our team of dental specialists would be happy to answer any questions that you may have so that you can feel confident about your treatment moving forward. Reach out when you can or book online to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. We serve patients from Dallas TX, Plano TX, Addison TX, Garland TX, Richardson TX, Carrollton TX, and BEYOND!