Thousands of individuals in the US have to visit the emergency room owing to pain and discomfort in the teeth with California making no exception here. In most cases, an unexplained pain in the tooth can be a sign of endodontic infection, which means the infection in the root canal or dental pulp of your tooth.
However, a specialized dentist in Redlands, CA, can save you from the pain and discomfort of endodontic problems. Let’s explore when you should see an endodontist along with the benefits they offer.
Signs that you should see an endodontist
In case you experience one or more of the following symptoms, consider visiting an endodontist as soon as possible.
- Tooth pain: A sharp and throbbing pain, especially while chewing, can be a sign of an underlying endodontic condition. Initially, the pain may come and disappear on its own, but it may get worse as time passes.
- Tooth decay: Poor oral hygiene can lead to the breakdown of a tooth, i.e. cavity. Cavity can damage the dental pulp and cause inflammation or necrosis in the pulp tissues.
- Tooth sensitivity: A sudden increase in the sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet foods and drinks can also be a sign of an underlying endodontic issue.
- A dental injury: Injuries, like broken, cracked, or knocked out teeth, can also lead to endodontic issues.
- Tooth abscess: In case of a severe dental infection, the bacteria can get inside the tooth or gums, which can lead to pus formation.
Common endodontic procedures
Following are some of the most common endodontic procedures that can alleviate pain, discomfort, and other symptoms due to problems with dental pulp.
- Root canal: The root canal procedure treats the deep cavity in a tooth by replacing the infected dental pulp with a filling. Cavity can cause pain and swelling and can even lead to tooth loss. Root canal treatment has a success rate of about 95%.
- Endodontic retreatment: Endodontic retreatment treats a tooth that previously had a root canal surgery but isn’t healthy anymore. It is usually needed if the initial root canal procedure is incomplete, a new infection shows up, or the tooth cracks or fractures.
- Periradicular surgery: In case a root canal procedure fails and endodontic retreatment isn’t an option, your dentist may go for periradicular surgery to treat the inflammation or infection around the tip of the dental root by making an incision in the gum tissues to remove the infected parts.
- Tooth extraction: A tooth extraction may be needed when the infection has reached an advanced stage and the tissues surrounding the tooth have gone under necrosis.
- Pulp capping: Pulp capping is a preventive measure that your dentist takes to avoid a root canal procedure. They’ll apply a medicated material to the exposed pulp of your tooth to prevent infection from spreading and promote healing.
- Pulpotomy: Pulpotomy is ideal for removing infected pulp from the crown while leaving the root canal pulp intact. After removing the infected pulp, the dentist treats the remaining pulp using medication and seals the tooth with a filling and artificial crown.
Benefits of endodontic procedures
Following are some notable benefits of endodontic procedures.
- The most significant benefit of endodontic treatment is that you get rid of the nagging pain and discomfort caused by the infected gums and teeth.
- Endodontic treatments reduce the chances of severe further infection by removing the infected tissues from inside the teeth and gums.
- Endodontic treatments can help you regain your natural smile and enhance your confidence without having to replace the existing tooth with an artificial one.
- Since endodontic treatments involve anesthesia and don’t require cutting into the gum line, they’re virtually pain-free.
- Endodontic treatments are highly effective and cost-effective when it comes to preserving your natural teeth.
Final takeaway
Endodontic treatments provide excellent solutions to those who seek remedies for dental root and cavity-related problems. Specialized dentists, known as endodontists, can quickly diagnose the underlying issues and help you restore oral health using the targeted procedures.