What is an endodontist?
An endodontist is a highly-skilled specialist. Endodontists specialize in the treatment of severe tooth diseases that mostly affect the tooth pulp (the interior of teeth). They employ innovative procedures to treat dental pulp and root tissues. These doctors work on alleviating your pain while preserving your original tooth.
What is tooth pulp?
The tissue inside of your teeth is called pulp, and it consists of blood vessels, connective tissue, and nerves. The tooth pulp supplies nutrients to your teeth and protects them from potential dangers such as extreme temperatures, cavities, and trauma. It can also regenerate dentin.
Pulpitis is when your dental pulp becomes inflamed. It can be caused by tooth decay (as a result of inadequate dental and gum care) or a broken tooth (an inflamed or infected tooth pulp). In some cases, pulpitis can produce a terrible toothache. It can occasionally progress to a major health concern that needs immediate medical care.
What does an endodontist do?
Endodontists are also known as root canal dentists since they conduct root canal surgery on a regular basis. They also conduct other dental procedures such as fillings and crowns.
Some other procedures they perform include:
- Endodontic retreatment: removing and replacing materials that might not have healed properly from a previous root canal
- Emergency Surgery: repairing complex dental injuries and other tooth-related traumas
- Tooth extraction: pulling a tooth out when it becomes too damaged or diseased
- Endodontic Surgery: specialized surgeries, including an apicoectomy (removing the end, or tip, of a tooth’s root).
What do endodontists treat?
Endodontists normally treat a tooth's interior tissues. They can also treat a tooth's root tissues if said root tissues have undergone extreme damage. This damage can occur from a variety of sources, including tooth decay, tooth abscesses, and even cracked teeth.
Do endodontists test teeth?
Yes, an endodontist can test your teeth. They can do so via tapping on teeth (to gauge how sensitive the teeth are to the tapping), hot or cold swabs (again, testing for sensitivity, and dental x-rays.
What happens after an endodontic procedure?
The duration of recovery time depends on the patient and the type of treatment received. Most endodontic treatments are outpatient operations (you go home shortly after your procedure). Some patients even feel good enough to return to work the same day. More extensive surgery may result in a more prolonged recovery period. To thoroughly safeguard and restore your healed tooth, your endodontist may place a crown (metal or porcelain covering) on top of it.
When would I need to contact an endodontist?
If you have a toothache that won't go away or becomes worse, it's might be time to see an endodontist. The longer you wait to get your tooth analyzed, the less likely it is that your provider will be able to save your natural tooth. Call a trusted dental professional if you have tooth pain that isn't going away or that is getting worse.
Signs you may need to call a professional include swelling near the painful area, sensitivity to heat or cold, unexplained pain in the mouth and/or jaw, and long-lasting tooth pain.
Some causes of tooth pain might be dangerous to your health if left untreated for an extended period of time. If you damage your mouth in an accident or encounter suspected indicators of infection, such as a toothache or dry mouth, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Signs of infection include a fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or redness or swelling in your mouth that moves to your cheeks.