Endodontics specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing problems with the soft tissues inside your teeth, called the pulp. With endodontic services such as root canal, apicoectomy, or pulpectomy, you could save teeth that are severely damaged or infected and avoid extractions.
If infections that occur inside the tooth are left untreated, they can cause severe pain, abscesses, or even systemic health problems. Endodontic treatments should address these issues to restore function and comfort to teeth.
General dentists can perform basic endodontic procedures, but most cases require an endodontist’s intervention. At The Hawthorne Dentist, our expertise and advanced technology ensure patients receive quality endodontic services. Our endodontists have undergone extensive training to become experts in preserving natural teeth.
Common Endodontic Procedures
There are several endodontic procedures available to preserve natural teeth. Each procedure addresses a specific dental issue.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy removes infection from the pulp, the innermost part of your tooth. You undergo a root canal if you experience pulp inflammation due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, or cracks in the tooth. Root canal therapy does the following:
- Prevents future microbial invasion in the pulp
- Preserves your natural tooth so you do not lose the ability to chew efficiently
- Protects your oral health
Endodontists perform this procedure in several steps.
They first administer local anesthesia to make the area numb. The dentist places a small sheet to protect the tooth, known as a dental dam, between the tooth and saliva to keep the tooth clean and off of saliva. Then, they drill into the tooth’s crown to reach the pulp chamber. The infected or inflamed pulp is carefully removed using specialized instruments, and the tooth’s interior is cleaned.
After cleaning, the dentist fills the space with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha and places an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canals. They then place a temporary filling to close the opening.
Your dentist removes the temporary filling and returns the tooth to full function by restoring it with a crown or permanent filling in a subsequent visit. This restoration also helps to protect the tooth from fracture.
When chewing or applying pressure, persistent tooth pain indicates that you need a root canal. Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures that still lingers after the stimulus is removed could also be treated by undergoing a root canal.
Other indications include swollen or tender gums near the affected tooth or deep decay or darkening of the gums. In rare cases, an abscess will appear as a small, pimple-like bump on the gums directly near the area of tooth pain.
Endodontic Retreatment
Endodontic retreatment is necessary if a previously treated tooth does not heal or develops new problems such as pain, swelling, or infection. However, this can be due to several factors, including:
- Complex canal structures that were not adequately addressed when the initial treatment was completed
- Delayed placement of a crown or other restoration
- New decay that compromises the tooth’s integrity
When such problems occur, retreatment eliminates these problems and saves your natural tooth. In the retreatment procedure, crowns, fillings, or posts are removed to gain access to the root canals. Your endodontist will carefully remove the existing canal filling materials, clean, disinfect, and inspect the canals for any additional canals or unusual anatomy that may require attention.
Once the canals have been cleaned and shaped, new biocompatible material is placed into them, and the access is sealed with a temporary filling. You must return to the dentist to have a new crown fixed to protect and restore it to full function.
Apicoectomy (Surgical Root End Resection)
An apicoectomy, also called surgical root-end resection, involves removing the tip of a tooth’s root to eradicate persistent infection and allow healing. An apicoectomy is recommended when conventional root canal treatment has failed and re-treating the teeth is impossible or has not solved the problem. This surgery saves your natural tooth and prevents the tooth from being extracted.
During the procedure, your endodontist will make an incision in your gum tissue near the affected tooth to expose the underlying bone and root. They will then remove the inflamed or infected tissue and the root tip. The remaining root canal will then be sealed with a small filling to prevent reinfection. The gum tissue will then be sutured back into place and healed.
Apicoectomies are minor surgical procedures that can be performed on adults and children to save a tooth. An apicoectomy can eliminate discomfort and restore your tooth’s health by addressing infections that do not respond to standard treatments.
Treatment for Traumatic Dental Injuries
A traumatic dental injury can cause you pain and worse tooth loss. Endodontists treat injured teeth, such as fractured or dislodged teeth, to preserve natural teeth and restore oral health.
Immediate action is needed in cases of a knocked-out tooth or avulsion. If you can, put the tooth back into its socket. If not, place it in milk before going to the emergency room. Early intervention can significantly increase your chances of saving the tooth.
If the tooth is fractured, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area and use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Do not use the affected tooth until you see your dentist. These injuries have emergency care options available that deal with them to relieve the pain and prevent any additional complications.
Pulpotomy and Pulpectomy
In pulpotomy, the infected tissue is removed, the area is disinfected, and a biocompatible material is applied to seal the pulp chamber before a protective crown is placed to restore the tooth.
However, a pulpectomy treatment removes the pulp tissue in the crown and the roots. This process ensures no infection can spread to the surrounding structures or become an abscess. The canals are cleaned and disinfected in children’s teeth, and a resorbable material is placed. In adult teeth, the space is filled with a permanent filler. The final step is to put a crown in place to restore the tooth’s structure and function.
These procedures are most commonly performed on children because their primary teeth are essential placeholders for permanent teeth. Deep decay or trauma to a child’s tooth may require specialized treatment to save the tooth and prevent infection from spreading further. Pulpectomy and pulpotomy are among the most common pediatric dental procedures.
Both procedures deal with problems encountered within the tooth’s pulp, but the two operate in different ways.
Signs You May Need Endodontic Treatment
The pulp can become damaged or infected, and symptoms usually appear, including:
- A toothache that does not heal with over-the-counter painkillers
- When tooth sensitivity is experienced after consuming a steaming cup of coffee or a bowl of ice cream, the discomfort continues even after the stimulus has been removed.
- Gums that are red, swollen, or sore to the touch due to inflammation
- When a tooth appears grayish or darker, suggesting that the pulp has died from trauma or prolonged decay.
- Discomfort when biting down or even lightly touching a tooth.
- Having a small bump, known as a dental abscess.
How Endodontic Services Work
Endodontic treatment begins with a diagnosis to help the endodontist locate the source of your discomfort and determine the ideal treatment.
- Digital X-Rays
Endodontists use advanced tools and techniques, such as digital X-rays, to guarantee accuracy in diagnosis. High-resolution images of your teeth and jaw show the inner structures of your teeth and jaw and help show any decay, fractures, or infections that may not be seen during a routine examination. Additionally, this technology lowers radiation exposure versus traditional X-rays and keeps you safe while providing precision.
- 3D Imaging
Another diagnostic technology, 3D imaging, is usually accomplished with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). It provides a three-dimensional cross-section view of the affected area. At this level of detail, an endodontist can see the root canals and the surrounding bone structure from every angle. They can see things you would not otherwise see, such as a small fracture or a minor infection. This gives a much more accurate, confident treatment plan.
- Pulp Vitality Testing
The endodontist uses pulp vitality testing to apply temperature stimuli or a mild electric current to the tooth to see if the pulp inside is alive and responsive. A lack of response usually means the pulp tissue is severely damaged or dead and needs to be dealt with.
After finishing the diagnostic phase, the next step is creating a personalized treatment plan based on your needs. No two patients are alike, nor are their situations or their teeth. What the endodontist considers includes:
- The complexity of your case
- The condition of the surrounding bone
- Your overall dental health
Planning ensures that your treatment is used to fix your immediate problem and helps to preserve long-term oral health.
Endodontic services are designed to preserve natural teeth through precise diagnosis and customized care and alleviate discomfort. The advanced techniques and thoughtful planning reflect a determination to make you as comfortable and ready for recovery as possible throughout the process.
Technology in Endodontics
Advances in technology have revolutionized the field of endodontics, allowing for increased diagnosis accuracy and better treatment results. These innovations have redefined the patient experience, improving comfort during procedures and predictability of outcomes. Examples are:
Microscopes
Endodontists love using microscopes because magnification levels far exceed the human eye. In high resolution, these devices help your endodontist view the smallest details, including microfractures and hidden canals. This clarity of detail allows for the delicate cleaning and shaping of root canals, with no room for residual infection.
The enhanced visualization is helpful in complex cases. The microscope guarantees nothing is missed with a root canal system with unexpected branches or calcified areas. This increases the success rate of procedures and decreases the chances of future complications.
Digital Imaging
Digital imaging has enabled endodontics to reach a new level of diagnostic capabilities. Whereas traditional X-rays give detailed images of teeth and surrounding structures, digital radiography lets you see what is happening in real time. This reduces radiation exposure and provides sharper, more precise visuals that help your endodontist determine what is happening.
Digital imaging gives you the advantage of knowing whether it is a tiny fracture, a hidden canal, or an area of infection close to the tooth root. This technology also provides excellent precision for treatment planning. Your endodontist can also tailor the procedure to your anatomy by visualizing the anatomy of your tooth in three dimensions.
The opportunity to produce digital images minimizes waiting times and facilitates a more interactive consultation. Your endodontist can show you the findings on a monitor so you can know the problem and the proposed solution. This helps create trust and clarity so you know what is happening and feel informed and confident at every step.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy provides a minimally invasive alternative to the traditional techniques. A laser-assisted procedure uses focused light energy to pinpoint and treat affected areas. The precision means far less trauma to the surrounding tissues, lessening the pain and encouraging a faster recovery.
Endodontists commonly use lasers to clean and disinfect root canals and eliminate bacteria and debris more effectively than conventional methods. Lasers penetrate deeply, reaching microscopic areas that are hard to reach with traditional instruments. This means the process will be efficient, lowering the risk of complications or needing retreatment.
Laser therapy also decreases swelling and inflammation after the procedure. The laser cauterizes the tissue it works on, which means less bleeding and less chance of infection. This means a smoother recovery and fewer visits to the dentist for you.
Bioceramic Materials
Bioceramics provide an additional safety net of superior properties and biocompatibility, giving you additional confidence if you have ever worried about the long-term success of an endodontic treatment.
Bioceramic materials are used when your endodontist treats your tooth. These materials are meant to work seamlessly with your body’s natural tissues. They are extremely sealing, so the treated area is protected from bacteria’s reentry. For example, bioceramic sealers are used in a root canal to fill the cleaned canal spaces, forming a nearly impenetrable barrier to future infections.
Besides their sealing abilities, bioceramics are the only materials promoting healing by encouraging tissue regeneration. If your treatment includes repairing an inflamed or damaged tooth, these materials actively support the natural rebuilding of dental structures. Unlike traditional sealers, which may shrink or degrade over time, bioceramic materials remain stable and will preserve the integrity of your treatment for years to come.
These advanced materials mean that procedures are less likely to be complicated or fail, and that helps ease your mind. They are also versatile; therefore, they can be used in complex cases, like teeth with complex anatomy or failed treatments in the past.
Post-Treatment Care and Recovery
Your post-treatment care is directly involved with your recovery process and the long-term success of the treatment. Managing your pain, eating, and attending follow-up appointments is key to a smooth, complication-free recovery.
Pain Management Tips
You should expect to experience some discomfort or mild pain after endodontic treatment. Most of the time, this tenderness is due to inflammation around the healing tissues. Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can ease the pain.
Take this medicine only as directed by your pharmacist. Do not take more or less of it. You can also reduce swelling and numb residual pain by applying a cold compress to the affected area in short intervals. Yet, if you have intense pain or swelling that does not improve within a few days, call your endodontist immediately—that could be a complication.
Eating and Drinking Guidelines
After your procedure, you should not eat until the numbness from the anesthesia wears off in the hours following. This precaution helps prevent you from biting your cheek, tongue, or lip. Eat soft foods that need little chewing, like yogurt, applesauce, or soup, because the treated area is sensitive.
Hard, sticky, or crunchy foods can interfere with the temporary filling or pressure of your healing tooth, so avoid these. Also, do not drink extremely hot or cold beverages, as your teeth will still be sensitive for some time. Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet will support your body’s healing process.
Do Not Overlook Follow-Up Visits
Your follow-up appointment is more than a routine check-in. It is a time for your endodontist to check on the healing process and ensure the treatment is successful. During this visit, your specialist will examine the treated tooth and the surrounding tissue to ensure no infection or ongoing inflammation.
Your dentist will schedule this step if a permanent crown or filling is needed to protect the tooth and restore its functionality and appearance. Failure to go through this crucial stage could result in the tooth’s long-term stability.
Noticing Complications and When to Seek Help
Most patients will recover without complications, but you need to watch for signs of complications. If the pain or swelling does not go away or worsen, or if you develop a fever, an infection is possible.
Likewise, bacteria can reach the tooth if the temporary filling comes out prematurely or feels loose. Call your dentist immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms, such as bad taste in your mouth or sensitivity. Doing so quickly helps avoid further complications and keeps your tooth safe.
Risks and Complications
Although endodontic treatment has a high success rate, it is not without risk. As with any medical procedure, it has complications. Most patients recover completely and relieve symptoms, but you should be aware that rare but possible problems can occur. Realizing these risks will help you deal with them effectively and achieve the best possible outcome.
The Risk of Incomplete Healing
The healing process is sometimes slow, and the treated tooth can still be uncomfortable or sensitive. Such an outcome is usually due to anatomical complexity, such as unusually curved or narrow canals that were difficult to clean thoroughly during the first treatment.
Other factors, such as delayed treatment or damage to surrounding tissue before it occurs, can impede healing. Although incomplete healing is rare, your endodontist will monitor your progress closely through follow-up visits and may recommend corrective measures if needed.
Rare Chance of Infection
Endodontic treatment is designed to eliminate infection, but there is a small chance that bacteria may remain or reenter the treated area. This can happen if the temporary filling comes out or if small, undetected canals are harboring bacteria.
Modern sterilization techniques and advanced imaging have significantly reduced this risk but have not eliminated it. If symptoms such as persistent pain, swelling, or a recurring abscess occur, you know there is an infection, and you should contact a doctor immediately.
If your endodontist believes that your issue cannot be fixed with retreatment, they may refer you to another procedure, such as an apicoectomy.
Managing Treatment Failures
Sometimes, endodontic treatment does not result in permanent relief for some unforeseen reasons. A failed treatment does not mean the tooth is ‘unsavable’ but needs further evaluation and intervention.
Failure can be caused by new decay in the treated area, undiagnosed cracks or fractures in the tooth, or problems with the sealing material used during the procedure. If retreatment is an option, your endodontist will reseal the tooth, remove the previous filling material, and thoroughly clean the canals again. In extreme cases where retreatment is impossible, alternative solutions, such as extraction and replacement, may be considered.
Find a Competent General Dentist Near Me
Endodontic treatments treat infections inside the tooth, like infected pulp or deep decay. These treatments help you avoid more invasive treatments like extractions. These advanced procedures are painless and help restore function so that you can maintain a healthy and confident smile.
If you have tooth pain, sensitivity, or other symptoms, visit an experienced dentist as soon as possible. The problem can worsen if treatment is delayed and more complex and expensive interventions are required.
At The Hawthorne Dentist, we offer personalized, high-quality endodontic services. Our experienced endodontists will help you with every step of the procedure, whether you need routine checkups or advanced treatments. To book your visit, call us at 310-775-2557.
