What is Endodontic Therapy?

Endodontic therapy, also called root canal treatment, is a procedure in which decayed or infected pulp tissue is cleared from the root canals of a tooth in order to save the tooth from extraction.

If a tooth has a crack or a deep cavity, the exposed pulp tissue can become infected with bacteria, which can cause pain and swelling. Your jawbones will be at risk for injury, and it may cause your overall health to decline. If the infected pulp tissue is not removed, the tooth may have to be extracted.

Signs You May Need Endodontic Therapy

If you have a tooth with infected roots, you may experience:

• Pain when chewing or applying pressure to the tooth

• A severe toothache

• Lingering sensitivity to heat or cold

• Swollen, tender gums around the affected tooth

• New discoloration of the tooth

Endodontic Therapy Procedure

This treatment requires one to three visits to an endodontist or dentist. The endodontist will drill a small hole in your tooth, through which they will remove all the infected pulp tissue from the root canal. Next, the now empty canals will be disinfected and filled with a dental composite. Your endodontist may place a crown over the tooth to protect it from breaking.

Your teeth can still survive without their pulp tissue. The pulp tissue serves to assist in developing a tooth as it grows within your gums. Once a tooth is fully developed, the pulp tissue is no longer needed. Without the pulp tissue, however, the tooth has less structural integrity, which is why the tooth is filled with a dental composite after the root canals are cleared and disinfected. The dental composite restores the tooth’s structural integrity.

After endodontic therapy, take care of your newly saved tooth and all the others by brushing and flossing daily and having your teeth cleaned and examined by your dentist every six months.

If you think you may need endodontic therapy, call Perry Dental & Perry Dental Kids to schedule an appointment.