Do you think you might have a tooth infection? An endodontist would most likely recommend root canal treatment to treat an infected tooth, particularly if the infection cannot be treated through antibiotics. This article discusses the root canal treatment process an endodontist would follow to treat the tooth infection.
Root canal treatment involves removing diseased dental pulp in the tooth’s pulp chamber located in the center of the tooth’s root. This is the most common procedure endodontists perform for tooth infection. The following is a step-by-step guide on the general process of a root canal.
Besides the local anesthesia, sedation can also be used for root canal treatment in order to make the patient as comfortable as possible. The endodontist and the patient can decide on the best type of sedation. The two most common types for a root canal are oral sedation and nitrous oxide.
After the anesthetic (and sedation, if used) is administered, the endodontist can access the tooth root, which is usually done by drilling a small hole in the tooth to access the dental pulp where the tooth infection is at its worst.
The next step of a root canal procedure is to remove all of the infected dental pulp inside of the root of the tooth as this is what is causing the discomforting symptoms and the prolonged infection. The endodontist can remove the infected portion of the tooth’s root without affecting the healthy part of the tooth.
Once the infected dental pulp is removed, then the tooth is disinfected and cleaned. This is most commonly done with the use of antibiotic treatment. The tooth is then cleaned entirely to help ensure that no future infections are able to develop.
The endodontist can then fill the tooth to restore its shape and ensure that it is strong enough to last for many more years. The material that is used to fill the tooth is known as gutta-percha. This is a thermoplastic filling that is ideal for filling larger cavities, such as those that are filled during a root canal procedure.
The last step in the process is the placement of a dental crown. A temporary crown may be applied immediately after treatment to protect the tooth initially during the recovery stages. Once the permanent crown is created in the lab and sent back to the endodontist, then the patient can come back in for its placement.
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The symptoms of a tooth infection include tooth pain, tooth sensitivity, swollen gums, gums that are tender to the touch, and other symptoms affecting the tooth and surrounding area. If you experience any of these symptoms, then call our dental office today to set up an appointment with an endodontist.
Request an appointment or call Advanced Endodontic Therapy at 402-506-7111 for an appointment in our Omaha office.
For pain in your teeth, an endodontist is the right person to see for relief. This dentist focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infections that affect the nerve and roots of the tooth. Ignoring tooth pain or putting off an appointment can lead to further problems. To confirm that you have an abscessed…
Dentists often refer patients to an endodontist for root canal therapy to treat issues such as a tooth infection, dental abscess, severe tooth decay, and tooth damage. However, you can also visit an endodontist directly for diagnosis. This article highlights four signs that indicate a potential need for endodontic treatment.An endodontist can treat issues related…
An endodontist is a special kind of dentist who can treat damaged or diseased dental pulp. The pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth which consists of soft tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. An endodontist’s education goes beyond the four-year general dentistry program. The extra training that endodontists complete usually takes two to three…