Top 7 Reasons to Have an Endodontics Treatment
When your tooth’s nerve or pulp is infected or inflamed, your dentist will likely recommend endodontic treatment. The word “Endo” is a Greek word meaning “inside” while “odont” means tooth. Endodontic treatment is a branch of dentistry that deals with issues that affect the teeth inside. Endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy save the tooth by eliminating the infection.
The treatment also relieves the side effects that come along with the infection. These can include severe pain, swelling, sensitivity, an abscess, and sore gums. A root canal treatment also stops the infection from spreading. If untreated, the infection can infect the tooth’s roots, eventually leading to tooth loss. It can infect the surrounding teeth, gum tissues, and jawbone in worse cases.
Endodontic treatment procedure
According to the American Association of Endodontists, approximately 22.3 million endodontic treatments are completed each year. To know whether you qualify for the treatment, visit a dental clinic near you for an exam. The dentist will examine your tooth’s condition and decide whether you can benefit from the treatment. If your tooth is severely decayed or damaged, an extraction is the only effective remedy.
The endodontist injects an anesthetic to make you comfortable during treatment. Next, they drill through the tooth to access the pulp chamber. The infected and decayed tissues and nerves are removed and the tooth cleaned. The tooth is then rinsed and disinfected using irritation solutions to prevent re-infection. Next, the dentist fills the tooth and places a crown to provide more strength and protection.
Reasons to seek endodontic treatments.
If you’re wondering how endodontics treatment can help you, below are seven common reasons.
- Deep decay
Tooth decay results from bacterial infection. When the bacteria in the mouth overgrow, they release harmful acids to the tooth, eroding its enamel and causing cavities. When bacterial infection finds its way inside the tooth, it infects the pulp tissues and nerves. If your dentist has diagnosed you with tooth decay, getting an endodontic treatment is the only way to save your tooth.
- Chipped or cracked tooth
Through tooth chips, cracks, and fractures, harmful bacteria can get to a tooth’s pulp. Thankfully, you can repair the damage with dental procedures such as dental bonding, fillings, inlays, or crowns. Before performing these procedures, the dentist may use endodontic treatments such as a root canal to clean and remove any bacteria or damaged tissue from the tooth.
- Severe and persistent pain
Teeth pain is common and can typically happen by applying too much pressure, especially when chewing. However, if the pain is severe and continuous, even when pressure is hardly applied, it could indicate your tooth is decayed. While there are other causes of pain, visiting an endodontist is essential to identify the underlying issue.
- Increased tooth and gum sensitivity
If your tooth or gum tissue reacts (abnormally) on touch or when you consume something hot or cold, then you might need endodontic treatment. Usually, bacterial infection can affect the tooth’s nerve, causing intense pain. The bacteria infection can spread to the gums or bone, in worse cases, causing intense pain and sensitivity.
- Swelling and drainage of gums
If you notice any swelling or drainage around any tooth, then most probably the tooth is infected, and you might need an endodontist treatment. The infection can spread to the roots, gums, and jawbone if the tooth is infected, causing swelling and drainage.
- Abnormal discoloration
Teeth discoloration results from tobacco, coffee, tea, wine, dental trauma, poor dental hygiene, and tooth decay. If you only have discoloration on one tooth, it could mean internal damage such as tooth decay, and you might need endodontic treatment. Such a tooth won’t respond to whitening methods such as bleaching.
- Dental abscess
Do you have a sore around the tooth’s roots? An infection causes a tooth abscess, and it is excruciating. Seek endodontics near you to treat the symptom and underlying condition.
Final Verdict
Having any of the above symptoms doesn’t always mean that you need endodontic treatments. However, it’s best to seek a professional diagnosis to determine the underlying issue and treatment solution. For more information about endodontic treatments, contact daily DENTAL & bracesbar.