When a tooth becomes damaged or infected, two potential treatment options include root canal or tooth extraction. Which option is the right choice? How do you know what treatment is best for your oral health? Fully understanding both of these methods, how they work, and when they’re used can help you better determine which option is right for you.
A root canal is an endodontic procedure that eliminates infected tissue and bacteria from inside your tooth and is typically needed if you have an infection or inflammation at the roots of your tooth. However, if you’re not familiar with root canals, you may feel a bit worried about having this procedure done. Is it safe? Is it painful?
Thank you to our colleagues and friends who joined us to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Ballantyne Endodontics! Read the rest of this entry »
Most people associate having a root canal with a lot of pain and discomfort. However, while most people can expect some discomfort during and after a root canal procedure, excessive pain is not normal. Read the rest of this entry »
Your teeth are held in place by roots that extend into your jawbone. Front teeth usually have one root. Other teeth, such as your premolars and molars, have two or more roots. The tip of each root is called the apex. Nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth through the apex, travel through a canal inside the root, and into the pulp chamber, which is inside the crown (the part of the tooth visible in the mouth). Read the rest of this entry »
There are many misconceptions surrounding root canal (endodontic) treatment and whether patients experience root canal pain. The American Association of Endodontists wants you to have accurate information. As always, when considering any medical procedure, you should get as much information as you can about all of your options. Your dentist or endodontist can answer many of your questions, and if you still have concerns, it is often wise to seek a second opinion.
While all endodontists are dentists, less than three percent of dentists are endodontists. Just like a doctor in any other field, endodontists are specialists because they’ve completed an additional two or more years of training beyond dental school. Their additional training focuses on diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal treatment and other procedures relating to the interior of the tooth. In many cases, a diseased tooth can be saved with endodontic treatment. For this reason, endodontists proudly refer to themselves as Specialists in Saving Teeth.
What is a Root Canal?A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.
Have you ever had root canal procedure, with the hope that the pain would be gone for good, only to find that the same tooth bothers you months or years later? Sometimes, even though the nerve is removed from a tooth, it doesn’t heal as anticipated. The discomfort that you feel long after your root canal has healed may be a signal that the tooth needs endodontic retreatment. If this is the case, schedule an appointment with your endodontist for an evaluation, and be sure to ask the following questions.
General dentists are great for those times when you need to have your teeth cleaned or a cavity filled. In some cases though, you’re better off consulting a specialist. Orthodontists, for example, specialize in straightening and aligning the teeth, periodontists focus on the gums and bone, and endodontists focus on endodontics, or issues concerning the roots of the teeth. While general dentists can perform the procedures and treatments offered by specialists, dental specialists have received additional years of training and have decided to focus their practice on treating specific dental conditions.
Here’s a crash course on endodontists and when you may have to visit this specialist.
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