Most people don’t really understand what an endodontist does until they are referred to one by their general dentist. If you look it up, you might find that an endodontist specializes in treating conditions that affect your tooth pulp and tooth nerves. For many, though, that doesn’t really clear things up, so here is a little more information that will explain the basics of dental health:
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.
If your dentist refers you to an endodontist in Charlotte, it is probably because you have a painful condition that needs a required level of dental care. The most common procedure performed by an endodontist is a non-surgical root canal, but other procedures might include endodontic surgery, endodontic retreatment, or treating cracked teeth and traumatic injuries. You might wonder why your dentist does not perform these procedures. Here’s the thing – they often rely on their professional judgment to determine if your specific dental condition would best benefit from endodontic care.
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.
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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.
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