If you’re experiencing tooth pain or have a damaged or infected tooth, an endodontist can help. While all dentists have dental training, endodontists specialize in the inner anatomy of the teeth.

Bacteria infects a tooth when it leaks through cracks or breaks in the tooth. Endodontic treatment can save the tooth and relieve the pain.

Root Canals

Over the years, root canals have developed a bad reputation, but modern techniques and anesthetics make them no more painful than a routine filling. In fact, they’re an excellent way to relieve tooth pain and save your natural tooth.

Inside each of your teeth, beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin, is a soft tissue called pulp. Pulp contains blood vessels and nerves, and it helps grow the tooth during development. Once the tooth is fully mature, it can survive without pulp because it’s nourished by tissues surrounding it.

During a root canal, your endodontist creates an opening in the tooth’s crown, then removes the inflamed or infected pulp. Next, they clean and disinfect the space, shape and fill it with a rubbery dental material called gutta-percha, and seal it to keep out bacteria. The tooth is then restored with a filling or crown to prevent reinfection and restore the appearance of your smile.

Endodontic Retreatment

Many teeth that undergo root canal treatment can remain healthy and functional for a lifetime. However, as with any dental treatment, re-infection or a failed root canal can occur. If you experience persistent pain, swelling or sensitivity around a previously treated tooth, it may be time to call a Ballantyne endodontist for retreatment.

Sometimes, a root canal procedure may not be successful due to an undiagnosed or missed canal, curved anatomy, iatrogenic errors during the initial treatment or failure of the original crown or restoration to prevent saliva from contaminating the inside of the tooth. With advanced technology CBCT scanning, your endodontist can identify the cause and proceed with retreatment.

During retreatment, your endodontist will open the tooth to expose the previous root canal filling material and remove it along with any infected tissue. The canals will then be re-shaped, thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and filled and sealed to eliminate bacteria and prevent reinfection. Then, you’ll return to your dentist for a new crown or restoration to protect and restore the tooth to full function.

Cracked Teeth

Many people think of cracked teeth as a problem for older adults, but even young people can experience this issue due to habits like clenching and grinding your teeth or chewing on hard objects. The good news is that if the crack is minor, you may not need any treatment at all. Small cracks in the outer enamel (also called craze lines) are superficial, cause no pain, and can be polished away with your dental professional during your routine appointments.

A cracked tooth that shows more serious signs, such as pain when chewing or sensitivity to hot and cold, requires prompt diagnosis. If the crack extends into the root, you’ll need root canal treatment and a crown to save the tooth. If left untreated, the crack will progressively worsen and may result in tooth loss. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best way to prevent this.

Tooth Pain

Tooth pain is one of the body’s ways of letting us know that something needs to be addressed. Whether sharp and throbbing or dull and achy, this discomfort can make it difficult to chew, concentrate, sleep at night, and live our lives.

While occasional sensitivity to hot or cold may be caused by minor tooth decay, loose fillings, gum recession, or physical trauma, pain that lasts more than 30 seconds could indicate that the inner soft tissue of your tooth, known as the pulp, is damaged. If this is the case, an endodontist can relieve your pain by performing a root canal. This treatment removes the damaged tissue and cleans the area, restoring comfort and preventing infection from spreading.