Endodontics
If you're in pain due to issues with your tooth's pulp (the inside of the tooth and the root), our endodontics team can help.
About Endodontics
Endodontics is the area of dentistry dealing with the tooth’s pulp and surrounding tissue. Located inside the tooth, the pulp contains nerves, veins, arteries, and lymph tissue. An endodontist is a dentist with advanced training in the treatment and relief of pulp tissues that have become inflamed or infected due to injury or disease.
In addition to providing pain relief, endodontic therapy aims to save the natural tooth whenever possible. By preserving the tooth, endodontic treatment can prevent problems to adjacent teeth that extraction (removing the tooth) can cause, helping maintain dental health and saving you money in the long run.
When damage to the dental pulp is so extensive that the tooth has become infected and is unable to repair itself, the treatment of choice is a root canal. This is the most common procedure endodontists perform. During a root canal, the pulp and nerves of the tooth, as well as bacteria and any decay, are removed. The resulting cavity is sealed off with material that prevents bacteria from re-entering the tooth. Endodontists can also treat root fractures, abscesses, and problematic tooth anatomy.
Endodontic therapy may be needed if:
- Decay is affecting the tooth’s pulp
- An abscess or infection has developed at the root tip or inside the tooth
- Injury or trauma has caused the pulp to die, risking infection.
- The tooth’s root is fractured
- Problematic tooth anatomy is threatening the health of the tooth and/or adjacent teeth
Endodontic treatment generally takes one visit. Your tooth may be sensitive for several days following treatment, but this will diminish as the tooth heals and the inflammation subsides.
Skill and technique on the part of the endodontist are critical for comfort during endodontic treatment. At Hingham Dentistry, our doctors are specialists with years of experience performing endodontic therapy. We will give you care instructions following your appointment, but good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in preserving your oral health following endodontic treatment.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about endodontics or wish to schedule an oral health consultation.