Endodontic procedures mainly involve the treatment of the inner part of your tooth called the pulp. The primary purpose of endodontic procedures is to save your tooth. The specialist treats the affected tooth, which negates the need for tooth extraction. The word endodontic is a combination of “endo,” which means inside, and “odont,” which means tooth. All dentists undergo endodontic training, and they are qualified to handle any endodontic procedure. The endodontic procedures involve root canal treatment, apicoectomy (surgical endodontics) and cracked teeth treatment.

Endodontic treatment is a specialized treatment that requires highly qualified dentists to perform. At LA Puente Advanced dentistry, we help patients seeking endodontic procedures in La Puente and the surrounding area for over 20 years. Our team of highly trained dentists is committed to saving your teeth. Give us a call today and book an appointment. Do not hesitate to contact us at any time of the day or night if you or your loved one needs endodontic treatment.

Understanding More About Endodontic Procedures

The primary purpose of the various endodontic procedures is to save your tooth by treating pulp infections and inflammations. The dentists use advanced techniques and equipment to perform the procedure. The specialist aims to treat the condition and save the tooth whenever possible.

Your tooth is made up of three main parts. The enamel, dentin and pulp. The enamel is the hard outer covering. The dentine is underneath the enamel but is not as strong. The pulp is the innermost part of the teeth. It contains the tooth’s nerves, blood cells and other tissues. The pulp plays a vital role in the growth and development of your teeth. It provides the tooth with the nutrients and oxygen necessary for growth. Pulpitis is where your pulp becomes inflamed or infected.

Your pulp can become infected due to a number of reasons. Some of these reasons include tooth decay, a crack or traumatic dental injuries which can lead to pulpited. Pulpitis can cause intense toothache which may require emergency medical attention.

When the pulp becomes infected or inflamed, specialists can save your tooth with endodontic treatment. Some of these treatments include root canal, endodontic retreatment, endodontic retreatment and dental implants.

Understanding More About The Root Canal Procedure

In America, millions of people have undergone root canal treatment. The procedure is the most common endodontic treatment. The treatment relieves you of the pain and also saves your tooth by treating your inner tooth. The tooth has three layers, the enamel, dentin and pulp. The pulp is found in canals which extend from your tooth’s roots to the crown and is critical during the tooth development. However, the pulp isn’t necessary once your tooth is fully formed since the tooth feeds from the surrounding tissue.

You might have the notion that the treatment is painful. That might have been the case before but thanks to technological advancement, the procedure is relatively painless. The specialists use local anesthesia which minimizes the pain thus making the procedure more comfortable. The treatment also saves your tooth and is a far better alternative to tooth extraction. Root canal treatment is highly successful in most cases and your tooth will likely last a lifetime.

During the root canal treatment, the dentist removes the infected or inflamed tissue from inside the tooth. Once the dentist removes the infected pulp, they reshape and disinfect the root canal. Your dentist will then fill the root canal with a substance called gutta percha. The specialist will cover the opening at your tooth’s crown with a filling. The filling protects the tooth from future infection.

  1. Steps The Dentist Follows In The Root Canal Procedure

The procedure requires one or two visits to the dentist. The dentist examines your tooth with an x-ray and then administers a local anesthesia. It takes a few minutes for the anesthesia to take effect. The dentist places a dental dam. The dental dam is a small sheet to protect the tooth from any contamination. The dental dam keeps the tooth free of saliva and keeps it clean. The specialist makes a very small opening through your crown using specialized equipment to gain access to the inner tooth and cleans the pulp and the root canal chambers.

They also shape the root canal chambers to create space for the filling. After the cleaning, the specialist fills the canals with gutta-percha. After the procedure, the dentist places a temporary covering to cover the opening. You will have to return to your dentist for a more permanent tooth restoration.

Due to modern medical equipment and strong anesthesia, the procedure isn’t painful. However, your tooth may become sensitive for a few days after the procedure. Your dentist will recommend drugs to manage the sensitivity. It’s critical to follow your dentist’s instructions after the procedure to ensure the tooth heals properly. Your treated tooth may feel a bit different from the other teeth for a few days. However, should you experience any prolonged pain or sensitivity, you should inform your dentist.

  1. After Care Treatment Of The Treated Tooth

It’s critical to take care of your treated tooth. Great oral hygiene will help it heal faster. You should avoid chewing or biting on hard food until your dentist has permanently restored the tooth. An unrestored tooth breaks and chips off easily. Great oral hygiene includes brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups.

The treated teeth will last as long as your other natural teeth. In rare cases though, the tooth may fail to heal properly or you may continue experiencing pain. If this happens, your dentist can perform the procedure once again to treat the tooth.

Eat soft foods during the recovery period. Avoid hard, very cold or hot foods and drinks which may hurt your teeth.

  1. How Much Does Root Canal Procedure Cost?

The cost of the procedure depends on its complexity and the affected tooth. The fee for treating molars is more since they are more difficult to treat compared to other teeth. Some insurance covers may cover the cost for endodontic procedures.

In most cases, your dentist will restore your extracted tooth. The extraction and restoration of your tooth can be more expensive than the root canal procedure. restoration procedures including dental crowns dn or implants cost more than the root canal procedure.

Understanding More About Endomitotic Surgery

In some cases, a root canal procedure isn’t enough to save your tooth. In such a case, your dentist may recommend endodontic surgery. The surgery may be necessary to treat damaged root surfaces or any surrounding bone. The endodontist can use the procedure to remove any calcium deposits in your tooth’s root canal. Your dentist may recommend the surgery if you have persistent pain and no obvious symptoms are visible on the x-ray. Small fractures in your root may be the cause of the pain. During surgery, the specialists find the cause of the pain and commence with treatment. A root canal usually offers a lasting solution to your teeth problem. However, if the bone around the root of the teeth becomes infected, the dentist may have to perform the surgery.

  1. What Does Endomitotic Surgery Involve?

Under this procedure, the specialist will open your gum tissue near the paining tooth. The small opening allows your dentist to see any underlying issues which may cause the pain. They remove any inflamed or infected tissue and also remove the very end of the root.

The specialist will use a few statues to seal the wound. They may also place a small filling at the end of the root which they cut off. The bone around the root end heals over a period of some months.

Although the procedure may seem invasive, it doesn’t hurt thanks to the local anesthesia. You will feel some discomfort and may also experience some swelling after the procedure. The specialist will recommend the appropriate drugs to manage the swelling and any discomfort. They will also give you postoperative instructions which you should follow to the letter. You should call your dentist if the pain or discomfort doesn’t recede after a while.

  1. Alternative To Endodontic Surgery

The main purpose of endomitotic surgery is to save your tooth. If the specialist can’t save your tooth through the procedure, extraction is the other alternative treatment for pulp inflammation and infection. After the extraction, the dentist can replace the tooth with a dental implant or other restorative material to fill the gap.

Understanding More About Endodontic Retreatment

With proper care, the root canal treatment should last you a lifetime. However, the tooth may not heal properly for one reason or another. The tooth may develop complications or the pain refuses to subside for a long time after the surgery. In such a case, your dentist may recommend endodontic retreatment. The dentist will address the issue with a retreatment and your tooth will have a chance to heal.

Various factors may lead to your tooth not healing as you’d expect after the first endodontic treatment. Some of these factors include the dentists not treating the narrow or curved canals during the initial treatment, there was a delay in placing the replacement after the surgery or saliva contaminated the wound during the operation. The treated tooth can also develop a new complication. Decay can cause a new infection to the treated tooth. The crown can break, loosen or crack which can lead to a new infection.

  1. What Happens During The Procedure?

If you choose retreatment, the specialist will reopen your treated tooth. The reopening will give them access to the root canal filling material. The specialist must disassemble the restorative material to gain access to the root canal. Once they have removed the canal filling, they will conduct a thorough examination of the canals. They will clean the canals and the inside of the tooth while looking for any other symptoms that may require treatment.

After making sure no inflammation or infection is present, the specialist will fill the root canal and seal the opening with a temporary filling. Once the specialist completes the treatment, you will need to visit your dentist as soon as possible for them to place a permanent restoration on your tooth. The permanent restoration protects the tooth from infection. Retreatment is a far better option than losing your tooth through extraction. Retreatment can correct any mistakes that may have occurred during the first procedure.

  1. The Cost Of The Procedure

The cost depends on the complexity of the procedure. The more complicated the procedure the more it will cost. The second treatment is usually more complicated than the first procedure. The dentist may need to remove the restorative material and replace it with new restorative material. The retreatment is usually longer as the specialist has to find any fractures and other causes of the pain. Due to the time and complexity of the procedure, retreatment is usually more expensive than the first treatment.

Using Endodontic Procedures To Treat Traumatic Dental Injuries

You can suffer from traumatic dental injuries through an accident or sports injury. Most of the injuries aren't severe. However, it's possible to dislodge or have your tooth completely knocked out in more severe cases. The treatment of these injuries depends on the severity, type and location of the injury. You need to see your dentist immediately after an injury to your tooth regardless of the extent of the injury. In some cases, the neighboring teeth may also suffer an injury. Sometimes, these injuries can only be discovered through an intense dental examination.

Your dentist can use endodontic procedures to save your cracked, chipped, dislodged or knocked out teeth.

  1. Chipped Or Fractured Teeth

It’s possible for your dentist to repair your chipped or broken teeth. They can do so by reattaching the broken piece or putting a filling to compensate for it. If a large part of your tooth breaks off, the dentist may have to use an artificial crown to restore the tooth.

  1. Dislodged Teeth

An injury can push your tooth sideways, upwards towards its socket or downwards thus dislodging it from its normal position. After such an injury, you should seek immediate dental attention. Your dentist will reposition and stabilize your tooth. In most cases, you will need a root canal to treat the dislodged tooth.

If you are 12 and younger, you may not need the root canal treatment since your teeth are still developing.

  1. Knocked Out Tooth

It's possible to save an utterly knocked-out tooth. But time is critical as you have to see your dentist within thirty minutes from the time of the accident. You should handle your knocked down tooth with extreme care. Do not touch the root of the tooth. The dentist will place the tooth back into its socket and attach a splint that will help stabilize the knocked-out tooth. Your dentist may also discuss other treatment options depending on the healing process.

  1. Root Fracture

An injury can cause a root fracture. Diagnosing a root fracture is more difficult since you can’t feel or see the fracture. The location of the fracture determines the success of the treatment. If the fracture is nearer the root’s tip, the higher the chances of a successful treatment. If the fracture is near the gums, the treatment is more complicated.

How Do Traumatic Injuries Affect Children?

The dentist can restore your child’s chipped or fractured primary teeth. However, dentists don’t advise repositioning dislodged primary teeth as doing so might create more problems for the developing permanent teeth. Similarly, the medical professionals also discourage replanting of knocked out primary teeth in children.

Do You Need To Provide Special Care To The Treated Tooth?

The longevity of the treatment depends on a number of factors. Some of these factors include the nature of the injury, the time difference between the injury and treatment, the care you give the tooth after the treatment and your body’s response to the treatment. It's critical to seek medical advice as soon as your tooth is dislodged or knocked off.

Call A La Puente Dentist Near Me

You may need to undergo an endodontic procedure when your pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation is usually very painful. The causes of the infection or inflation range from deep decay, repeated dental procedures or a crack on the tooth. Physical trauma on the tooth can also cause pulp inflammation.

When your pulp is infected or inflamed it can cause the tooth ache. Your dentist can perform various procedures depending on the condition of the tooth. They may decide to perform a root canal, endodontic surgery or endodontic retreatment. The main purpose of the procedure is to save your natural tooth. You should talk to your dentist as soon as you start noticing symptoms like a toothache or gum swelling. The earlier the treatment, the higher chances of a successful procedure.

If you or your loved one needs endodontic treatment in La Puente, look no further than La Puente Advanced Dentistry. We are a team of highly qualified and specialized dentists with over 20 years of experience. Contact us today at 626-626-7075 for a free consultation.