Endodontic Therapy

The area of dentistry known as endodontics deals with the dental pulp and the tissues that enclose a tooth's roots. Greek words "endo" and "odont" are used to denote "inside" and "tooth," respectively. Moreover, the best endodontic therapy can treat the delicate pulp tissue inside the tooth. This process is often known as root canal therapy. A dentist with a focus on tooth preservation is known as an endodontist.

What Does Endodontic Therapy Mean?

The branch of dentistry known as endodontics focuses on the "interior of the tooth," including the dental pulp, root, nerves, and surrounding structures. Because endodontic therapy aims to save teeth that might otherwise need to be extracted, it is important. As is well knowledge, there is no actual functional alternative to a natural tooth. Therefore, root canal therapy is quite essential.

A traumatic injury or periodontitis are two conditions that can cause pulp damage. However, significant decay or fractures that expose the pulp to germs that promote infection are the most frequent causes of pulp injury. This is where the best Shoreline dentist can save your teeth with the best endodontic treatments.

What Does Endodontic Therapy Include?

While endodontic infections are frequently asymptomatic, they can occasionally cause moderate to severe discomfort. Numerous things, such as eating hot or cold food, biting, touching the tooth, or even feeling pain without any provocation, might cause this.

The majority of endodontic therapies are necessary due to an infection of the pulp or "root canal" caused by bacteria that are often found in the mouth, although there are other frequent reasons as well:

  • Decayed teeth that have pulp exposure
  • Damage to the tooth or injury that makes the pulp visible
  • Dentistry operations carried out repeatedly on a tooth that kills the pulp
  • Severely damaged tooth
  • Extreme sensitivity to heat and cold

Endodontic therapy includes several procedures, including removing pulpal tissue, contouring, and filing of the root canals, obturation of the root canal area, and placement of a long-lasting dental restoration. When no more issues have been found, it may be suitable for some patients to complete each stage in order.

Eliminating caries and pulpal tissue, accompanied by basic filing and shape and insertion of a temporary, sedative repair, is suitable for patients with numerous deep secondary caries or pulpal discomfort.

A Shoreline dentist may finish endodontic therapy if a certain level of disease control has been established. If at all feasible, a dentist in Shoreline will place durable restorations for teeth that have had endodontic treatment before those for teeth that are crucial to oral health.

Our staff will conduct a thorough inspection with a powerful operating microscope during your initial visit to our clinic. This evaluation will identify the cause of any discomfort or pain and establish if we can successfully treat the tooth. Usually, this visit lasts about an hour.

Our first focus is always the prompt treatment of infections. The examination will provide enough time to identify the cause of infections and start the necessary pain relief measures before recommending the next course of action.

How Can Root Canal Therapy Save Your Teeth?

People are frequently anxious and uncomfortable when they see a dentist in Shoreline. They might be infected or have swollen or decayed teeth. Endodontic treatment aims to treat discomfort and infection so patients can keep their teeth. The choices in the past included extracting the teeth and replacing them with prostheses, bridges, or, more recently, implants. However, saving teeth is a considerably more economical therapy. Damaged nerves are treated, and pulp is removed to clean the teeth of infection and restore their health.

There are situations when a Shoreline dentist cannot treat a bone infection with traditional methods or through teeth-based root canal therapy. Therefore, in these situations, the dentist will do surgery. The best dentist in Shoreline will raise the gum and remove a small amount of bone to clear up the infection and prevent tooth loss. This is an excellent, economical method of solving issues and should add decades to a tooth's lifespan.

How Often Do Patients Feel Pain During Root Canal Therapy?

One dental misconception is that endodontic therapy is excruciatingly painful, even if this isn't true. It should be a relatively pleasant treatment if performed correctly and with an excellent anesthetic.

People frequently hear from friends or well-meaning coworkers that this is an extremely painful procedure, but in reality, this is because of inadequate anesthetic methods. Certain teeth are extremely challenging to anesthetize (such as lower molars that are quite inflammatory), but once anesthetized, endodontic therapy should be as pleasant as any other dental operation.

Sometimes operations can last for quite a while, and patients frequently nod off during this period. Additionally, a Shoreline dentist might administer solutions such as various sedatives to really anxious persons.

Our trained dental staff makes every effort to keep the patient at ease during the process and ensure that our endodontic therapy sessions are as painless as possible. However, because this would be detrimental to any therapy, patients are often not in pain when undergoing endodontic surgery. Additionally, no Shoreline dentist wants their patient to endure any pain. Therefore, using a calm demeanor and thoroughly describing the root canal therapy assist.

What Is the Recovery Process for Endodontic Therapy?

Your mouth will be sensitive for a few hours following root canal therapy. Most people can resume their jobs, studies, or other activities immediately. You might wish to hold off on eating until the numbness subsides.

The tooth may feel little sensitive for the first few days after a root canal is finished due to tissue inflammation, particularly if discomfort or infection exists before the operation. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen can help with this.

Dr. Eric Yao's endodontic therapy is among the topmost options in the region. We can take care of any infections and dental pulp without issues. Moreover, our dental staff is well-trained in the art of offering painless root canal therapy while putting our patients at ease during the operation. We offer a welcoming atmosphere for patients and ensure their trip is pleasant. Don’t hesitate to contact us today!