Endodontic Treatments and Procedures Root Canal Treatment, Endodontic Retreatment, Endodontic Surgery, Traumatic Dental Injuries, Dental Implants. The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the inside of the tooth, then fills and seals the space. Afterwards, you will return to your dentist, who will place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect it and return it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.
Endodontists also perform a procedure called endodontic surgery (also known as apical surgery or apicectomy). During this surgery, the infected root tip (apex) is removed, along with the surrounding tissue. Endodontic surgery is used when a tooth has not responded to root canal treatment or retreatment. In some circumstances, endodontic surgery may be recommended for patients who are not candidates for a root canal procedure.
After your last visit with your endodontist, you should return to your dentist to have a crown or other restoration placed on your tooth to protect it and return it to full working order. After cleaning and shaping the space, the endodontist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. If you have a problem with the nerve inside your tooth, your general dentist may refer you to an endodontist (root canal specialist). After numbing the tooth, the endodontist places a small protective sheet called a dental dam over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure.
Endodontists also have experience in finding the cause of oral and facial pain that has been difficult to diagnose. The most common procedure associated with root canal treatment is root canal treatment, but there are a few other procedures that endodontists also perform. If you think you might have a dental abscess, the endodontist can evaluate the signs and symptoms to determine if this is the case. If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to keep the restoration in place, the dentist or endodontist can place a post inside the tooth.
Because endodontists perform root canal treatments so often, they have the skill, experience, and knowledge to treat complex cases and provide successful endodontic retreatment when a patient who has already undergone root canal treatment undergoes reinfection or requires additional treatment. An endodontist is a highly trained dental professional who solves problems within the tooth using specialized techniques. Like general dentists, endodontists complete dental school, but then receive an additional two to three years of training and education focusing on root canals, dental pulp, and dental pain. General dentists can perform endodontic procedures in conjunction with other dental procedures, but they often refer patients who need endodontic treatment to endodontists.
However, if you have severe pain or pressure, or pain that lasts longer than a few days, call your endodontist. An endodontist is a dentist who has received a minimum of two years of advanced graduate training beyond dental school.
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