Endodontists are dentists who have additional training in diagnosing and performing root canal treatment through endodontic therapy (ED)– procedures that involve PULP. Like many medical terms, the word “endodontic” is a Greek term––comes from “endo” (inside) and “odont” meaning Tooth.

What is Root Canal Therapy?

RCT is the last effort to restore a patient’s natural teeth. It is not everyone’s cup of tea, and endodontists can only perform it. RCT may be needed when the patient’s tooth’s pulp is severely infected (as a result of a traumatic injury or untreated tooth decay), and a normal filling cannot cure it.

To perform RCT, a small hole is made in the affected tooth to remove the dead pulp tissue and then replace it with sterile, latex-free, non-pyrogenic biocompatible filler. Later, the tooth is seal against reinfection.

Is RCT Painful?

No, it’s not. The endodontist performs the procedure normally and under local anesthesia, and by using tiny dental instruments ––a microscope–is a must-have.

Despite some myths, RCT rarely causes more than temporary discomfort; yet it relieves the pain of pulp inflammation. The success rate of RCT is about 95 percent—which means saving a patient’s natural tooth that would otherwise be taken out. Since protecting the natural teeth is a primary goal of advanced dentistry, an endodontist is in high demand indeed.

Diagnoses and Treats Pain

Along with performing RCT, an endodontist is a specialist in treating oral pain such as toothaches or fractured teeth, which are often difficult to pinpoint. And when they discover that a tooth becomes decayed, they perform RCT. All dentists got training in ED; however, some tooth pain can be particularly challenging to diagnose or treat and are only refer to endodontic specialists.

Patients should visit an endodontist when they suffer from:

• Tissue inflammation inside the pulp
• Abscess
• Infection

These are commonly caused by:

• Cracks
• Chips
• Deep cavities–– those that were left untreated, allowing the cavity to grow for a long time and spread to the pulp
• Dental traumatic injuries

These conditions may cause the symptoms as follows:

• Sudden and sharp tooth pain, when pressure is placed on the infected tooth
• Tooth discoloration
• A dull ache in the jaw
• Facial pain
• Sensitivity to both hot and cold temperatures
• Tenderness of gums and tooth
• Swelling of gums near the affected tooth

In performing their duties, endodontists carry out different treatments and use several tools, including digital imaging technologies. Moreover, they perform the following procedures.

• Endodontic therapy, aka root canal therapy (RCT)
• Endodontic retreatment––can either be a simple treatment or more aggressive procedure, depends on the person’s medical condition.
• Oral surgery
• Treatment of cracked or damaged teeth
• Treatment of dental trauma

Book Your Appointment Now!

You value your natural teeth. At Orange Family Dental, our specialists perform Root canal therapy to ensure the longevity of your pearly white teeth for the years to come!

If you’re looking for the best endodontist in San Diego, OFD provides instant best services at earliest. For more information about RCT and other endodontic treatment, call us at +(619) 280-4861.