Endodontics
Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves of the teeth, otherwise known as root canal therapy. Root canals are probably the most dreaded procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to endodontics. When a tooth becomes infected it is usually because the nerve of the tooth has died, and the infected nerves need to be removed. If left untreated an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes bone loss.
"Root canal" has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less "scary". Local anesthetics and proper pain medication allow the procedure to be performed with little to no pain in most cases. There may be some soreness following the procedure, but that is normal for most dental procedures. Over the counter painkillers are usually enough to relieve any pain afterwards, but your dentist may prescribe additional medication. If you are experiencing pain consult our office today.
With proper care, most teeth that have had endodontic (root canal) treatment can last as long as other natural teeth and have a 95% success rate. In some cases, however, a tooth that has received endodontic treatment fails to heal. Occasionally, the tooth becomes painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment.
Related Procedures
Back