What Is Endodontic Therapy?

It is a dental procedure that treats the insides of damaged or infected teeth. Many people know endodontic therapy as a root canal. However, it is not the only endodontic treatment for restoring teeth. Sometimes, you can undergo a surgery called Apicoectomy that accesses the insides of your teeth from the gum line.

During any endodontic procedure, the goal is to remove the infected soft tissues within a tooth. Therefore, your dentist or endodontist accesses the inner layers through some invasive measures to remove the damaged or infected pulp, clean and disinfect the root canals, and seal the space with a filling material. This process targets the source of pain and infection and allows the tooth to heal.

For such a procedure, you need local anesthesia to numb your mouth beforehand. Further, sometimes dentists employ sedation dentistry to overcome anxiety and help patients sit still during the intricate treatment.

​What Is the Primary Goal of Endodontic Therapy?

If a dentist at Town Crest Dental Clinic recommends an endodontic treatment, it is because you need it to restore your oral health. The primary goal of endodontic therapy is to salvage natural teeth to prevent tooth loss. It is possible if you seek treatment early before the bacterial infection inside can completely damage the tooth structure. Endodontic therapy works to restore teeth when:

1. You have a severe toothache that does not go away
2. You experience pain or sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold foods
3. Your tooth becomes discolored or darkened
4. You experience swelling or tenderness in the gums around a particular tooth
5. You have a cracked or broken tooth
6. You have a recurring pimple-like bump on the gums

​How Does Endodontic Therapy Save A Tooth From Extraction?

Endodontic treatment in Fort Saskatchewan, AB, saves a tooth from extraction by treating the damaged or infected pulp inside the tooth. The pulp Is the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.

When the pulp is damaged or infected, it causes severe pain and sensitivity, potentially leading to a tooth abscess or the spread of the infection to other body parts. Endodontic therapy entails removing the damaged or infected pulp inside the tooth, cleaning and disinfecting the root canals, and sealing the space with a filling material. This process eliminates the source of pain and infection, allowing the tooth to heal.

After the procedure, your dentist in Fort Saskatchewan will restore the tooth’s exterior with a dental crown or filling. The goal is to strengthen and protect it. If you are keen to care for your oral cavity, the tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment can last a lifetime and function like any other natural tooth.

Benefits of Endodontic Therapy

1. Endodontic procedures remove the source of pain, providing relief for patients who may be experiencing severe toothaches or sensitivity.
2. Endodontic therapy can save a natural tooth from extraction, avoiding consequences like teeth shifting and affecting speech and eating.
3. After endodontic dentistry, your tooth can continue to function like the rest of your natural teeth.
4. Endodontic procedures prevent the spread of infection to other teeth and gums.
5. Endodontic treatment is typically less expensive than the cost of extracting a tooth and replacing it with a dental implant or bridge.

Aftercare Tips After Endodontic Therapy

​After Endodontics near you, the following tips can help you maintain your results longer without complications:

1. ​Take prescribed pain medication as directed by your dentist to manage the pain after the procedure.
2. Avoid chewing on the side of the treated tooth until your dentist has fully restored it with a permanent dental filling or crown.
3. Practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice and flossing once daily, paying particular attention to the treated tooth.
4. Avoid hard or sticky foods that may damage or dislodge the temporary filling or crown.
5. Schedule a follow-up appointment with a dentist near you to evaluate the success of the root canal.
6. Wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports to protect your tooth from injury.