Endodontics (Root Canals)

Endodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that deals with the complex structures found
inside the teeth. It relates to the tooth pulp, tissues, nerves, and arterioles.

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Endodontics

Endodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that deals with the complex structures found inside the teeth. It relates to the tooth pulp, tissues, nerves, and arterioles.

Contact Us

Signs and symptoms of endodontic problems:

• Tenderness and inflammation in the gums.
– Unexplained pain in the nearby lymph nodes.
• Tenderness when chewing and biting.
– Teeth that are sensitive to hot and cold liquids or foods.
• Tooth discoloration.

Signs and symptoms of endodontic problems:

• Tenderness and inflammation in the gums.
– Unexplained pain in the nearby lymph nodes.
• Tenderness when chewing and biting.
– Teeth that are sensitive to hot and cold liquids or foods.
• Tooth discoloration.

Reasons for endodontic treatment

Endodontic treatment (or root canal therapy) is performed to save the natural tooth. Main causes of inner tooth damage:

1. Bacterial infections – Oral bacteria is the most common cause of endodontic problems. Bacteria invade the tooth pulp through tiny fissures in the teeth that are caused by tooth decay or injury. Then the resulting inflammation and bacterial infection can jeopardize the affected tooth and may cause an abscess to form on it.

2. Injuries – Injuries to the teeth can be caused by an indirect or direct blow to the mouth. Some injuries cause a tooth to become dislodged from its socket. Root canal therapy is often needed after the dentist has successfully stabilized the injured tooth.

3. Avulsed Teeth – If a tooth has been knocked out of the socket, it is important to rinse it and place it back into the socket as quickly as possible. If this is impossible, place the tooth in a special dental solution (available at the pharmacy) or in milk. These steps will keep the tooth moist and alive while emergency dental treatment is sought. The tooth will be secured in its socket using a special splint, and the dentist will then perform root canal therapy to save the tooth.

4. Fractures and chips – When a large part of the surface or crown of the tooth has fractured or broken off, root canal therapy may be required. The removal of the crown portion leaves the pulp exposed, which is very uncomfortable.

Reasons for endodontic treatment

Endodontic treatment (or root canal therapy) is performed to save the natural tooth. Main causes of inner tooth damage:

1. Bacterial infections – Oral bacteria is the most common cause of endodontic problems. Bacteria invade the tooth pulp through tiny fissures in the teeth that are caused by tooth decay or injury. Then the resulting inflammation and bacterial infection can jeopardize the affected tooth and may cause an abscess to form.

2. Injuries – Injuries to the teeth can be caused by an indirect or direct blow to the mouth. Some injuries cause a tooth to become dislodged from its socket. Root canal therapy is often needed after the dentist has successfully stabilized the injured tooth.

3. Avulsed Teeth – If a tooth has been knocked out of the socket, it is important to rinse it and place it back into the socket as quickly as possible. If this is impossible, place the tooth in a special dental solution (available at the pharmacy) or in milk. These steps will keep the tooth moist and alive while emergency dental treatment is sought. The tooth will be secured in its socket using a special splint, and the dentist will then perform root canal therapy to save the tooth.

4. Fractures and chips – When a large part of the surface or crown of the tooth has fractured or broken off, root canal therapy may be required. The removal of the crown portion leaves the pulp exposed, which is very uncomfortable.

What does an endodontic procedure involve?

Initially, a local anesthetic will be administered, and a dental dam (protective sheet) will be placed to ensure that the surgical area remains free of saliva during the procedure. An opening will be created in the surface of the tooth, and the pulp will be completely removed using small handheld files and instruments.

The canal space will then be shaped, cleaned, and filled with gutta-percha. Gutta-percha is a biocompatible material. A temporary filling will be placed to restore functionality to the tooth prior to the permanent restoration procedure. Then a permanent restoration or crown will be placed.

If you have questions or concerns about these endodontic procedures, please contact our office.

What does an endodontic procedure involve?

Initially, a local anesthetic will be administered, and a dental dam (protective sheet) will be placed to ensure that the surgical area remains free of saliva during the procedure. An opening will be created in the surface of the tooth, and the pulp will be completely removed using small handheld files and instruments.

The canal space will then be shaped, cleaned, and filled with gutta-percha. Gutta-percha is a biocompatible material. A temporary filling will be placed to restore functionality to the tooth prior to the permanent restoration procedure. Then a permanent restoration or crown will be placed.

If you have questions or concerns about these endodontic procedures, please contact our office.

Cracked Teeth

Need to Repair your
Cracked Tooth in
North Canton?

Cracked and fractured teeth are common dental problems. As people have their natural teeth longer, the likelihood of cracked teeth increases. There are many reasons why teeth may crack such as biting on hard objects, trauma, grinding and clenching of teeth. All of these behaviors place the teeth under extra strain and make them more likely to crack.

When tooth enamel is cracked, pain can become momentarily unbearable. In the absence of pressure on the crack, there may be no pain. However, as the cracked tooth is used during chewing, the crack becomes larger. The pulp may become exposed, and painful irritation occurs. As pressure is released again, the two parts of the crack come back together, and the pain subsides. However, if left untreated, the pulp becomes irreversibly damaged and constantly painful and sore. The resulting pulp infection can affect the bone and soft tissues surrounding the tooth.

Symptoms of a cracked tooth may include:

• Unexplained pain when eating.
– Sensitivity to warm and cold foods and liquids.
• Difficulty in location the pain.
– Pain with no obvious cause.

What kind of cracks can affect the teeth?

There are many ways in which a tooth can be cracked. In cases where the crack is not too deep, root canal therapy can be performed, and the natural tooth can stay in the mouth. In other situations, the tooth is too badly damaged and needs to be extracted.

How are cracks in the teeth treated?

There are many different types of cracked teeth. Some can only be seen using X-ray machines, while others are clearly visible to the naked eye. In cases where the tooth root is affected, root canal therapy is a great treatment option. The pulp, nerves, and vessels of the tooth will be removed, and then the space will be filled with gutta-percha. A crown or filling will be added to stabilize the tooth, and it will continue to provide function.

When the crack is beyond repair the dentist will perform an extraction. There are a number of restorative procedures in this case, such as bridges, dental implants and partial dentures which can restore biting, chewing, and speaking functions.

Cracked Teeth

Need to Repair your
Cracked Tooth in
North Canton?

Cracked and fractured teeth are common dental problems. As people have their natural teeth longer, the likelihood of cracked teeth increases. There are many reasons why teeth may crack such as biting on hard objects, trauma, grinding and clenching of teeth. All of these behaviors place the teeth under extra strain and make them more likely to crack.

When tooth enamel is cracked, pain can become momentarily unbearable. In the absence of pressure on the crack, there may be no pain. However, as the cracked tooth is used during chewing, the crack becomes larger. The pulp may become exposed, and painful irritation occurs. As pressure is released again, the two parts of the crack come back together, and the pain subsides. However, if left untreated, the pulp becomes irreversibly damaged and constantly painful and sore. The resulting pulp infection can affect the bone and soft tissues surrounding the tooth.

Symptoms of a cracked tooth may include:

• Unexplained pain when eating.
– Sensitivity to warm and cold foods and liquids.
• Difficulty in location the pain.
– Pain with no obvious cause.

What kind of cracks can affect the teeth?

There are many ways in which a tooth can be cracked. In cases where the crack is not too deep, root canal therapy can be performed, and the natural tooth can stay in the mouth. In other situations, the tooth is too badly damaged and needs to be extracted.

How are cracks in the teeth treated?

There are many different types of cracked teeth. Some can only be seen using X-ray machines, while others are clearly visible to the naked eye. In cases where the tooth root is affected, root canal therapy is a great treatment option. The pulp, nerves, and vessels of the tooth will be removed, and then the space will be filled with gutta-percha. A crown or filling will be added to stabilize the tooth, and it will continue to provide function.

When the crack is beyond repair the dentist will perform an extraction. There are a number of restorative procedures in this case, such as bridges, dental implants and partial dentures which can restore biting, chewing, and speaking functions.

Why is root canal retreatment required?

There are a number of reasons why root canal therapy may fail unexpectedly:

• A cracked crown that leaks filling material.
– Curved or narrow canals not treated during the first procedure.
• Delay in the placement of permanent restorations.
– New decay or fracture on the tooth.
• Undetected complex canals.

What does root canal retreatment involve?

Step 1. A local anesthetic will be given.
Step 2. A rubber dam is placed to isolate the tooth.
Step 3. After access is gained to the inside portion of the tooth, the obstructions are removed that block the root canals.
Step 4. The canals are reshaped, cleaned, and refilled with gutta-percha.
Step 5. At a later date, a tooth-colored permanent crown will be made.

Why is root canal retreatment required?

There are a number of reasons why root canal therapy may fail unexpectedly:

• A cracked crown that leaks filling material.
– Curved or narrow canals not treated during the first procedure.
• Delay in the placement of permanent restorations.
– New decay or fracture on the tooth.
• Undetected complex canals.

What does root canal retreatment involve?

Step 1. A local anesthetic will be given.
Step 2. A rubber dam is placed to isolate the tooth.
Step 3. After access is gained to the inside portion of the tooth, the obstructions are removed that block the root canals.
Step 4. The canals are reshaped, cleaned, and refilled with gutta-percha.
Step 5. At a later date, a tooth-colored permanent crown will be made.

Root Canal Retreatment

In rare cases, root canal therapy fails to work as planned. The treated tooth might not heal properly or a patient might experience post-surgical complications that affect the tooth.

Root canal retreatment involves the removal of the previous permanent restoration and packing material, the cleansing of the root canals, and then re-packing the tooth. Thus, root canal retreatment is almost identical to the original procedure, aside from the structural removal. The success rate for a root canal retreatment may be 75%.

Root canal treatments and retreatments can be a good alternative than extraction for most individuals. If a tooth has good bone support, a solid surface and healthy gum tissue, it has a good chance of being saved.

At times, root canal retreatment can be less expensive than the alternatives. Dental implants, extensive bridgework and the creation of esthetically pleasing prosthetic teeth may cost far more than working with the natural tooth. They also require certain maintenance and may feel less natural than a “real” tooth.

Root Canal Retreatment

In rare cases, root canal therapy fails to work as planned. The treated tooth might not heal properly or a patient might experience post-surgical complications that affect the tooth.

Root canal retreatment involves the removal of the previous permanent restoration and packing material, the cleansing of the root canals, and then re-packing the tooth. Thus, root canal retreatment is almost identical to the original procedure, aside from the structural removal. The success rate for a root canal retreatment may be 75%.

Root canal treatments and retreatments can be a good alternative than extraction for most individuals. If a tooth has good bone support, a solid surface and healthy gum tissue, it has a good chance of being saved.

At times, root canal retreatment can be less expensive than the alternatives. Dental implants, extensive bridgework and the creation of esthetically pleasing prosthetic teeth may cost far more than working with the natural tooth. They also require certain maintenance and may feel less natural than a “real” tooth.

If you have any questions or concerns about root canal retreatment, please ask your dentist.

If you have any questions or concerns about root canal re-treatment to regain your beautiful smile, please ask your North Canton dentist.

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