Dentistry can be a very complex field. There are a lot of different areas of specialization, including endodontics. If you have any further queries or concerns about endodontic dentistry in Aspen, CO, all you need to do is give us a call.
What is Endodontics?
First and foremost, let’s begin with what endodontics is. This type of dental specialty is concerned with treating and studying the dental pulp, the soft tissue found inside the tooth. The word comes from two Greek words that have been joined together. The first is the word for inside, which is ‘endo,’ and the second is ‘odont,’ which means tooth.
An endodontist is a dentist who has undergone additional training and has extra skills for treating endodontic conditions.
What Sort of Dental Issues Are Treated?
A dentist can treat several different dental issues. A root canal is a standard treatment, which is a procedure that we carry out under local anesthesia.
The purpose of the treatment is to take out the damaged nerve and potentially the interior tooth pulp that is now infected so that your dentist can save the tooth. The dentist will use several tools to remove the infected or inflamed pulp, and then they will clean and disinfect the tooth to prevent further infection.
Once we have disinfected the tooth, the dentist will use a gutta-percha, a material like rubber, which will fill and seal the cavity. After this, we will restore the tooth using a filling or a crown. The natural tooth is now restored and protected over the long term.
Endodontic Re-Treatment
If you’ve already received root canal treatment, you may at some point require re-treatment. Root canal treatment can become diseased or painful after the first treatment. The pain could be because of the complex canal system or because the treatment was not carried out well, to begin with.
Endodontic Surgery
Endodontic surgery is a type of treatment that assists in helping to find hidden canals or minor fractures that have not been detected by prior non-surgical root canal procedures or x-rays. The treatment will help eliminate any deposits or calcium or treat root surfaces that have become damaged and the surrounding bone.
Here are a few of the different endodontic surgeries:
Apicoectomy
After a root canal, if you have inflammation or infection at the root of the tooth, your dentist may recommend an apicoectomy. To remove the infection or inflammation, the dentist will make an incision near the tooth’s root where the dental concern is located. Then, they will remove the inflammation or infection.
Removal of Calcium Deposits
If you have calcium deposits within your tooth’s root that is infected, it cannot be easy to perform a root canal. A calcium deposit forms when your saliva, which contains calcium phosphate, mixes with plaque on your teeth. It is essential to follow a good oral hygiene routine by brushing and flossing twice a day to remove plaque from your teeth. If the calcium deposits harden, they become tartar which can only be removed by a dental professional. Tartar is hard to remove, but it also attracts more bacteria than plaque, increasing your risk of tooth decay and infection.
If you need a root canal and have calcium deposits, it is best to see an endodontist remove it before proceeding with the root canal.
A Deeper Look Into the Tooth’s Roots
Like other exploratory surgeries, your dentist can perform exploratory endodontic surgery if you have continual tooth pain.
During this surgery, your dentist will make a small incision in your gums to examine the soft tissue inside the tooth. Once he locates the source of the pain, he will repair it.
Contact Us Today for More Information
If you need to discuss endodontic dentistry treatments in Aspen, CO, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Dr. Ian Lowella and staff would always be happy to answer any questions you may have.