4 Types of Dental Treatment Performed by an Endodontist
Dental problems that concern the dental pulp require the expertise of an endodontist to address the issue. Endodontists are dentists who took up two more years of training to specialize in the study of the interior of the tooth.
They perform various specialized treatments that focus on resolving dental pain, typically caused by tooth decay or a dead tooth. These specialized dentists make sure to stay up-to-date with the latest dental technologies and dental researches to provide better service and treatment to patients of all ages.
If you want to learn more about endodontics, here are four different treatments that they perform to help relieve dental pain or tooth decay:
Treatment #1: Endodontic Retreatment
If your root canal treatment isn’t successful, you would need to undergo a second root canal procedure referred to as endodontic retreatment. However, this type of procedure is needed by only a small population of dental patients.
You will only need to undergo retreatment if you suffer from tooth pain months or years after your first treatment. This is usually because there are hidden canals that need further treatment to fully resolve the problem.
Treatment #2: Pulpotomy
Popularly referred to as the “baby root canal,” pulpotomy is a treatment choice for children who suffer from severe tooth decay. This type of treatment eliminates the diseased pulp and leaves the healthy pulp behind, effectively sterilizing the tooth and allowing it to develop properly..
Treatment #3: Apicoectomy
If the initial root canal treatment isn’t sufficient to fix a diseased tooth, a patient may undergo a type of endodontic surgery called an apicoectomy. This procedure focuses on the apex or tip of the root of a tooth.
Through this surgery, an endodontist can detect hidden canals or fractures, which may be causing tooth pain on the patient. It is done by accessing the tip of the tooth root area through the gums and removing and sealing the root apex as a final step.
Treatment #4: Internal Bleaching
Having dark-colored teeth is a common sign of infection or decay. This discoloration happens internally, meaning it requires more than the usual process of teeth whitening.
The specific type of teeth whitening needed to correct discoloration of infected or dead teeth is called internal bleaching. Through this process, endodontists remove the infected pulp and place a soluble whitening inside the tooth.
Conclusion
Endodontists are specialized dentists who focus on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of the inside of a tooth. They perform specialized treatments to address and resolve various dental issues that concern the patient’s root canal or pulp.
These treatments include endodontic retreatment, pulpotomy, apicoectomy, and internal bleaching. Such treatments help in eliminating or completely eradicating tooth pain that a patient suffers from due to an infection inside the tooth. Basically, a patient who suffers from dental pain or tooth decay should consult an endodontist to address and resolve their dental problem.
Find a dentist in Charlotte, NC today by browsing through our up-to-date directory. Just indicate your preferred location and dental specialization to find the best endodontist near you!
