An Endodontist can repair a tooth that has been badly damaged by trauma. Teeth are the strongest part of the body, and they are even stronger than bones. However, teeth have their limits and they will break apart when exposed to trauma.
How an endodontist treats teeth after a traumatic injury
An endodontist is a dentist who focuses on issues that affect the pulp of teeth. How one decides to go about treating a damaged tooth depends on the severity. A tooth with minor damage like a small chip can be easily fixed with a composite resin or a veneer. However, serious damage to a tooth prompts the need for more serious treatments like a root canal or extraction.
Using a root canal to save a damaged tooth
A root canal involves cleaning out the contents of the damaged tooth. The procedure can be used to treat teeth that have been severely damaged by tooth decay or trauma. A root canal can also be used to save a tooth that has been infected.
The procedure often starts with the dentist administering a shot of a local anesthetic. This prevents the patient from feeling pain as the dentist works on the tooth. The endodontist will drill a hole into the patient's tooth, and files are used to clean out the contents of the pulp chamber (where the tooth's nerves and blood vessels are housed) and the teeth roots.
Once the pulp chamber is empty, the area is disinfected and sealed back up. The endodontist might opt to protect the tooth from further damage by covering it up with a crown. A root canal takes about an hour per tooth.
Extraction
Saving a damaged tooth is not always an option. At times, the endodontist might recommend an extraction if they feel the tooth is too damaged to be saved. Extraction is typically performed as a last option to safeguard the patient's health.
An extraction typically starts with the endodontist administering a shot of a local anesthetic. They might opt for a simple or surgical extraction based on the condition of the affected tooth. A simple extraction does not involve any incisions, while an incision is usually made into the patient's gums during surgical extractions.
During an extraction, the endodontist will use a pair of forceps to hold on to the tooth and loosen it. At times, the tooth might need to be cut into several pieces to make extraction easier. Once the affected tooth has been removed, the endodontist will typically replace it with a prosthetic tooth like an implant. In many cases, the implant is inserted the same day a tooth is extracted.
Endodontists save teeth
Many traumatic teeth injuries can be fixed with treatments like root canals and crowns. Saving a tooth is often the best option for most patients since it allows them to avoid needing artificial teeth. Call or visit our Ukiah clinic to learn how our endodontist can save your tooth.
Request an appointment here: https://santarosaendodontics.com or call Santa Rosa Endodontics at (707) 409-1177 for an appointment in our Ukiah office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Endodontist in Ukiah, CA.
Recent Posts
Relieving Pain At An Endodontist Near Me
If you're wondering, "how can I find an endodontist near me?" read on to learn more. Endodontic pain, often caused by tooth trauma or root canal problems, can be disruptive and significantly affect one’s quality of life. The endodontist does the root canal treatment to ease tooth pain. When searching for “an endodontist near me,”…
How An Endodontist Treats Cracked Teeth
Do you have cracked teeth? Read on to learn more about treatment for cracked teeth. Such fractures need the services of an endodontist, a dental professional with many years of experience treating tooth pain and root canals. The American Association of Endodontists points out that timely intervention is important if you wish to save a…
Root Canal Treatment Eliminates Bacteria From Infected Teeth
Endodontists typically recommend root canal treatment as a final effort to save badly damaged or infected teeth. The procedure involves removing soft tissues from the tooth and applying medication to kill any bacteria inside the tooth.The visible part of a tooth comprises three distinct layers: enamel, dentin, and the pulp chamber. A tooth’s enamel is…
How Endodontists Save Teeth And Relieve Discomfort
An endodontist is a dentist who has additional training in diagnosing and treating issues that affect the inner part of the tooth, called the pulp. These dentists often spend most of their time performing procedures like root canals on teeth with damaged pulped chambers. A root canal involves going inside a tooth and removing soft…
