Most people who have tooth pain will visit their general dentist first. This is always a good choice. The most common causes of tooth pain are cavities and gum disease. A general dentist knows how to treat these problems. When you have ongoing tooth pain and sensitivity to hot and cold, pain while chewing, or an ache that continues, an endodontist will be better able to help you than a general dentist. An endodontist’s specialized training makes them highly skilled at treating dental pain and associated disorders.

A dentist will receive some endodontic training at dental school. Some will do endodontic procedures. Many dentists will refer endodontic work to an endodontist. A dentist is more inclined to refer a patient to an endodontist when the issue has particular challenges, such as difficulty identifying pain or complex anatomy. 
 
When you see an endodontist, your dental history will be reviewed, and a thorough exam will be done that includes testing and diagnostic imaging. Once the problem is identified, a diagnosis can be made and options for treatment can be discussed. If you decide on a treatment, it may be started right away.

The tooth has two major components, the crown, and the root. The crown is the part that you see. The root is what keeps the tooth in place under the gum line. The inner part of the tooth contains a dental pulp that is made up of nerves, blood vessels, and tissues. These can become infected by bacteria if the tooth cracks, decays, or becomes damaged in some way. The infection will cause inflammation, which leads to pain.
 
When the tooth becomes problematic, the infection needs to be removed, or the patient could lose the tooth. A root canal procedure will remove this infection and damaged pulp from the tooth. Specialized tools are used that can reach into the small space. Once the infection is removed, the interior of the tooth is filled with a substance to seal it and strengthen it. This also prevents further infections.

A tooth can develop an abscess caused by an untreated cavity. Cavities don’t go away on their own and can expand until they reach the pulp in the inner part of the tooth. This makes the pulp vulnerable to infection.
 
The normal way an endodontist will treat an abscess is by cleaning out the infection and draining the pus from the inflammation. Many times, the endodontist can save the tooth by doing a root canal. Letting an abscess go untreated can allow the infection to spread to other areas of the body, like the brain or heart. This can lead to life-threatening issues.
 
If you think that you may have an abscessed tooth, here are some symptoms to watch out for:

• A persistent toothache that can be severe and radiates to the neck, jawbone, and ear
• Increased sensitivity to hot and cold
• Tooth pain while chewing
• Swelling in the face, like the cheeks
• A fever
• A bad odor coming from your mouth
• A bad taste in your mouth
• Swollen and tender lymph nodes
• Difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
 
Tooth pain can be an indication of a serious problem and can lead to tooth loss. Keeping your natural teeth is always the best option when treating dental problems. Ideal Endodontics is here to help you get rid of that tooth pain and keep your teeth. If you are having problems with your teeth, give us a call to find out how we can help. We are located at 3102 Golansky Blvd, Suite 101, Woodbridge, VA 22192. For more information, Contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Woodbridge VA, Manassas VA, Dumfries VA, Lorton VA, Springfield VA, and Stafford VA.