While many people may believe that endodontists simply perform root canals, they provide a wide range of services that are designed to preserve and protect the overall health of the teeth and gums. This includes:

• Apexification. This procedure is used to stimulate root development in an immature tooth that has suffered trauma or decay. Endodontists use special materials to create a barrier that encourages the growth of healthy root tissue.

• Hemisection. In some cases, a tooth may be too damaged to save with a root canal procedure. In these situations, an endodontist can perform a hemisection, which involves removing one half of the tooth and reinforcing the remaining portion with a crown or bridge.

• Root canal retreatment. If a previous root canal procedure fails, an endodontist can perform a root canal retreatment to remove any remaining infected tissue and restore the tooth to health.

• Treatment of dental infections. Endodontists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of dental infections and can use antibiotics, drainage procedures, and surgical interventions to eliminate the infection and prevent it from spreading.

• Treatment of dental trauma. Endodontists are skilled in the management of dental trauma, such as fractures, cracks, and luxations. They can diagnose and treat these injuries to ensure that the affected teeth are stabilized and protected from further damage.

Endodontists perform a range of procedures aimed at restoring or preserving the health of damaged or infected teeth. Below are some of the procedures that they typically perform:
 
• Root Canal Treatment. This is the most common procedure performed by endodontists and is necessary when the pulp inside a tooth becomes inflamed or infected. During the treatment, the endodontist removes the infected or damaged pulp, cleans the root canal, and seals it with a filling material.

• Apicoectomy. An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure performed when a root canal treatment is unsuccessful. It involves removing the tip of the tooth’s root and any infected tissue around it before sealing the end of the root to prevent further infection.

• Pulpotomy. This involves removing the infected part of the pulp from a baby’s tooth. The endodontist will then cover the remaining healthy pulp with a filling material.

• Root Canal Retreatment. In some cases, a previously performed root canal may fail, leading to the need for retreatment. The endodontist will reopen the tooth, remove the filling material, and examine the root canal to locate and remove any infection or damage. They will then clean and fill the root canal again.

• Dental Trauma Management. Endodontists specialize in managing dental trauma, including cracked, broken, or dislodged teeth. They can perform procedures such as splinting to stabilize the damaged tooth or root canal treatment to save a broken or cracked tooth.

What an endodontic treatment will include will vary depending on the type of endodontic treatment being performed.
 
During the most common type of endodontic treatment, which is a root canal, local anesthesia is administered to numb the area around the infected tooth. An access opening is then made through the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and canals. The endodontist then uses small instruments to remove the damaged or infected pulp tissue from the root canals. The canals are then cleaned and shaped to create space for the filling material.
 
After the canals are cleaned, the endodontist fills them with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This material is used to seal the canals and prevent any further infection or bacteria from entering the tooth.
 
The access opening is then filled with a temporary filling, which will then be replaced with a crown or other dental restoration to protect the tooth and restore its function.

A root canal is required when a tooth’s pulp becomes inflamed or infected.
 
To remedy this, dentists will clean, shape, and disinfect the root canal of the tooth as part of the root canal treatment procedure. This is done to remove the source of the pain, infection, or abscess.
 
In this procedure, the dentist removes the infected pulp and cleans and seals the root canal. By doing this, the dentist ensures that the tooth can be preserved and kept in place.
 
Endodontic treatment, on the other hand, refers to any treatment that affects the innermost parts of the tooth. This could include merely removing damaged pulp or treating an abscess, among other things. These treatments can include root canal therapy, pulpotomy (partial removal of pulp), or pulpectomy (complete removal of pulp).
 
It’s important to remember that not all endodontic treatments involve a root canal procedure, but all root canals are considered endodontic procedures.
 
If you’re looking for endodontic care that you can rely on, contact us at Ideal Endodontics or book online to schedule an appointment with one of our talented specialists. We have convenient locations to serve you in Washington, DC, and Woodbridge, VA. We would be happy to guide you through your dental care so that you can feel confident moving towards the treatment you need. We serve patients from Washington DC, Woodbridge VA, Arlington VA, Lorton VA, Manassas VA, Springfield VA, Alexandria VA, and Silver Spring MD.