If you’re experiencing tooth pain, have injured your tooth, are sensitive to hot or cold, and/or there is swelling around the teeth, gums, or your face, make an appointment with an endodontist.

Inflammation or infection of the pulp inside the root canal needs endodontic treatment. A cracked or chipped tooth can cause inflammation or infection if it has deep decay or repeated dental procedures.

General dentists and endodontists both provide dental care, but they do so in different ways. It is the job of an endodontist to perform root canals. In contrast to dentists, endodontists treat tooth pain by cutting, filling, and sealing cavities. Besides root canals, dental treatment alternatives include pulpotomies, pulpectomies, endodontic retreatments, endodontic surgery, tooth extractions, dental implants, bridges, and dentures. Practicing good oral hygiene, going for regular dental checkups, avoiding foods rich in sugar, and avoiding drinks and foods rich in acid and starch can help you avoid root canal treatment and other alternatives.

Endodontists are all dentists, but fewer than three percent of dentists are endodontists. Specialists in endodontics have completed additional training beyond dental school, just as doctors in any other highly specialized field do. They are also trained in diagnosing tooth pain, performing root canal treatment, and performing other procedures related to tooth interiors. It is possible to save a diseased tooth with endodontic treatment in many cases. For this reason, endodontists are considered specialists in saving teeth.

The pulp of a tooth is removed during a root canal. After the root canals are cleaned and disinfected, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and disinfected. As a result, a crown is placed to aid in the restoration of the damaged tooth.

The experience of having a root canal has developed a reputation as being unpleasant. Most of the time, they aren’t more painful than other types of dental procedures. Regardless, there are alternative options to root canals in some cases for those who desire them.

The procedure of direct pulp capping can be used to treat severe damage or decay that exposes the pulp. You may be recommended this option by your dentist as a way to prevent future root canals and tooth extractions.

The pulp is removed during a pulpotomy. When the pulp has been exposed due to decay or damage to the tooth, direct pulp capping can be performed.

A tooth extraction involves removing the entire tooth. In some cases, this procedure is also referred to as tooth pulling.

When teeth are severely decayed or damaged, an extraction may be necessary. In many cases, your dentist determines that this cannot be repaired using other methods, such as root canals.

A root canal usually falls under the category of emergency dentistry. When left untreated, tooth infections can cause serious complications, including the death of the infected tooth. Sepsis, a life-threatening blood infection, can be caused by tooth infections in rare cases.

If possible, a root canal should be used to treat the infection as soon as possible in order to avoid these complications.

The outer tooth is often weakened by a root canal. An outer tooth will crumble if it is not reinforced with a crown after a root canal because a large part of its structure is removed.
 
The teeth at the front of the mouth are not subjected to the stress of chewing and grinding like the molars. This is why they only require a filling after root canals. It may not be necessary to crown a molar that is relatively intact after a root canal. In most cases, a filling will be adequate for restoring a tooth with a healthy structure.
 
Root canals are available at Ideal Endodontics. For more information, please contact us or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Washington DC and Woodbridge VA. We serve patients from Washington DC, Woodbridge VA, Arlington VA, Lorton VA, Manassas VA, Springfield VA, Alexandria VA, and Silver Spring MD.