An endodontist is a dentist who has undergone a minimum of two years of extra postgraduate training. This specialized training allows them to deal with tooth pulp diseases and supporting structures to diagnose and treat facial pain and related problems.

Your general dentist sometimes refers patients for consultation when the diagnosis is complicated or when treatment is more complex than expected. Aside from providing treatment, Dr. Kell's role is also that of an educator. It is crucial that patients understand why they require treatment, what treatment involves, and what they can do to ensure the best possible outcome. Dr. Kell believes that a properly informed patient has the best chance of achieving the optimal result.

What is Endodontics?

Endodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with diseases of the dental pulp and its surrounding structures. Endodontists are dentists with special postgraduate training in this field. They are also experienced at finding the cause of oral and facial pain that has been difficult to diagnose.

General dentists can perform endodontic treatment but often refer complicated cases to an endodontist.

In order to understand endodontic treatment, it helps to know something about tooth anatomy. Teeth have several layers. The outside layer is composed of a hard coating called enamel. Enamel is supported by an inner layer called dentin, which has a soft tissue known as the pulp at its center. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue responsible for forming the surrounding dentin and enamel during tooth development. The pulp receives its nourishment supply from vessels that enter the end of the root. Although the pulp is vital during tooth development, it is not necessary for tooth functioning. The tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it even after the pulp is removed.

Root canal or endodontic therapy has a very high degree of healing (>90%)! The diagnosis of treatment depends on the disease state of the pulp, the condition of the bone surrounding the roots, and the degree of inflammation of the gum at the time of treatment.

Your endodontist will discuss the healing possibilities before any endodontic procedure to help you make an informed decision.

Why would I need Endodontic treatment?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected due to bacteria invasion. The most common reasons for inflammation or infection are deep cavities (caries), repeated dental procedures, and tooth cracks or chips. Trauma can also cause inflammation and often shows up as discoloration of the tooth. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms that might indicate the need for endodontic treatment include:

• Prolonged sensitivity to cold or heat.
• Discoloration of the tooth.
• Swelling or tenderness of the tooth or adjacent gums.
• Sometimes there are no symptoms, and diagnosis can only be made with the aid of x-rays

How Can Endodontic Treatment help me?

Diseased or inflamed pulp will never heal on its own. In the past, the only option available to patients was extraction. The primary goal of endodontists is to save your tooth. The endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the canal system, and then seals the prepared space. Most treatment is now performed in a single appointment ranging from 60-90 minutes (depending on the number of canals). Once treatment is completed, you may be instructed to return to your dentist for permanent reconstruction. The tooth's restoration is an integral part of treatment because it seals the cleaned canals from the oral environment, protects the tooth and restores it to functi

Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?

Toothache pain is the main reason for patients seeking treatment. Fortunately, modern anesthetics can make the procedure pain-free in most cases.

Seeking treatment early makes the procedure more comfortable, so don’t wait.

When caught early, treatment should feel no different than having a regular filling. There may be some sensitivity to biting pressure for the first few days after treatment, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. Sometimes anti-inflammatory medications (like Ibuprofen) are recommended for a day or two.