Endodontic treatments are valuable dental procedures used to treat and preserve natural teeth that have become infected. The pulp is the living part of the tooth that extends into the root and contains nerve and tissue. When infected, patients can experience pain, swelling and even total tooth loss unless treated in time. With endodontic treatment, the damaged parts of the tooth and the bacterial infection of the root are removed. In some cases, an antibiotic may need to be prescribed to prevent further infection. The organic part of the tooth that remains can be restored using a simple filling or crown (depends the area) that provides a natural appearance and contributes to its normal function.
Many patients associate endodontic treatment with pain and discomfort.
But, local anesthetics and advances in modern dentistry have made endodontic treatment a highly tolerable procedure that is often less comfortable than a filling. Upon completion – a restored tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment will work with the surrounding teeth – and will not be detectable to the average eye. More than 9 out of 10 endodontic treatments in our Perfect Smile Clinic in Lamia are successful and most last for many years or even a lifetime.
Frequent questions
You could be a candidate for endodontic treatment if infection or damage has allowed bacteria to infect the pulp of your tooth. An endodontic treatment may also be the right treatment for you if you prefer to keep as much of your natural tooth as possible, rather than extracting it. For more information about endodontic treatments and whether they are right for you, schedule a dental exam and consult with us as soon as possible.
If you decide to undergo endodontic treatment, the first step of your procedure will involve local anesthetic. Once the root of your tooth is numb, the infected part of the pulp will be removed and the bacterial infection will be treated. The root canals will be sealed and filled before being restored with a crown or filling.
It is normal for the tooth after an endodontic treatment to become inflamed and may cause sensitivity in the first few days after the treatment. However, normal brushing and flossing habits can be resumed immediately after treatment and restoration are complete.
