Teeth are filled with delicate, nerve-rich tissue, making dental injuries some of the most painful injuries a person can experience. At Central Ohio Endodontics, our team specializes in endodontic care and strives to provide you with the professional and pain-free treatment you deserve. Here are a few instances of when to contact an endodontist for treatment.
What is an Endodontist?
The profession of an endodontist is widely unknown, causing many people to assume that any medical professional who works on the mouth is a dentist. In a way, they aren’t wrong. An endodontist is a dentist that specializes in dealing with the inner workings of the teeth, otherwise known as dental pulp. While they specialize on the inside of the teeth, an endodontist can also work on the outside much like a regular dentist. Meaning that all endodontists are dentists, but not all dentists specialize in endodontics. So how do you know when to see a dentist and when to consult with an endodontic specialist?
Consult Central Ohio Endodontics for These Common Dental Injuries
While a dentist is suitable for cleaning your teeth and performing minimal treatments, an endodontist, like the ones at Central Ohio Endodontics, will be able to carry out the procedures necessary to get the inside of your teeth and gums healthy again.
Root Canal
A root canal is a procedure done to treat an infection of the inner pulp of a tooth. Infections are often the result of severe cavities, bad filling work, a cracked tooth, or poor dental habits. While dentists are usually the ones to diagnose an infection of the tooth pulp, they will often refer you to an endodontist for the actual root canal treatment. Endodontists are highly trained in performing root canals and are often even referred to as root canal specialists. They perform a staggering 41,000 root canal treatments daily across the United States. So, If you need a root canal, contact your local endodontic office to schedule a procedure.
Cracked Teeth
Cracked teeth not only look bad, but they can lead to infections and further problems down the road. Depending on the circumstance, a chipped or cracked tooth is generally repaired in one of three ways. The first and most preferred method is by reattaching the piece of the tooth that cracked off. Now while this is ideal, patients usually don’t have the broken portion of their tooth by the time they come in to get it fixed, so we have to resort to one of the other methods of repair. If the patient doesn’t have the broken part of the tooth or can no longer use the piece, an endodontist can mold a piece of tooth-colored filling that will fit where the old portion used to be. And lastly, we can replace the missing piece of tooth with a crown. Repairing a cracked tooth before it has time to become infected is tantamount, and Central Ohio Endodontics has the expertise needed to get the job done.
Root Fracture
A root fracture is a crack or break in the root of the tooth. Due to the placement of this type of fracture, it often goes unnoticed long after the fracture forms. If the fracture goes down into the tooth’s inner pulp, the tooth will need to be removed or repaired to prevent further damage. If left untreated, a root fracture will lead to infection, requiring an endodontist to go in and perform a root canal to disinfect and fill the inside of your tooth.
Dislodged Teeth
Traumatic injuries that directly impact one or more teeth can often lead to them being dislodged or displaced from their original socket. A dislodged tooth is not necessarily an emergency. An endodontist will reposition the tooth in its original socket and stabilize it to prevent it from moving again. Suppose the inside of your tooth becomes damaged or infected as a result of being dislodged. In that case, your endodontist will have to reposition the tooth and perform a root canal to ensure the longevity of the procedure. When teeth become dislodged, it is best to contact an endodontist as soon as possible to minimize further damage.
Central Ohio Endodontics
Failing to treat your teeth after an injury may lead to them becoming infected, bringing a host of other problems with it. Here at Central Ohio Endodontics, we specialize in endodontic procedures to ensure the long-term health of our patient’s teeth. Contact our Worthington, Dublin, or Westerville office today to schedule your first visit and be on your way to a healthier and happier mouth.