What is Endodontic Treatment
Endodontics is the specialty of dentistry that deals with the “inside of the tooth” - the dental pulp, root, nerves and surrounding tissue
As a practice, we work to our strengths and only deal with endodontic problems.
Endodontic therapy is significant because it is designed to save a tooth that otherwise would have to be removed, and in terms of functionality, there is no real substitute for your natural tooth.
The pulp can become damaged due to periodontal disease or as a result of a traumatic injury.
However, the most common reasons for pulp damage are extensive decay or fracture that exposes the pulp to bacteria that stimulate infection.
Endodontic infections whilst often painless can present with pain ranging from mild to excruciating. This can be provoked by a host of factors including hot or cold temperatures on consuming food, biting or tapping the tooth or it may be painful without any encouragement.
Most endodontic treatments are necessary due to an infection of the pulp or ‘root canal’ from bacteria normally present in the mouth, however, there are other common causes for the need of endodontic treatment:
- Tooth decay that has exposed the pulp
- Blow to the tooth or trauma that exposes the pulp
- Repeated dental procedures on a tooth that cause the pulp to die
- As an aid in placing a crown on a badly broken down tooth
- Where medical reasons make extracting a tooth impossible
- Severe sensitivity to hot and cold elements
Timely treatment of infection is usually warranted
Your first appointment at Endodontics Only is generally for one hour.
On your first visit to Endodontics Only, a comprehensive examination will take place with a high powered operating microscope. This examination will determine the source of any discomfort or pain and assess the suitability of the tooth for treatment – this appointment is generally one hour.
Our priority is always timely treatment of infection, and the examination will allow sufficient time to diagnose the source of any infection and commence treatment to relieve pain, before advising the next steps.
Our objective and cost
From here, the cost of treatment is advised and the procedure and prognosis is discussed prior to treatment.
Most endodontic treatments require at least two appointments with the root filling only completed after the infection and/or pain has been resolved.
We also employ the latest techniques and equipment to ensure that treatment is comfortable and, most importantly, successful.
A common misconception is that a root canal is an uncomfortable procedure, when in fact, root canals are similar to having a cavity filled, producing minimal discomfort for the patient.
Endodontic treatment is usually much less expensive than artificial tooth replacement – the cost of an endodontic procedure varies depending on which tooth is affected, and the extent of the damage to the tooth.
Our Procedures
At Endodontics Only we specialise in the following treatments
Please call our office for an evaluation if you experience any of the symptoms above, or require any of our services.
NOTE: If the tooth is severely broken down, or there is a deep crack in the tooth which can develop from biting forces in a weak tooth, endodontic treatment may not be appropriate; please consult your dentist, or call our office to ensure you are given the correct advice.