A root canal treatment becomes necessary when there is inflammation or infection in the pulp chamber of a tooth. A root canal specialist, otherwise known as an endodontist, is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of the pulp. The pulp consists of the blood vessels and nerve inside a tooth.
Here are four reasons you may need to visit a root canal specialist:
A pulp infection is why it would become necessary to visit a root canal specialist. An infection can lead to inflammation and subsequent damage. When the pulp gets damaged, it breaks down, leading to an increase in the rate of bacteria multiplication within the infected area. The dying pulp eventually turns into an abscess.
At this point, there could be swelling of the face and neck accompanied by severe pain. If the situation is not immediately addressed, the infection could spread to other parts of the mouth. However, if a root canal specialist is consulted early enough, the situation could be remedied before it becomes complicated. A root canal therapy is needed to treat a pulp infection. During the treatment, an endodontist removes the infected pulp, carefully cleans and disinfects the area and fills it with a rubber-like material known as gutta-percha.
The pulp of a tooth can suffer damage due to repeated dental procedures. Patients who have had orthodontic devices such as braces inserted into their teeth more than once may eventually develop complications that lead to the pulp of a tooth being damaged.
Another reason a patient might visit a root canal specialist is a cracked or chipped tooth. There are several factors that may result in cracks or chips. This includes chewing on hard foods, ice and nuts. Also, a crack may develop due to pressure from teeth grinding.
Abrupt changes in the temperature of the mouth — for instance, chewing hot food and trying to cool your mouth with cold water — may lead to a cracked or chipped tooth.
Trauma or accidents also lead to cracked or chipped teeth. When the crack is extensive and extends to the pulp, a root canal treatment is needed to save the tooth.
A damage in the nerve tissue of the tooth is another reason a person may need a root canal treatment. People who have had a dental crown inserted are the most susceptible to nerve damage. Dental crowns are very sensitive to the trauma that can be the result of rough activity or accidents. When such incidents happen, it can have a negative effect on the health of the tooth's nerve. If the tooth's nerve does not recover from the incident, the dental pulp will fail and ultimately die. As a result, a root canal treatment would be required.
Need a root canal treatment? Schedule a consultation with one of our dentists today.
Looking for a root canal specialist near the 95482 area? Call Santa Rosa Endodontics at (707) 409-1177.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Root Canal Treatment in Ukiah, CA.
Regardless of the severity, a cracked tooth requires immediate professional treatment. While minor cracks may only need treatment options like dental bonding, tooth extraction is necessary for severely damaged teeth. However, an endodontist can consider various options that other professionals may not offer. An endodontist usually treats cracked teeth that are too damaged for minor…
When you have an infected or severely damaged tooth, a tooth extraction may seem the only option. However, endodontic therapy offers an alternative. It allows you to save your natural tooth and preserve your smile, avoiding the need for future tooth replacement. This procedure, commonly known as a root canal, is designed to remove infection,…
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Regardless of the severity, a cracked tooth requires immediate professional treatment. While minor cracks may only need treatment options like dental bonding, tooth extraction is necessary for severely damaged teeth. However, an endodontist can consider various options that other professionals may not offer. An endodontist usually treats cracked teeth that are too damaged for minor…
When you have an infected or severely damaged tooth, a tooth extraction may seem the only option. However, endodontic therapy offers an alternative. It allows you to save your natural tooth and preserve your smile, avoiding the need for future tooth replacement. This procedure, commonly known as a root canal, is designed to remove infection,…