An Endodontist can repair a tooth that has been badly damaged by trauma. Teeth are the strongest part of the body, and they are even stronger than bones. However, teeth have their limits and they will break apart when exposed to trauma.
An endodontist is a dentist who focuses on issues that affect the pulp of teeth. How one decides to go about treating a damaged tooth depends on the severity. A tooth with minor damage like a small chip can be easily fixed with a composite resin or a veneer. However, serious damage to a tooth prompts the need for more serious treatments like a root canal or extraction.
A root canal involves cleaning out the contents of the damaged tooth. The procedure can be used to treat teeth that have been severely damaged by tooth decay or trauma. A root canal can also be used to save a tooth that has been infected.
The procedure often starts with the dentist administering a shot of a local anesthetic. This prevents the patient from feeling pain as the dentist works on the tooth. The endodontist will drill a hole into the patient's tooth, and files are used to clean out the contents of the pulp chamber (where the tooth's nerves and blood vessels are housed) and the teeth roots.
Once the pulp chamber is empty, the area is disinfected and sealed back up. The endodontist might opt to protect the tooth from further damage by covering it up with a crown. A root canal takes about an hour per tooth.
Saving a damaged tooth is not always an option. At times, the endodontist might recommend an extraction if they feel the tooth is too damaged to be saved. Extraction is typically performed as a last option to safeguard the patient's health.
An extraction typically starts with the endodontist administering a shot of a local anesthetic. They might opt for a simple or surgical extraction based on the condition of the affected tooth. A simple extraction does not involve any incisions, while an incision is usually made into the patient's gums during surgical extractions.
During an extraction, the endodontist will use a pair of forceps to hold on to the tooth and loosen it. At times, the tooth might need to be cut into several pieces to make extraction easier. Once the affected tooth has been removed, the endodontist will typically replace it with a prosthetic tooth like an implant. In many cases, the implant is inserted the same day a tooth is extracted.
Many traumatic teeth injuries can be fixed with treatments like root canals and crowns. Saving a tooth is often the best option for most patients since it allows them to avoid needing artificial teeth. Call or visit our Ukiah clinic to learn how our endodontist can save your tooth.
Request an appointment here: https://santarosaendodontics.com or call Santa Rosa Endodontics at (707) 409-1177 for an appointment in our Ukiah office.
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