What is endodontics?

Unless you’ve needed a specialty dental procedure in the past, you probably haven’t heard of endodontics. So what is endodontics, and when might you need an endodontic procedure?

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerning dental pulp and tissues surrounding the roots of a tooth. “Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.” Dentists who are trained in endodontics, like Dr. John Dougherty go through additional training and take continued education that focuses solely on the study of the dental pulp, and the treatments and procedures, such as root canals needed to keep gums and teeth healthy

The goal of endodontic treatments is to help you maintain a healthy, natural smile. Through endodontic treatment of the inside of the tooth, the dentist can help save a diseased tooth that would ordinarily need to be pulled.

Many people get fidgety just from hearing the word root canal, but often it is the only way to relieve severe tooth pain and treat infection, while saving the tooth. If infection is left untreated, not only can it continue to be extremely painful, the infection can spread from inside the tooth to the jawbone and can cause more serious problems including an abscess, bone density loss, and eventually, tooth loss.

During a root canal, the diseased inner tooth material is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned and treated, and then the tooth is sealed up to prevent further infection in the future. The procedure has a very high degree of success, up to 90%, and can help relieve your pain and keep your smile healthy and beautiful.

In addition to root canals, other endodontic procedures include apexification, which stimulates a tooth to continue to grow in a child that has suffered a traumatic incident, like a fall, that causes growth to stop. Doctors with training in endodontics also perform endodontic surgery and are specially trained to diagnose the cause of tooth pain, and put together treatment plans for tricky or specialized cases. In more extreme cases, Dr. Dougherty and Dr. Adhikari may recommend a patient consult with an endodontist if the issue requires surgery.

If you are taking care of your teeth and gums with regular brushing, flossing and dental check-ups, you are taking steps that will reduce the chances of ever needing an endodontic treatment, but if you ever find yourself with severe tooth pain, you will be glad to have a dentist with training and experience in this area

At Artistic Dental, we are proud to be able to offer endodontic services in house, as well as cosmetic and family dentistry, and orthodontics. If you are experiencing tooth pain, or have questions about a dental procedure, call and make an appointment today!