Endodontist Houston
When it comes to sensitive procedures such as root canal treatment, what are your options? The first option is to schedule an appointment with your regular dentist, who may be able to perform your root canal. The second (and more likely) option is that you’ll be referred to an endodontist. For those not in the know, anendodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of extreme tooth pain. To become qualified in their field, Houston endodontists must complete an additional two years of dental training. In fact, their training is so specialized that endodontists represent less than three percent of the entire dental profession.

Endodontics is a field of dentistry devoted to the study, treatment and prevention of dental pulp diseases and injuries. The term “endodontics” comes from the Greek roots endo- (meaning “inside”) and odont- (meaning “tooth”). The “inside stuff” of the tooth is the dental pulp that’s connected to blood vessels, tissues and nerves that keep teeth healthy. When this pulp is infected or injured, it can result in gum inflammation and infection.

To find out whether you’re a candidate for endodontic treatment, ask yourself the following questions:

Do I have the required signs and symptoms?

Patients who need endodontic treatment typically exhibit one or more symptoms. These symptoms include tooth pain, sensitivity to heat and cold, gum swelling or tenderness, cracked or chipped teeth, dislodged or discolored teeth. The Houston endodontist is best qualified to diagnose dental pulp injuries or infections and determine the steps needed to heal them. Depending on your particular situation, the Galleria endodontist can save much of the original tooth by removing the infected pulp and adding a natural-looking crown if necessary.

What are the reasons for endodontic treatment?

Many of these symptoms can result from neglecting to exercise regular dental hygiene or from sudden dental trauma. Common causes for endodontic treatment include the following:

Tooth Decay
•    manifests itself as sensitivity to hot or cold foods or sharp pain while chewing
•    results from poor/irregular brushing and flossing, or from a dental pulp infection

Tooth Fractures
•    manifests itself as loose and/or dislodged, includes possible chips and fractures
•    results from sudden trauma to the mouth area caused by a violent blow or accident

Tooth Removals
•    caused by a tooth rotted by decay or loosened during a collision accident
•    requires reinstalling the tooth in the mouth by a trained Houston endodontist

Abscessed Tooth
•    caused by severe tooth decay/gum disease or trauma inflicted to the mouth area
•    requires an endodontist to remove infected or damaged dental pulp

What happens during endodontic treatment?

In this space we’ll discuss a root canal procedure, since it’s the most common form of endodontic treatment. Here’s a brief overview of how the procedure will proceed:

1.    Complete x-rays of the affected area and of the teeth in general are taken.
2.    A local anesthetic is administered to numb pain and relax the patient.
3.    The endodontist creates an opening in the tooth’s surface.
4.    The infected and/or damaged pulp is removed via this opening.
5.    The tooth is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected from the inside.
6.    A material known as gutta-percha is applied to seal off the opening.
7.    A temporary filling is placed over the tooth opening.
8.    In a subsequent visit, a permanent crown or restoration is installed.

We hope this article gives you some valuable information about the endodontic process. For more information, consult with your local dental office or visit us here.