The prefix endo- means inside and the word ending -dontics means teeth, so endodontics has to do with treating the inside of teeth. Extensive decay, an accident, fracture, or gum disease can cause a tooth infection and kill a tooth. However, your teeth can be saved using modern endodontic treatment, also called endodontics. With modern dental techniques having endodontic treatment done is no longer a scary experience. Dr. Smith is experienced in performing root canals and he uses several high tech pieces of equipment including a sophisticated sonar-like instrument that finds the exact end of a root.
The Atlanta Dental Group PC also owns several high torque dental handpieces that can be used with titanium root canal files to mechanically and rapidly open a endodontic treatment. This can significantly decease the time necessary to complete this dental work. The inside of a tooth is like the inside of a tootsie pop. Inside every tooth crown is a hollow area that extends into each of the tooth roots. The hollow area in the root is called a canal. Each tooth root is cleaned out, widened, and filled during therapy. It is fortunate for patients that once a tooth is formed, the contents of the tooth roots are not necessary.
At first the dentist deeply numbs the tooth and next creates an entry hole through the top of the crown. The content of the hollow area in the crown and in the tooth root is removed using specially designed files which also widen and flare the canal. Finally, the root is filled with a rubber material called gutta percha.
Endodontic treatment can be unpredictable. There are times even after appropriate initial treatment that a tooth doesn't settle down. Stronger antibiotics and possibly, anti-inflammatory medications may then be necessary. At the Atlanta Dental Group PC we prefer to enter a tooth after a patient has been on antibiotics for 3 to 7 days, however, this can not always be done. Swelling from an infected tooth can also complicate endodontic treatment. Pus around the infected root increases the acid concentration and it may not be able to be numbed well. Again, stronger antibiotics and perhaps, incising and draining the area can help.
About one in twenty root canals requires additional treatment six months after it has been completed. In this case the end of one or more roots remains infected even though the treatment appears adequate.
A tooth becomes very brittle after endodontic treatment and requires restoration with a core build-up and a crown, otherwise the tooth can split. If the split is bad a patient can possibly lose the tooth. This is a lot of dental care for one tooth, so it is much better to avoid needing a root canal by visiting the dentist regularly and finding problems before they get big.
Dental infections can harm the whole body. This makes having needed endodontic treatment performed very important. Many patients are unaware that they have an infected tooth because dental infections are not always painful. Regular visits to a dentist can help detect infected teeth and help improve a patient's overall health.
Years ago the materials used with endodontic treatment often irritated the surrounding bone. This problem has been significantly reduced with the development of biocompatible materials that reduce and often eliminate problems.
There are a lot of myths and unwise tales about endodontic treatment. The truth is, it is usually a comfortable experience and should not be feared. New and effective dental anaesthetics are available that help make therapy as comfortable as most dental procedures. If you need a endodontic treatment and would like to consult with Georgia Dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Smith, please make an appointment by calling 404-874-7428.