An endodontist is a dentist specializing in tooth pain and disease affecting the interior of the tooth. They have completed advanced training, which allows them to diagnose and treat tooth pain. The discomfort is generally a sign that a person may have a damaged or infected tooth. The pain could be due to tooth decay or infection in the tooth or the gums surrounding it.
The teeth have three primary layers: enamel, dentin, and dental pulp. The enamel is the hardest tissue in the body and the most visible part of the tooth. It is the outermost portion and protects the tooth from bacteria. Just beneath the enamel is the middle layer called dentin, which makes up the majority of the tooth’s structure and gives the teeth their color. The innermost layer of the tooth is the dental pulp. Its primary role is to create dentin and supply the tooth with nutrition.
The dental pulp is the part of the tooth that is alive. It consists of specialized cells and connective tissues. Also, it is the only part of the tooth that has nerves and blood vessels. Severe damage to the pulp will cause the tooth to lose its blood and nerve supply.
A cavity caused by poor oral hygiene or crack from injury can expose the pulp. It lets the air and microorganisms and their toxins invade this delicate part of the tooth. When this happens, the pulp nerves get infected and irritated, resulting in tooth pain. The nerve is an extremely sensitive area of the tooth. It can become considerably painful once exposed to bacteria and other adverse stimuli.
Besides pain, an endodontist may also help resolve swelling brought about by an abscessed tooth. Inflammation of the facial tissues is a serious problem that needs immediate endodontic care. The swelling may become tender to the touch. Having an endodontist treat it right away can mean the difference between saving the tooth or having it pulled.
Furthermore, a cracked or diseased tooth can also result in a localized area of infection. This may appear like pimples on the gums. This raised mass of infected areas may burst and drain into the mouth. The pus-filled mass results in a bad odor and taste. This generally indicates that endodontic services are necessary to treat the condition. An endodontist will close the drainage path and ensure that nothing will leak in the patient’s mouth anymore.
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Excruciating tooth pain that persists could be due to an abscess and a dying nerve inside the tooth. In this case, an endodontist may perform root canal therapy to save the tooth. They will remove the infected tissue, clean out the area thoroughly, and seal it up with a rubbery substance. A root canal procedure can provide instant relief from the throbbing tooth pain and prevent the risk of reinfection. The sooner you consult an endodontist for a diagnosis, the less likely your treatment will be invasive.
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Root canal treatment is the most common procedure that an endodontist performs. The process can save a damaged tooth that might otherwise need complete extraction. A root canal treats and preserves millions of teeth each year, according to the American Academy of Endodontists. You may need root canal treatment if imaging tests show damage in…
An endodontist can help to diagnose and treat tooth pain. Toothaches are your body’s way of letting you know something is wrong in your mouth. A minor toothache that goes away on its own is not something to be concerned about, but a toothache that keeps coming back is a clear sign a trip to…
Like a general dentist, an endodontist completed a four-year degree in dental school. This allows the former to perform similar procedures like dental fillings. But endodontists completed education that goes beyond the general dentistry degree program. To become an endodontist, one must undergo two or three more years of advanced training. The focus is on…