If you have a hole, crack, or chip in your tooth and experience excruciating toothache, a visit to an endodontist may be necessary. Another sign that may require endodontic care is swelling, tenderness, and discoloration of the gums surrounding the damaged tooth. Other symptoms to watch out for are additional swelling around the face or neck and extreme teeth sensitivity to temperature. An abscess forming on the gum area is another manifestation of a problem affecting the tooth’s interior.
Each tooth consists of three layers of dental tissue. These are the enamel, dentin, and dental pulp. The enamel is the outermost shell and is the hardest tissue in the body. The dentin is the middle layer. It is four times softer than the enamel and contains tubules that connect to the nerves. Once exposed to tooth decay or general wear and tear, it can become sensitive and decay much faster than the enamel.
The innermost layer is known as the pulp. It consists of soft connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Sometimes, deep tooth decay or trauma can introduce bacteria to the pulpal tissue. This can affect or even kill the nerves of a healthy tooth. If left without treatment, the unhealthy pulp can result in infection, severe pain, or bone loss.
The pulpal tissue decays when its nerve dies. Necrosis (cell death) produces toxins. Sometimes, these antigenic poisons have nowhere else to go but into the bone supporting the affected tooth. This leads to pressure and severe tooth pain.
Many patients visit an endodontist showing signs of a necrotic tooth nerve. A common complaint is erratic or persistent throbbing tooth pain, especially at night. Another symptom is swelling in the area of bone where the damaged tooth is located. Experiencing pain when the endodontist taps on the damaged tooth is also an indication of a dead nerve.
An endodontist is a dental professional that provides diagnosis and treatment for tooth pain. They specialize in treating infected nerves of a tooth and the areas surrounding the bone that supports the tooth. An endodontist specializes in root canals, aiming to save the natural tooth whenever possible. The procedure involves replacing the injured or diseased dental pulp inside the tooth with a rubber-like filling. The goal is to eliminate pain and restore the tooth’s function.
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There are many steps you can take to prevent root canal infection. The strategies are similar to those for preventing any serious dental issue. These include maintaining good oral hygiene practices by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Using fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles are also advisable. It is also crucial to limit the consumption of highly acidic foods and beverages. Finally, visit an oral health care professional twice a year for a routine checkup.
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An endodontist is a dental professional to visit when you have a tooth abscess. This condition could be why you feel pain around your mouth and jaw, discomfort while chewing, and gum inflammation. These symptoms often occur because the pulp in the tooth's inner layer dies, gets inflamed, and remains untreated. The infection that develops…
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…