Endodontics: Saving Your Natural Teeth with Root Canal Therapy at Schaefer Dental Group
Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with tissues and structures located inside the tooth. One of the most common endodontic treatments is root canal therapy, a procedure which effectively eases the pain associated with a bacterial infection deep within the pulp of the tooth. Of course, root canal treatment doesn’t just relieve pain—it also stops the infection by removing dead and dying tissue from the tooth’s pulp. Plus, it helps to save the tooth, which is in danger of being lost if left untreated.
Yet root canal therapy isn’t the only treatment endodontics offers. This field also deals with cases of dental trauma, performs microsurgery on the tips of the tooth’s roots, and even helps figure out what’s going on when tooth pain seems to come and go intermittently, or when the pain isn’t localized at one tooth. When it comes to preserving your natural teeth, Schaefer Dental Group in Lansing, Michigan offers specialized endodontic care.
The Inside Story: Anatomy and Problems
What’s inside your teeth? Behind the tough, shiny enamel of the tooth’s visible crown lies the sturdy inner tissue called dentin. At the core of the tooth, inside small, branching chambers called the root canals, we find the soft pulp tissue. This consists of nerves, connective tissues and blood vessels. When problems (such as infection and inflammation) develop in the pulp tissue, your first indication of trouble may be tooth sensitivity—or intense pain. In time, as the nerves die, the pain may go away… but the problem won’t. If left untreated, the end result may be tooth loss.
The “Root” of the Problem (Causes of Pulp Infection)
What could cause the pulp tissue to become diseased and lead to root canal problems? Potential sources of infection include:
- Untreated Tooth Decay: Allows bacteria from the tooth’s surface to work its way deep inside.
- A Crack or Fracture: Offers a pathway for microorganisms to infect the pulp.
- Dental Trauma: From a sports injury, for example, may damage or expose the pulp to infection.
- Extensive Dental Procedures: Such as multiple fillings or restorations on the same tooth.
The Root Canal Treatment Procedure
It’s important to remember that root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain; it relieves pain. A typical procedure is performed with local anesthetics, and doesn’t cause any more discomfort than having a filling. Here’s what to expect:
- You will receive anesthesia (usually a numbing shot).
- A small opening is made in the tooth surface to access the pulp chamber and root canals.
- Tiny instruments are used (often with a microscope) to remove dead and dying tissue from inside the narrow passages.
- These passages are then cleaned, disinfected, and filled with a safe, inert material.
- Finally, the opening in the tooth is sealed to prevent contamination.
Following an endodontic procedure, it may be necessary to have a restoration (such as a crown) placed on the tooth to restore it to full function and aesthetic appearance. After that, with proper care at Schaefer Dental Group, the restored tooth should last for many years.