What is the most common endodontic procedure?

Endodontists are dentists who specialize in problems that relate to the interior of the tooth, such as diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canals. Only 3% of dentists go on to become endodontists, doing several years of additional training after dental school to learn procedures that save diseased teeth.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the most common procedures performed by endodontists.

Root Canals

Root canals typically need to be performed when there is an issue inside the root of the tooth, such as inflammation or infection. Because such an issue can cause discomfort and even severe dental pain, endodontists perform a root canal to remove the diseased nerve of the tooth, which is called the pulp.  

After the pulp is removed, the endodontist cleans and disinfects the root canals and then fills the space with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.

After the root canal is completed, you should make an appointment with your general dentist for a final filling or crown to restore the tooth’s full function.

Endodontic Retreatment

While in an ideal world, a root canal would last a lifetime, issues can still arise. If a tooth with a root canal should become reinfected, an endodontist can help repair the tooth a second time by retreating the root canal. 

This procedure involves removing the original filling materials and going through the steps of the root canal again while ensuring that no new infection has occurred.

Endodontic Surgery

Exploratory surgery may be required to find issues that weren’t able to be detected with dental x-rays. By doing an exploratory procedure, an endodontist can find the reasons for your discomfort.

Root-end resections, also called an apicoectomy are also common surgical procedures in the endodontist’s office, especially when the infection or inflammation isn’t relieved by a root canal In this procedure, the endodontist must open the gum tissue near the tooth root to remove infected tissue and remove the very end of the root.

Traumatic Dental Injuries

We urge all sports-playing patients to utilize a mouthguard to prevent the most common traumatic dental injury – a chipped tooth.

It is important to have chipped teeth examined by a professional in case there is any undetectable damage.

Endodontists pride themselves in being Specialists in Saving Teeth, proficient in executing these procedures to provide treatment and relief to patients call today to make your appointment.