Dentists often refer a patient with an injured tooth to an endodontist for evaluation and treatment. If you have an injured tooth, there are several treatment options. Which option makes sense will depend on how severe the damage is. Root canals and extractions are common endodontic procedures. All dentists receive some training in specialized procedures, such as treatments for cracked or loose teeth, but endodontists have additional training and experience. Depending on the nature of the injury, a person with an injured tooth may need treatment from this specialist.
The term "endodontics" refers to the inside of the tooth. This dental specialty is concerned with the soft tissue inside the tooth as well as the hard structure of the tooth and the root. That soft tissue, known as the pulp, contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The enamel is the surface layer of the tooth, which is separated from the pulp by a hard middle layer called dentin.
Dentists tend to focus on treating enamel and dentin. On the other hand, an endodontist focuses on evaluating and treating tooth injuries that penetrate the enamel and dentin. Endodontists routinely treat dislodged, loose, and cracked or fractured teeth with the goal of saving the tooth.
An individual who suffers a tooth injury may undergo one of several endodontic procedures, depending on the nature of the injury. A dislodged (luxated) tooth can often be saved at the office by pushing it back into place. An adult may also need to get a root canal, which is then topped off by a cap or crown.
If the patient has a tooth entirely knocked out, the endodontist can replace the tooth in the socket and apply a splint to stabilize it. Sometimes these teeth can be re-implanted and saved, though they may require a root canal.
A cracked tooth may be treated with a filling or a crown. The choice of a filling or crown depends on how serious the damage is. Those treatments will not work if the pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth has been exposed. These cases require a root canal and a crown or a cap. A tooth that has been severely cracked may need to be extracted, though a crown may also suffice.
Sometimes a fractured tooth is not readily detectable. These root fractures can be repaired by applying a splint, though the odds of success depend on where the fracture happened. If the tooth is fractured below, but near the gum line, saving the tooth may be more likely compared to a fracture down near the root tip. Sometimes a tooth damaged by root fracture has to be extracted.
Sports accidents, falls in the home, and a dozen other causes sometimes cause severe tooth damage that reaches the soft tissue inside the tooth. A general dentist may refer a patient to an endodontist to address such injuries. A cracked, broken, or loose tooth might be saved by splinting or a root canal, or it may have to be extracted.
Request an appointment here: https://www.sheats-endo.com or call Sheats Endodontic Group at (615) 526-2495 for an appointment in our Nashville office.
Endodontics is derived from the Greek words "endos" which means within, and "odont," meaning tooth. This dental discipline centers on the study and treatment of the tooth pulp as well as tissues around the root of the teeth. The most common treatment in endodontics is root canal treatment, which is often associated with pain. However,…
An endodontist treats tooth infections with root canal therapy. Although many dentists can provide this treatment, additional training may be necessary to treat the most severe cases. The goal of root canal therapy is tooth loss prevention. Still, various factors can complicate the procedure, making the experience and training of dentists with advanced endodontic training invaluable.Persistent…
A root canal endodontist can help repair and then save an infected or badly damaged tooth. With proper care, teeth that have had root canal treatment can be kept for a lifetime. But sometimes teeth can heal improperly and become painful or diseased after some months or even years after treatment. As much as this…
A root canal specialist can be a lifesaver if you are dealing with an injured tooth. While the procedure has earned itself a reputation as some sort of scary procedure people should be terrified of, the reality is that root canals bring relief to patients who are often dealing with excruciating pain.Root canals are often…
Endodontics is derived from the Greek words "endos" which means within, and "odont," meaning tooth. This dental discipline centers on the study and treatment of the tooth pulp as well as tissues around the root of the teeth. The most common treatment in endodontics is root canal treatment, which is often associated with pain. However,…
An endodontist treats tooth infections with root canal therapy. Although many dentists can provide this treatment, additional training may be necessary to treat the most severe cases. The goal of root canal therapy is tooth loss prevention. Still, various factors can complicate the procedure, making the experience and training of dentists with advanced endodontic training invaluable.Persistent…