Exploring the Purpose of Endodontic Treatments in Dentistry

Have you ever heard of endodontic treatment in Modesto, CA, near you? If not, do not be overly concerned because you are not the only one. People know about certain dental treatments when they are scheduled to get them. However, when you are in pursuit of a dental procedure that can help save your natural teeth, you will have no choice but to learn more about endodontics near you.

What Is Endodontics?

It is an area of dentistry that concentrates on treating the internal parts of a tooth to restore its health. The goal of a dentist near you is always to provide a dental solution that can preserve your dental health. When it regards saving your natural teeth, a dentist in Modesto will employ endodontic treatment, commonly called root canal therapy.

Endodontic procedures are prime on operating on the insides of your teeth. As such, the procedure has some degree of invasion to it, which may be something you need to discuss with your dentist before your procedure begins. Consider root canal procedures are useful for saving your natural teeth instead of undergoing dental extractions. Besides, once a tooth is mature, it can survive without the internal contents as long as it remains in your jawbone.

When Is Endodontic Treatment Necessary?

Endodontic procedures are performed on patients with infected or damaged teeth. If your natural tooth is still intact on your jawbone and its structure is not significantly compromised, then you are a suitable candidate for an endodontic procedure. Some of the dental issues that are treated with endodontic dental works include:

1. An abscessed tooth – features a pocket filled with the buildup of pus, commonly located at the roots of infected teeth.
2. Decaying tooth – when a dental cavity has damaged the external layers of teeth enough to allow for the progression of tooth decay.
3. Broken or cracked tooth – sometimes dental trauma on a tooth can damage more than just the external structure. A crack or break can be significant enough to damage the inner layers of your teeth.
4. An aching tooth –sometimes you are not even sure when you have a toothache. However, the fact that your tooth is causing you pain means that the nerves thereof are problematic. Further, endodontic treatment can help treat your pain long-term.

What Do Endodontic Procedures Entail?

The initial step of an endodontic procedure is sedation. Sedative medication helps calm your nerves so you can relax throughout the dental work. Besides, local anesthesia will numb your mouth, ensuring you have a painless endodontic procedure. When you visit a dental office in Modesto, CA, anticipate the following steps for your endodontic procedure:

1. Drilling – the dentist drills your tooth to create an entry to the insides of your tooth. The small hole formed will breach through different layers of your teeth, enough to access the central part of your tooth.
2. Cleaning – a special tool helps suck out the insides of your teeth that have succumbed to bacterial infection. The cleaning process will get rid of bacteria, damaged nerve endings, blood vessels, connective tissues, and other soft tissues. If you have an abscessed tooth, your dentist will also drain it out during this step.
3. Shaping and filling – your endodontist will reshape the canal of your tooth before filling it with a substance called gutta-percha. It is a type of thermoplastic used to fill tooth canals, preventing reinfection after treatment.
4. Tooth filling and crowning – after the canal filling, the dentist will fill the exterior of the tooth to close up the hole created after drilling. Depending on the size of the tooth filling, the endodontist may decide to place a dental crown over the treated tooth. In such a case, the dental crown holds the dental filling in place while protecting the structural framework of the tooth.

Summary

Although it may be an invasive procedure, you should be overly concerned about pain during root canal treatments. Endodontists lay the necessary measures for a painless procedure. The idea of saving your natural tooth and treating your pain should be enough motivation for you to book your first dental appointment with an endodontist near you.