A endodontics is the immediate solution to painful discomfort caused by nerve involvement.
Our priority is always the patient. Both your health and your pocket. Therefore, the first thing we try is to keep all the natural parts and only extract them, in case of real need.
Endodontics is a conservative treatment to avoid the extraction of a tooth.
Preserving your teeth is our priority, and for this, in a case of pain or significant destruction of a tooth, before removing it, we use the endodontic technique.
When a cavity has leaked into the pulp chamber, where the dental nerve is housed, the only possible medical alternative is the extraction of said nerve to keep the piece in the mouth. The purpose of this treatment is to preserve the teeth and their function. In cases of deep cavities or a strong blow to the teeth, pain could make us believe that the solution would be to remove the piece, but cleaning and disinfecting the tissues could prevent this from happening.
In addition, if it is detected early, it is easier to treat, since in this case the dentist will clean the tooth and apply a metallic or porcelain coating. But in other cases, the decay reaches the pulp, which is the tissue below the white enamel and the hard layer called dentin, and it becomes inflamed and infected.
In general, when you feel pain or excessive sensitivity to heat or cold, swelling and discoloration or discomfort in the gums, it is because the pulp has a problem.
What are the treatment steps?
First of all, the endodontist will examine the tooth and perform an x-ray. Then the local anesthesia will be applied, to then mount a protective sheet over the area to isolate the tooth in this way and keep it clean and without saliva during the procedure. .
Then, an opening will be made in the crown of the tooth. This will begin to clean the pulp and the ducts. It is performed using very fine instruments, in this way the crown is opened with small ringlets that extract the infected pulp.
After this, we proceed to prepare the space for the obturation and to fill the ducts with a biocompatible material that has the property of joining with the tissues. This material is called gutta-percha, and it is inserted with adhesive cement to ensure the absolute sealing of the canals. After this process, the patient must undergo another session for the placement of the cover which is called an inlay. It will be made of porcelain or metal and will protect the tooth, restoring full function.
If it were the case that the tooth does not have the necessary structure to retain a restoration in place, the specialist will have the option of implanting one or more posts inside it to give it firmness.
Endodontics is cheaper than tooth extraction, since in the case of extraction an implant or dental bridge must be performed. In addition, the treatment is almost painless. With applied anesthesia, the interior of the tooth is accessed and the nerve is removed, disinfecting the area and sealing the ducts for a final filling in another session.
After a root canal, the specialist will tell you when you can return to bite or chew normally with the affected tooth. When the treatment is over, the patient should maintain good cleaning habits with proper brushing, flossing and regular cleanings.