What Is Endodontic Treatment and Why Would I Need an Endodontic Procedure?

The field of endodontics is a specialized area of dentistry that exclusively focuses on the inside of the teeth. This includes the “pulp” of the tooth, which is made up of nerves, blood cells, and other tissues. Endodontists use various approaches to treat problems that affect the inside of the teeth. Some of the most common procedures they perform include:

• Root canal – A root canal is used to treat a tooth with infected pulp. This treatment preserves the natural tooth structure and prevents the need for extraction.
• Root canal retreatment – A tooth that has undergone a root canal treatment can become reinfected and require retreatment.
• Apicoectomy – This is a surgical procedure that is performed when the infection is located at the tip of the tooth’s root. An apicoectomy is considered when a traditional root canal is not possible or has not been successful.
• Tooth extraction – Tooth extraction involves the removal of the tooth from the jawbone. This treatment is considered in cases of severe decay, trauma, or impacted wisdom teeth.
• Dental implant surgery – This is a restorative surgery that involves the placement of titanium implants into the jawbone to replace missing teeth.

The most common endodontic treatment is a root canal procedure. This treatment is used to save a tooth that is affected by deep cavities, fractures, inflammation, repeated injuries, or dental treatments from extraction.

Root canal treatments require one to two appointments to be completed. In the first, the infected pulp is carefully removed, and the root canal is cleaned and shaped under anesthesia. In some cases, the endodontist will have you return for a second appointment before filling the tooth with biocompatible material and placing a dental crown. The two-appointment approach is most common in cases of advanced infection or during retreatment procedures, as the endodontist can ensure the infection is completely resolved before filling the root canal.

If you need a root canal, you may experience symptoms such as throbbing pain, gum swelling, tooth sensitivity, or tooth discoloration. However, the symptoms are not always apparent, so it’s important to see a dental professional regularly so signs of infection and other concerns can be monitored.

Various concerns warrant endodontic intervention, including:

• Tooth decay – Deep cavities and tooth decay can allow oral bacteria to enter the inside of the tooth. This causes inflammation and jeopardizes your oral health.
• Chips or fractures – Chips and tooth fractures can leave the pulp exposed and result in infection.
• Trauma – If you experience a direct or indirect blow to the mouth, you may need root canal treatment to stabilize the injured tooth in its socket.
• Gum swelling or abscess – If you notice swelling around a certain tooth or an abscess on the gums, it usually means you have an infection that requires endodontic intervention.
• Cracked tooth syndrome – Cracked tooth syndrome occurs when a tooth has a small, often difficult-to-detect crack that causes significant discomfort. If the crack is deep enough, root canal treatment may be required.

Your recovery from endodontic treatment depends on the specific procedure you underwent. If it was a root canal, great news; it usually only takes a few days to a week to recover. In addition, most of the post-treatment symptoms are mild and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

In cases of tooth extraction, it takes around 1 to 2 weeks to heal from the procedure. In the first couple of days, you’ll need to take it easy, but after 72 hours, you’ll be able to resume most normal activities. After a few weeks, you’ll be able to return to a regular diet.

Healing from an apicoectomy takes the longest. After two weeks, most of the discomfort is gone, but the healing process lasts for up to 6 months. The endodontist will provide you with a detailed timeline of how long your recovery is expected to take. By staying consistent with oral care practices and the aftercare instructions of the specialist, you will stay on track to heal as fast as possible. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 107 Cedar Grove Ln Suite 102, Somerset, NJ 08873. We serve patients from Somerset NJ, New Brunswick NJ, Highland Park NJ, Piscataway NJ, Hillsborough NJ, Manville NJ, South Bound Brooke NJ, and surrounding areas.