Endodontics

Endodontics is a specialty in dentistry that maintains the health of the insides of your teeth, including the nerves and blood vessels. When inflammation in a tooth aggravates the nerve, dentist Maria-Teresa Ioannou, DDS, provides root canal therapy at Vida Dental in Whitestone, New York. To find out if your discomfort means you need a root canal, call Vida Dental or book an appointment online today.

Endodontics is a dental specialty that maintains the health of the pulp inside your teeth. Every one of your teeth has pulp, a pocket inside the tooth containing soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. 

Injuries to your teeth can damage the pulp, which leads to inflammation, sensitivity, and pain. When this happens, it’s important to report the symptoms to your dentist immediately to determine if you need a root canal. 

While many people hesitate to get root canals because of the potential for discomfort, the treatments resolve more pain than they cause. Plus, Vida Dental offers a unique spa experience to make your time in the office as satisfactory as possible. You get a facial massage and other perks with your treatment and have the option for sedation with nitrous oxide. 

How can I tell if I need endodontic treatment?

Several oral symptoms can indicate your need for a root canal. While tooth pain and others can have many possible causes, an examination and X-ray at Vida Dental can highlight the underlying problem. 

You might need endodontic treatment if you experience symptoms like:

• Tooth or jaw pain
• Tooth sensitivity to extreme temperatures
• Gum swelling and pimple-like bumps
• Deep tooth discoloration
• A visible chip or crack in your tooth

The inflammation or infection of the pulp can get worse the longer you go without treatment. Vida Dental encourages you to book a visit right away if you experience the symptoms on this list. 

What does a root canal involve?

Knowing what to expect from a root canal might ease your mind about your upcoming endodontic treatment. During the procedure, your dentist creates a small opening in your painful tooth using a file to access the pulp. They extract all bacteria plus the pulp itself from the inside of the tooth. 

Once the inner canals of the tooth are empty, your dentist sanitizes and disinfects them. Then, they fill the empty canals before sealing the opening in your tooth. 

While your tooth can survive without the soft tissue inside, root canal therapy leaves the tooth more fragile than before. This is why you might need a custom, color-matched crown to support the tooth after a root canal. 

Call Vida Dental or book an appointment online to find out if you need a root canal today.