Endodontics
What is it and Who treats it?
The teeth have small canals in the roots through which the dental nerves or dental pulp pass. When these are highly inflamed or infected we have to:
1. Remove it
2. Clean the canal (remove bacteria, necrotic tissue).
Once this is done, we proceed to seal the duct with a special plastic material called gutta-percha, which must be inert.
This act of removing, cleaning and sealing is the procedure we call endodontics; and the specialist who performs this is called an Endodontist
After sealing the canal, the reconstruction of the tooth destroyed by decay or fracture is carried out to protect the tooth and prevent the canal from being infected again.
Treatments
Endodontics
- In Incisors
- In Canines
- In Premolars
- In Molars
RE-Endodontics
- In Incisors
- In Canines
- In Premolars
- In Molars
Endodontics
An Endodontic treatment is a precise and effective procedure that involves the complete removal of the pulp or nerve of a tooth, with the aim of preserving the original teeth that have been affected by any of the following causes:
- A gum fistula with pus discharge is a symptom of severe dental damage.
- Darkening of the tooth is often a clear sign of pulp damage, known as pulp necrosis, and can result from trauma.
- Cracked, chipped, or deeply decayed teeth may allow bacteria to reach the pulp and affect it.
- Accidents that impact the tooth can cause damage and inflammation in the pulp.
These are some of the most common causes, and signs and symptoms include swelling in the face and neck, toothaches, gum swelling, and sensitivity to food and drinks’ temperature.
An Endodontic treatment helps maintain teeth with damage that cannot be treated with simple fillings or veneers, thus preventing tooth loss, which is always advantageous compared to tooth absence or extraction. This procedure restores dental functionality quickly and easily.
Regarding the types of endodontic treatments that can be applied, although the goal of endodontic treatment is the same for all teeth, the techniques used vary depending on the damage and the tooth being treated. Treating a tooth with one root is different from treating one with two or three roots; the approach is different. It’s important to note that the number of roots doesn’t always match the number of canals; for example, a tooth may have two roots and three canals.
Re-endodontics
As is occasionally the case with any dental or medical procedure, a tooth may not fit as expected after initial root canal treatment, for a variety of reasons, including:
- The existence of accessory channels that could not be detected in the first procedure
- Present a canal with a complicated anatomy.
It may also happen that the restoration will be delayed in placing, causing salivary contamination inside the canal, causing its failure.
Re-endodontics is the re-treatment of the root canals of teeth and is performed when the initial endodontic treatment of a tooth has not worked as originally expected. This treatment consists of removing the material that is inside the root canal of the tooth and, once done, the canal is cleaned, disinfected and filled again.
Many times a medication is placed and 10 to 15 days are expected to re-seal. This treatment is carried out with the main objective of ensuring that the natural tooth remains in the mouth.
Apicoectomy
An Apicoectomy is a minor surgical technique that allows to remove the terminal part of the root of the damaged tooth and clean the gingival tissues that surround it and have infection.
The price of a root canal is based on the number of roots and canals that the tooth has. A difference must be made between the number of roots of a tooth and the number of canals, since these often do not coincide. A tooth can have 3 dental roots and 4 or more canals, for instance.
FAQ
Previously it was thought that in a tooth with endodontic treatment, we should place a post or bolt with a crown. This was done due to a misconception that was had, we thought that in this way we strengthen the tooth, today we know that this is not true.
With minimally invasive dentistry, the indications for crowns have decreased by 90% and much more conservative techniques have been proposed to further preserve healthy dental structures.
Today we carry out a technique called “No Post No Crown” in Spanish No Poste, No Corona which is greatly simplified with our CAD CAM system (Computer Design and Computer Manufacturing). With this technique it is not necessary to wear down the entire tooth but only the affected parts, it is what we call minimally invasive dentistry , in this way dental crowns have only been indicated to replace an existing one where the teeth have already been prepared.
In short, a tooth with endodontics has to be restored with a high-load resin material. We call this procedure Build up and then with what we call occlusal veneers, which can be made of different materials (resin, lithium disilicate, icons, among others). Each material has its indication and a different cost.
Yes, since it is a treatment of the internal part of the tooth, not the external part, which does not prevent the tooth from suffering a cavity or suffering from periodontal disease.
Whenever we can save a tooth, it will always be the best option. If the tooth has suffered a severe fracture or extends below the gum line, extracting it would be the best option.
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