Endodontics

Expert Endodontic Care at Indira Dental Clinic

Endodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that focuses on treating diseases and injuries of the dental pulp and the tissues surrounding the roots of a tooth. The most common endodontic procedure is root canal treatment, which involves removing infected or damaged pulp from inside a tooth to relieve pain and save the natural tooth.

At Indira Dental Clinic, our endodontic specialists are committed to providing comfortable, effective treatment to eliminate infection and pain while preserving your natural teeth. We use advanced techniques and technologies to ensure precision, efficiency, and optimal outcomes for even the most complex cases.

What is Endodontics?

Endodontics is the dental specialty concerned with the study and treatment of the dental pulp – the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. Endodontists are dentists who have completed additional specialized training in diagnosing and treating problems associated with the inside of the tooth.

The primary focus of endodontics is to save natural teeth whenever possible. This is important because preserving your natural teeth is generally the best option for maintaining proper chewing function, natural appearance, and protection of other teeth from excessive wear and strain.

When is Endodontic Treatment Needed?

Endodontic treatment becomes necessary when the pulp inside your tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This can happen for various reasons:

• Deep decay that has reached the pulp
• Repeated dental procedures on a tooth
• Cracks or chips in the tooth
• Trauma to the tooth, even if there's no visible damage
• Large fillings that are close to the pulp
• Severe gum disease affecting the tooth's roots

Signs You May Need Endodontic Treatment

• Severe toothache, particularly when chewing or applying pressure
• Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Discoloration or darkening of the tooth
• Swelling and tenderness in nearby gums
• Persistent or recurring pimple on the gums (gum boil)
• Deep decay or darkening of the gums

It's important to note that sometimes there are no symptoms, and the infection is detected during routine dental examinations or on X-rays. Early intervention is key to successful endodontic treatment and preventing further complications.

Our Endodontic Services

At Indira Dental Clinic, we provide a comprehensive range of endodontic services to address various dental pulp issues and save your natural teeth:

Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment is a procedure used to save a tooth when the pulp becomes infected or inflamed. Despite its reputation, modern root canal treatment is relatively comfortable and similar to having a routine filling.

The Root Canal Procedure

1. 1

   Examination and Diagnosis

   We begin with a thorough examination, which may include digital X-rays, to assess the condition of the tooth and surrounding tissues.

2. 2

   Local Anesthesia

   Local anesthesia is administered to ensure you're comfortable throughout the procedure. You'll be awake but won't feel pain in the treatment area.

3. 3

   Pulp Removal

   A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals. The infected or inflamed pulp is carefully removed using specialized instruments.

4. 4

   Cleaning and Shaping

   The canals are thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to prepare them for filling. This process removes bacteria and debris from the canals.

5. 5

   Filling the Canals

   The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha, which is sealed with adhesive cement to prevent future infection.

6. 6

   Restoration

   A temporary or permanent filling is placed to close the access hole. In most cases, a crown is recommended to protect and restore the tooth to full function.

Types of Root Canal Treatments

• Standard Root Canal: The conventional treatment for teeth with straightforward anatomy and accessible canals.
• Molar Root Canal: More complex treatment for molars, which typically have 3-4 canals and may require additional time and specialized techniques.
• Single-Visit Root Canal: For suitable cases, the entire procedure can be completed in one appointment.
• Multi-Visit Root Canal: More complex cases may require 2-3 visits to ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection of the canals.

Endodontic Retreatment

Sometimes, a tooth that has received root canal treatment may not heal properly or may develop new problems months or even years later. In these cases, endodontic retreatment may be necessary to save the tooth.

During retreatment, we reopen the tooth, remove the existing root canal filling material, clean the canals more thoroughly, address any new or missed infections, and place new filling material. This gives your tooth a second chance at healing and preserving your natural tooth.

Reasons for retreatment may include:

• New decay exposing the root canal filling to bacteria
• Delayed placement of a crown or restoration
• Cracked or broken crown allowing contamination
• Complicated canal anatomy that wasn't fully treated initially
• Narrow or curved canals that weren't fully cleaned
• New infection in accessory canals

Endodontic Surgery

In some cases, nonsurgical endodontic treatment may not be sufficient to save a tooth, or it may not be possible to access the infection through conventional root canal treatment. Endodontic surgery provides an additional option for saving teeth in these situations.

Apicoectomy (Root-End Resection)

The most common endodontic surgical procedure is an apicoectomy, which involves removing the tip of the tooth's root (apex) and placing a root-end filling to seal the canal. This procedure is typically performed when inflammation or infection persists in the bone around the root tip after a root canal treatment.

Other Endodontic Surgeries

• Root Amputation: Removal of one root from a multi-rooted tooth, typically performed on molars.
• Hemisection: Division of a multi-rooted tooth, usually a lower molar, with removal of one root and its associated crown portion.
• Intentional Replantation: Extraction of a tooth, treatment of the root outside the mouth, and reimplantation back into its socket.
• Exploratory Surgery: Used to identify fractures or hidden canals that may be causing pain but aren't visible on X-rays.

Advanced Endodontic Technology

At Indira Dental Clinic, we utilize state-of-the-art technology to enhance the precision, efficiency, and comfort of our endodontic procedures:

FAQs about Endodontics