Tooth pain is usually an indication that something is wrong with your tooth and it should be diagnosed quickly to keep it from getting worse. The pain can be the result of a cavity or damage to the tooth from an injury. Depending on the extent of the damage to the tooth or the depth of the cavity, you may need to see an endodontist instead of a regular dentist.
What is Endodontics?
An endodontist treats the soft tissues that exist on the inside of the tooth, which is known as the pulp. The pulp of a tooth may become inflamed due to an infection inside of the tooth or damage or fracture due to an injury. In many cases, when you need endodontic treatment, a root canal is performed.
Diagnosing and Treating Tooth Pain
When you have tooth pain, you will usually see your dentist to get it diagnosed and, in some cases, he or she may recommend that you see an endodontist in South Loop to treat your tooth. This may be because the cavity, or infection in the tooth, is causing pain, or it is so deep they cannot do a filling themselves. In other cases, if the tooth has been damaged due to a blow, it may have been fractured or the root may be affected, causing it to slowly die.
X-rays will help determine how far down into the tooth the infection is. If it is too deep, a root canal may need to be done. In the case of a child’s permanent tooth, if it has been damaged in an accident, a root canal can save the tooth so it doesn’t die and need to be removed. Whether it is an adult’s or a child’s tooth, an extraction can lead to the teeth shifting, causing more extensive dental issues, so saving the tooth is the priority.
What is a Root Canal?
An endodontist will perform a root canal in order to keep a tooth from dying and needing to be extracted. A root canal involves removing the infection from a tooth by cleaning out the roots using tiny files. In most cases, a root canal can be done in one to two visits, but some people require a third visit to complete the procedure.
While a root canal can be an expensive procedure, if you have dental insurance, up to 50% of the costs may be covered by your policy. A root canal is usually done to save a tooth and keep it from having to be removed. Along with ending your pain, an endodontic procedure can prevent infection from spreading in your mouth and help maintain your smile. Schedule your consultation at South Loop Dental Specialists.
