What Are the Most Common Endodontic Procedures?

Endodontists are dental specialists focusing on diagnosing, preventing, and treating injuries and conditions affecting tooth pulp and surrounding tissues. Root canal therapy is the most common procedure that endodontic professionals perform. In this procedure, the infected tooth pulp is removed, and the inside of the root canals is cleaned, shaped, and filled to prevent infection and other complications.

In some circumstances, a tooth that has already undergone root canal therapy does not heal well and becomes susceptible to new issues. In such cases, endodontists perform a second root canal treatment, commonly called endodontic retreatment. In addition, endodontists treat traumatic dental injuries, such as cracked, fractured, or dislodged teeth.

Another procedure performed by endodontics is known as apicoectomy or root-end surgery. When infection continues in the bony region around the end of a tooth after a root canal procedure, an apicoectomy may be needed.

During root canal therapy, endodontists can also perform pulpectomy or pulpotomy to address infected pulp. Following your treatment, endodontists can provide restorative care, such as dental crowns. If you require a root canal, need re-treatment, or have sustained dental trauma, an endodontist is the right professional to see, as they can provide comprehensive care.

When you see an endodontist for the first time, they will assess your concerns through a physical examination and use X-rays to get a closer look at the extent of the damage. This process is essential for accurately diagnosing the root cause of your symptoms and identifying the best treatment approach in your case.

If the professional determines that you need a root canal, your endodontist can perform the procedure with local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. The affected tooth will be isolated with the use of a dental dam, and an opening will be made in the crown of the tooth. Once the endodontist accesses the pulp chamber inside the tooth, they can carefully extract the damaged pulp. Next, the root canals are cleaned and shaped with specialized instruments and closed with biocompatible material.

The process takes between 30 and 90 minutes and may require one to three appointments. Your endodontist will ensure you are well-informed on the procedure and remain as comfortable as possible throughout.

While any of your teeth can become affected by decay and require root canal treatment, the back molars are most susceptible to issues that require this procedure. As they are located at the back of the mouth and used for grinding food, molars are particularly vulnerable to decay and wear. Molar root canal treatment is often more complex than treating teeth toward the front of the mouth, as they have up to four root canals and are harder to access.

While some general dentists offer root canal treatment, there are various reasons why endodontists are the best professionals to visit for this procedure. Endodontists complete additional years of training to become specialists in root canal therapy. They perform root canals regularly, making them highly skilled in the most effective techniques to ensure patient comfort and successful outcomes.

Teeth with complex root canal systems, re-treatments, and surgical endodontic procedures are better managed by endodontists due to their expertise and experience. Due to their extensive training and expertise, it’s a good idea to visit an endodontist if you need root canal treatment, especially if your case is complex or you require re-treatment.

It’s important not to delay endodontic treatment, as your concerns can worsen as decay and infection spread. By seeing an endodontist promptly after your symptoms arise, you can stop them from intensifying and significantly interfering with your daily life.

The team at Ideal Endodontics specializes in a range of services, including root canal treatment, swollen gum care, dental trauma care, and more. To book your appointment with us, you can request a time through our web portal or reach out to our friendly team for assistance. We are conveniently located at 11980 San Vicente Blvd Ste 900 Los Angeles, CA 90049. For more information, please contact us. We serve patients from Brentwood CA, Santa Monica CA, West Los Angeles CA, Beverly Hills CA, West Hollywood CA, Venice CA, Culver City CA, and surrounding areas.