Endodontics

Beneath their hard outer exterior (called enamel), each one of your teeth contains delicate nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue (called dental pulp). While enamel is non-living and has no nerve or blood supply, your dental pulp is alive and incredibly sensitive. When tooth decay has compromised enamel or cementum (the mineral layer that covers each tooth root), the dental pulp can easily become painful and sensitive. If left untreated, your dental pulp can become vulnerable to bacterial infection (called pulpitis), which may eventually require that you undergo a root canal or tooth extraction.

Symptoms of Dental Pulp Issues

• Pain. The pain caused by dental pulp issues can manifest in different ways (whether as dull pain, sharp pain, or throbbing pain) and affect different areas of your body (like your teeth, gums, jaw, and/or face). Whatever the quality of pain, it can make it hard to chew, focus, function, and sleep—even if you take over-the-counter pain medication.
• Sensitivity. Dental pulp issues can cause tooth sensitivity while you chew, or intense pain when your tooth is exposed to certain foods, beverages, and temperatures.
• Cracks, Breakage, or Injury. Leaving a cracked, broken, or injured tooth untreated can lead to sensitivity, pain, and tooth loss.

Common Endodontic Procedures

Dr. R. Herman, Dr. Mack, and Dr. E. Herman, are well versed in endodontic care saving teeth, diagnosing tooth pain, and skillfully performing dental pulp procedures.

• Root canal. Root canals save millions of teeth every year by treating inflammation or infection of dental pulp, which can be caused by injury, damage (cracks or chips), or tooth decay. If left untreated, damaged or infected pulp can lead to a painful abscess or tooth loss.
• Endodontic Retreatment. Though a root canal treatment and diligent dental care can often resolve dental pulp issues, incomplete healing or new dental problems, such as decay or breakage, can make the tooth vulnerable to infection or inflammation. Followed by a detailed evaluation, an endodontic retreatment can address dental discomfort and encourage proper healing.
• Emergency Dentistry. One or several teeth can become cracked or damaged due to an accident or sports injury. With advanced tooth-saving techniques, Dr. R. Herman, Dr. Mack, and Dr. E. Herman can diagnose and develop a treatment strategy for minor-to-severe traumatic dental injuries.

Saving your teeth is our priority. If you’re experiencing tooth pain or sensitivity, oral or facial swelling, or a tooth injury, contact our office ASAP.