At Danos Dental, we are dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy and functional smile for life. Endodontics is a specialized area of dentistry focused on the dental pulp, nerves, and tissues located inside the teeth. Dr. Danos and his dental team have undergone extensive training beyond general dentistry to expertly diagnose and treat complex and routine endodontic issues, working with a primary goal of saving your natural teeth whenever possible.
With modern dental technologies and advancements in endodontics, we can now successfully preserve the natural tooth in the majority of cases. Through procedures like root canal therapy, we carefully address problems within the tooth, removing the damaged inner structures and sealing the resulting space. Often, a final restoration like a dental crown is placed to restore the tooth's health, strength, and functionality, allowing you to retain your natural smile.
Do I Need Endodontic Treatment?
Staying aware of the signs and symptoms of endodontic issues can help you seek timely treatment and help save your tooth. Common signs that may indicate a need for endodontic treatment at Danos Dental include:
- Inflammation and tenderness in the gums
- Lingering sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks
- Pain or discomfort when chewing or biting
- Noticeable discoloration of a tooth
- Unexplained pain in the lymph nodes near the affected area
Why Endodontic Treatment?
The primary goal of endodontic treatment is to save your natural tooth. Preserving your natural tooth through endodontic care can help maintain proper bite alignment, efficient chewing, and a natural smile.
Endodontic treatment is typically recommended to address conditions like:
- Bacterial infection or dental abscess
- Chipped or fractured teeth
- Oral injuries
- Knocked-out tooth (avulsion)
Our top endodontic treatments at Danos Dental in Murfreesboro include:
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy becomes necessary when the inner pulp (nerves) of a tooth is damaged by decay or infection. The procedure aims to save the tooth by removing the infected pulp, nerves, bacteria, and decay. The resulting space is then cleaned, shaped, and filled with specialized, medicated dental materials, restoring the tooth's health and function.
Root canal therapy typically requires 1-3 appointments to complete. Before starting, we will take and carefully examine comprehensive X-rays of the affected tooth. Dr. Fanos will ensure your comfort with local anesthesia, isolate the tooth and then create a small opening is created on the tooth's surface. We will then gently remove the damaged or infected pulp tissue and carefully clean and shape the empty space in the tooth to eliminate any remaining bacteria and prepare it for filling and sealing.
Usually, a temporary filling is placed to restore some function to the tooth until the permanent restoration is completed. During your final root canal appointment at Danos Dental, the temporary filling is removed, and a permanent restoration is placed to strengthen and protect the tooth, restoring its complete function and appearance.
Why Choose Root Canal Therapy?
Choosing root canal therapy is generally the preferred option to save a tooth that would otherwise die and require extraction. While some patients may consider tooth extraction a simpler solution, tooth removal can ultimately be more costly and lead to complications like shifting teeth and bite concerns. Root canal therapy has a high success rate and often lasts a lifetime with proper care.
You may need root canal therapy to address:
- An abscess on the gums near the affected tooth
- Prolonged tooth sensitivity
- Dental abscess or infection within the tooth
- Severe or persistent toothache pain
- Swelling and/or tenderness in the gums around the tooth
- Extensive tooth decay that has reached the pulp
- Injury or trauma to the tooth that damages the pulp
Following root canal treatment, it's normal for the tooth to feel slightly sensitive for a few days as the inflammation subsides. You will receive detailed post-operative care instructions. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and attending regular dental check-ups will significantly contribute to the long-term success of your root canal treatment.
Root Canal Retreatment
In rare instances, a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy may not heal as expected, or new concerns may arise that affect the health of the treated tooth. Root canal retreatment involves revisiting the previously treated tooth in a process similar to the initial root canal.
Choosing retreatment is often a better long-term option than extracting the tooth, especially if the tooth has good bone support, a sound structure, and healthy surrounding gums. Retreatment can also be more cost-effective than replacing the tooth with dental implants or extensive bridgework, and allows you to preserve your natural tooth.
Dr. Danos may recommend root canal retreatment to address:
- A cracked or leaky crown or filling allowing bacteria to re-enter the tooth.
- Curved or narrow root canals that were not adequately treated during the initial procedure.
- A delay in placing a permanent restoration (like a crown) after the initial root canal.
- New decay forming on the tooth.
- A new fracture developing in the treated tooth.
- Saliva contamination of the internal restoration.
- Undetected complex root canal anatomy during the original treatment.
The retreatment procedure typically takes one to three visits to our office. Dr. Danos will administer local anesthesia and take every measure to your comfort throughout your visit.
Endodontics for Cracked Teeth
When tooth enamel cracks, it can cause significant pain, particularly when the crack widens and exposes the inner pulp. Left untreated, the pulp can become irreversibly damaged and consistently painful, potentially leading to infection in the surrounding bone and soft tissues. Additional indicators of a cracked tooth can include:
- Unexplained pain while eating
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Intermittent tooth pain
- Difficulty pinpointing the exact location of the tooth pain
If you've experienced a cracked tooth, don't hesitate to contact Danos Dental for prompt treatment!
Restore Your Smile with Endodontic Treatment
If you have any questions or concerns about endodontic treatment, root canal therapy, or retreatment options, contact us to schedule your visit with the experienced team at Danos Dental in Murfreesboro. Our team is here to keep you comfortable while we restore your healthy, natural smile.
