An endodontist is a highly skilled dentist who specializes in the treatment of teeth that are affected by disease or infection. This may include performing root canal therapy, which is a procedure to remove the infected tissue from the inside of the tooth.
How can you know if you need to visit a Carlsbad endodontist? Let’s consider some more details about endodontics and some situations where you might need to see an endodontist in Carlsbad.
What is Endodontics?
Endodontics is an aspect of dentistry that specializes in the treatment of the dental pulp. This includes diagnosing and treating diseases or injuries to the pulp, as well as performing root canal therapy.
An endodontist will have completed two or more years of specialist training after graduating from dental school. This education involves accurately diagnosing the causes of tooth discomfort, conducting root canal therapy, and other processes involving the inside of the tooth. Endodontic therapy may salvage a diseased tooth in many circumstances.
When Might You Need Treatment from an Endodontist?
The average person would only need to see an endodontist under specific circumstances. If you are experiencing any of the following problems, you may need to schedule an appointment to be referred to a Carlsbad endodontist as soon as possible:
- When you have swelling or pain in your gums
- If you have a severe toothache
- When you experience a change in the color or shape of your tooth
- If you are experiencing severe difficulty in swallowing or chewing
- When you have had a traumatic injury to your mouth
- If you’re noticing pus drainage from the gums or tooth
What Kind of Treatment Would an Endodontist Provide?
If you are experiencing any of the problems listed above, your endodontist may provide one of the following treatments:
- Root canal therapy. This involves removing the diseased pulp from inside the tooth and cleaning and sealing the root canals. This treatment is typically very successful in relieving pain and preserving the natural tooth.
- Crown lengthening. This is a surgical procedure used to expose more of the tooth’s surface so that it can be restored with a crown.
- Apexification. This procedure is used to treat teeth that have not fully formed (these teeth are called “open apexes”). In this procedure, calcium hydroxide is placed inside the root canal to stimulate bone formation and closure of the apex.
- Apicoectomy. This surgical procedure is used to remove infected tissue from the tip of a tooth’s root. It is generally reserved for cases that have failed previous root canal treatment.
Endodontics at Carlsbad Dental Associates
Carlsbad Dental Associates’ endodontic specialist, Dr. Susan Chang, has expertise in dental pulp pathology and periradicular disease and provides the exceptional patient-centered treatment.
If you are experiencing any signs that you might require endodontic treatment, contact Carlsbad Dental Associates at (760) 918-9000. We proudly serve the communities of Carlsbad, Vista, Oceanside, San Marcos, and the North County of San Diego.
