Tooth extraction is within the scope of endodontics, and it is one of the most common procedures performed by an endodontist. Root canal treatment is a therapy that removes inflamed or infected matter from the inside of a tooth, often to help prevent the patient from needing an extraction. However, there are cases where a dental problem extends beyond these internal spaces and a tooth also requires microsurgical treatments to save itself. When an endodontist performs root canal treatment, the infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is meticulously cleaned and disinfected.
The space will then be filled and sealed with a rubber-like material. After treatment, the tooth will receive a new crown or filling to strengthen it and it will resume normal function like any other tooth. Endodontists are often referred to as “tooth-saving specialists” as they focus on saving sore or diseased teeth. If the pulp layer (dental nerve) of the tooth is damaged, diseased, or even dead, the only way to save the tooth is root canal treatment. To do this, endodontists numb the tooth with local anesthesia and then create a small opening in the tooth, exposing the canals.
High-tech imaging equipment and 3D imaging microscopes are used to guide them before microsurgery and ensure excellent visibility during surgery. Endodontists also perform other types of surgeries, all of which focus on improving oral health and helping patients save their teeth. If you are dealing with toothache, whether it is dull and aching or sharp and throbbing, it can usually be difficult to bite and chew, and an endodontist may need to be consulted. In cases of a cracked or broken tooth, you may need an oral surgeon or endodontist to treat it. After finishing dental school, students who aspire to be endodontists will continue their studies with two or three years in a program specializing in advanced endodontics. Like general dentists, both endodontists and oral surgeons prioritize caring for the gums, teeth, and mouth.
Your dentist or endodontist can answer many of your questions, and if you're still in doubt, it's often wise to seek a second opinion. Through endodontic treatment, endodontists and dentists around the world allow patients to preserve their natural teeth for life. You'll want immediate treatment from an endodontist as soon as your dentist recommends this type of care.
