If you have toothache, you may need endodontic treatment. If your tooth is damaged or broken, you have tooth decay, large fillings or you have a wound in the tooth, the chance of an endodontic treatment increases, as these scenarios leave all your teeth open in some infection.
When is it required?
It is required when there is an infection deep inside your tooth. You may not feel pain or discomfort in the early stages of an infection, however, if your tooth changes color and darkens this is a sign that your tooth nerve is in danger of dying. If left untreated, this type of infection can not only result in pain, but can lead to tooth abscess or even tooth loss.
Five signs of infection:
- Severe toothache when you eat or when you put pressure on the tooth. Does it hurt when you eat hard food?
- Extremely sensitive teeth. Does the sensitive pain remain after the initial contact with hot or cold food or drink?
- Does your tooth darken. Has your tooth changed color? This may be a sign that the nerve is dying.
- A small blister on the gums, near the sore tooth.
- Painful swollen gums around the tooth.
What does the treatment include?
During the treatment, the germs are removed from the tooth with special tools, and then the tooth is sealed to protect the damaged nerve and to restore your oral health. Endodontic treatment is always performed under local anesthesia so that the procedure is comfortable for you.
An x-ray is needed before starting treatment to assess the condition of the infection. Local anesthesia is then applied to the area and a piece of elastic material called an "insulator" is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and accessible throughout the procedure. Once the area is completely numb, your dentist will use specially designed tools to remove the infected tissue. Once it is completely clean, a special filling material is used to fill the part of the tooth where the previously infected tissue was. This is usually completed with a temporary seal. Endodontic treatment can be completed in one or two appointments depending on the condition of the tooth.
