Endodontic Services at Premier Dental Center
There may be instances when a dentist will recommend further treatment or procedures to keep infection or progressive gum diseases at bay. At Premier Dental Center Bulverde, we are proud to offer endodontics – a specialty that treats severe dental pain involving the pulp (nerve) and root of the tooth. The goal of endodontics is to help you save your natural tooth and prevent ongoing issues or extensive restorative dentistry procedures. One primary treatment offered by endodontists is a root canal.
Do You Need an Endodontist?
While most tooth pain isn’t serious, all tooth pain should be treated as emergent. When you see a dentist for a dental emergency, they will thoroughly examine your tooth and gums for signs of infection or severe issues. In most cases, a dentist can provide immediate relief for tooth pain, but sometimes endodontics may be needed to prevent tooth extraction. How do you know if you need an endodontist?
- Changing tooth color or enamel
- Sudden tooth pain with fever
- Tooth pain that accompanies swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
- Sensitivity to temperature
- Abscess or Infection
Root Canals
Root canals have come a long way since your parents and grandparents had this procedure done. What was once a serious and painful procedure is now a fairly simple and relatively pain-free experience. Our dental specialists are committed to making sure you are comfortable during a root canal, so we use local anesthesia and nitrous oxide to help ease your fear. For patients who are a bit more anxious, we are happy to discuss sedation dentistry methods. Root canals still aren’t a fun walk in the park, but our team does our best to make sure it is quick and that you remain comfortable during the appointment.
The Process
Getting a root canal starts with the dentist assessing the damage to the tooth, gums, and bone with up-to-date digital x-rays. Once the damage is determined, a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area and the tooth will be prepped for the procedure.
The endodontist will make a hole through the top of the tooth to provide access to the pulp – or nerves – of the tooth. The pulp will be removed from the diseased tooth and the inside of the tooth will be cleaned. If the infection was severe, the endodontist may recommend leaving the tooth open for medication for some time before the tooth is sealed. In mild to moderate cases, the tooth will be sealed the same day.
Endodontic Procedures
Most root canals are very successful in eliminating infection and disease from the pulp of the tooth, but in rare cases, you may need other endodontic services. During an Endodontic Retreatment, the endodontist will reopen the hole at the top of the tooth and try to determine why the infection is still causing issues. After evaluation, other treatments may be proposed. Tooth extraction is usually always the last resort.
If you are wondering if you need a root canal, an endodontist can perform a Pulp Vitality Test to determine how healthy the pulp (nerve) of your teeth is and whether or not a root canal would be necessary or successful.
Root Canals in Bulverde, TX
Premier Dental Center offers endodontic services including root canals in Bulverde, Texas. Our office offers the most up-to-date dental technology in a modern, comfortable office. Our team is passionate about creating a caring environment for every dental procedure, so you have nothing to fear. If for any reason the damage to the tooth or gums is too extensive, we partner with specialists in the area that can assist you. To get started with endodontics, or if you are experiencing gum or tooth pain, schedule an appointment today.