What’s an Endodontist, and When to Visit One?
The obvious thing would be to visit a general dentist near you when faced with dental issues. While the general dentist is well-suited to address these issues, some oral problems are better handled by a specialist. Your general dentist will always refer you to a specialist if you need specialized care.
If you’re experiencing severe symptoms like pain and sensitivity, your dentist can refer you to an endodontist. An endodontist is trained and skilled at diagnosing and treating dental issues. Contact our team for endodontics in Fort Atkinson.
What is an Endodontist?
An endodontist is a highly trained and skilled dental specialist specializing in caring for complex dental problems that primarily affect the inside of teeth (pulp) or around the roots. The endodontist focus on eliminating the underlying issue, relieving the associated symptoms, and saving your tooth.
Depending on your issue, the endodontist can perform root canal therapy and other endodontic treatments to save your tooth. If the damage is significant beyond saving, extracting the tooth may be the best remedy. Later, you can replace the tooth with a dental bridge or implant.
Endodontist vs. General Dentist
Unlike a general dentist, an endodontist has two more years of extra dental training. While a general dentist can perform endodontic treatments like root canals, endodontists have better skills and experience, especially with complex dental issues.
Among other procedures, an endodontist can perform the following dental surgeries:
- Root canal therapy – Involves removing an infected or decayed tooth’s pulp.
- Endodontic retreatment – Involves treating a tooth that didn’t heal properly after a previous root canal.
- Tooth extraction – Extracting a severely or decayed tooth that’s beyond saving.
- Emergency dental surgery – Involves repairing complex and severe dental injuries and infections.
- Dental implants – Involves placing an implant into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth.
- Endodontic surgery like apicoectomy – removing the tip or end of a tooth’s root.
Reasons to See an Endodontist
Typically, it can be challenging to determine when to see an endodontist or a general dentist Elkhorn. Here are seven reasons to see an endodontist:
- Consistent tooth pain
Your dentist can diagnose and fix it quickly. If the pain is severe and persistent, seeking endodontics near you may be necessary. Severe toothache is often a sign of pulp or root infection. You need a root canal or other advanced procedures to relieve pain and save your tooth.
- Sensitivity to temperature
If you experience sharp tooth pain when you take hot or cold food items coffee, soda, ice cream, and water, your tooth’s nerves and blood vessels may be exposed or infected. A root canal is necessary to eliminate the damaged tissues.
- Tooth discoloration
While tooth discoloration can happen from numerous factors, it’s always good to see an endodontist if you notice that a specific tooth is changing color. An infected pulp often gives a tooth a grayish-black appearance.
- Swollen gums
If you notice sore, red, or swollen gums near a painful tooth can be a sign of root or pulp infection. Swelling results from acidic water products from the decayed pulp tissues. An endodontist can help treat the issue and restore the health of your tooth and gums. In some cases, swollen or sore gums may indicate gum disease.
- Tooth abscess
You should see an endodontist if you notice a little pimple on the gums. Often, the abscess is filled with pus, indicating an infection in the tooth or roots. Along with the pimple, you can experience an unpleasant taste and bad breath.
- Dental trauma
Dental trauma like chips, cracks, and breaks can happen during sports accidents or chewing hard items. This can expose your tooth’s pulp, leading to infections, sensitivity, and pain. An endodontist treats the tooth and provides restorations like dental crowns.
- Tooth mobility
Untreated tooth decay will often lead to loose or falling teeth. The infection can spread to the tooth roots and the jawbone, causing mobility. The dentist can perform a root canal and stabilize the tooth.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Severe dental pain, sensitivity, abscess, and swelling often indicate that you need endodontic treatments. Contact Rock River Dental to book your appointment with our dentist in Fort Atkinson.