Endodontics

What is endodontics?

Endodontics is a field of dentistry dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and preventive damage to the dental pulp.

Your pulp is a soft, living tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels. It is found in the center of your teeth and helps you experience hot and cold sensations. As your tooth matures, the pulp is no longer necessary for your tooth’s survival.

If you experience damage to your tooth pulp due to an injury or decay, endodontic treatment can help preserve your original tooth. There are several types of procedures, however, root canal therapy is the most common.

What is root canal therapy?

A root canal is a type of endodontic treatment in which Dr. Gazu drills an access hole in the top of your affected tooth to remove the dental pulp.

Prior to root canal therapy, she administers a local anesthetic to ensure the process is pain-free and comfortable. She then cleans out the root canal with antiseptic solution and fills the channel with gutta-percha, a pliable material that hardens when it cools to seal out bacteria from the tooth. Lastly, Dr. Gazu caps your tooth with a protective crown.

Why would I need endodontics?

Endodontics can preserve the integrity and structure of your tooth. At Marvel Dental, Dr. Gazu regularly uses endodontic treatments to:

• Prevent further damage caused by a chipped or cracked tooth
• Address deep decay caused by a cavity
• Treat damage from a tooth injury
• Support a tooth following extensive dental work

Dr. Gazu takes X-rays of your affected tooth to evaluate the damage in more detail before recommending an endodontic procedure.

What can I expect with endodontics?

At Marvel Dental, Dr. Gazu performs endodontics treatment as an outpatient procedure. On the day of your endodontic procedure, she administers a local anesthetic to numb your gums and tooth roots. Once the anesthesia sets in, she carefully removes the damaged or infected tooth pulp.

Following the procedure, you may have some pain, swelling, and discomfort in the treated area. It’s important to make sure you follow Dr. Gazu’s instructions to have a successful recovery. She may recommend eating soft foods in the meantime, taking your medications as prescribed, and getting plenty of rest.

After about a week, you should be able to return back to your normal routines. If you have any concerns prior to your procedure or after, you’re always welcome to reach out to the Marvel Dental office.

If you have tooth damage or an infection that requires endodontics, call Marvel Dental or schedule an appointment online today.