

Why do some teeth require further treatment or retreatment? The suitability of the tooth is also reviewed during the course of treatment. Alternative treatment options are discussed and considered. At the initial consultation, an assessment of the suitability of each tooth for treatment is made. Teeth that are severely broken down, have advanced periodontal (gum) disease or have extensive fracture may not be suitable for root canal treatment. Most teeth with infected or diseased pulp can be treated with root canal treatment. A dentist will refer to an endodontist when a case or a tooth is too complex to manage in a general practice setting. All dentists are trained to perform endodontic treatment however, not all root canal treatments are the same. In addition, endodontists are also trained to diagnose facial pain and to manage dental trauma. Essentially an endodontist is a root canal specialist. What is an endodontist?Īn endodontist is a dental specialist who has completed additional three years of further study and training in the area of infectious disease inside the tooth and its surrounding structure. Endodontic treatment gives us an opportunity to retain natural teeth that would otherwise have to be removed because of this disease or infection. In some cases there are no symptoms at all. The signs of an inflamed or infected tooth can be lingering pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling and tenderness, pain to biting or discolouration of the tooth. If an infected tooth is left untreated it can cause pain, develop an abscess and also bone loss around the root.
#Endo meaning dental crack#
The inflammation and infection may be caused by deep decay, a crack in the tooth, leakage around a filling or as a result of trauma or a knock to the tooth.

You may need root canal treatment if the tissue inside your tooth, the pulp, becomes inflamed or infected. Root canal treatment involves cleaning, shaping and filling the inside of the tooth to make it disease-free and functional again. Root canal treatment is performed when the tooth’s pulp (sometimes referred to as the nerve) has become diseased or infected. Thus endodontic treatment refers to treating the inside of the tooth. The word Endodontics originates from the Greek words ‘endo’ meaning ‘inside’ and ‘odont’ meaning ‘tooth’. Endodontic treatment is the technical name for the dental procedure commonly referred to as ‘root canal treatment’ or ‘root filling’.
