Endodontic Questions

What is endodontics?

Endodontics is that area of dentistry which treats the interior of a tooth. Fillings and crowns are dental restorations, and they treat damaged tooth enamel, protecting and strengthening it. When decay damages only the enamel, these procedures are appropriate, and will prolong the tooth’s life without any endodontics being necessary.

However, when decay is more severe, and spreads through the enamel to the next layer, the dentin, and through that to the interior of the tooth, more thorough-going treatment is needed to restore the tooth and avoid having to extract it. This is where endodontics comes into play.

What is a root canal?

A root canal is the space inside a tooth. It is a tunnel, or canal, running down from the tooth’s crown area (visible area) through the root, where the tooth in anchored in the jawbone. The term root canal is used in two senses:

• To refer to this interior vertical space; and
• To refer to treatment of that space.

A tooth’s root canal is not an empty space. It contains what is called the tooth pulp, consisting of the tooth’s nerve, connective tissue, and the blood vessels which nourish it. When you get a toothache, it is because decay and infection have entered the root canal and are affecting the nerve.

Eventually the nerve will die, if no treatment is done, and the toothache will disappear. But the bacteria will continue to spread, infecting the gums and jawbone, and possibly entering the bloodstream to carry the infection elsewhere in the body. This is known as periodontitis (gum disease).

Is a root canal always done when you have a crown?

No. Many times a crown is enough to preserve and protect the damaged tooth. Dr. Coleman would remove all decay and debris from the enamel and dentin layers and place a crown to give the tooth an entire new chewing surface. But when decay has penetrated through all layers to the root canal and destroyed some of the tooth pulp, treatment is required beyond just a crown.

The decay and detritus created by the spreading bacteria must be cleaned out and in the absence of living tooth pulp, a dental cement is used to fill the root canal. Then a porcelain crown is placed to substitute for the lost natural tooth crown.

Is a root canal as painful as they say it is?

No, certainly not. That is an old cliché dating from the days of our grandparents’ dentistry experiences. Modern dentistry has advanced far beyond those days, using sophisticated equipment, lasers, computers, and more refined dental products.

Most modern dentistry is virtually pain-free. It is also quicker, easier to perform, and allows you to participate in it more than our parents or grandparents ever could. Chairside computer monitors, digital cameras, and specialized software programs bring images of your teeth and projected dental work within easy view.

At the Coleman Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, we place high priority on patient education and are always glad to answer questions and explain how things are done. Dr. Coleman can involve you in your dental treatment plans, so that you will understand what is being done and why, and this tends to reduce anxiety. When you feel relaxed and know what’s happening, everything goes more smoothly.

We also offer sedation dentistry. You can take a medication to keep you feeling calm, as well as having local anesthetic. Some people experience a stubborn anxiety at the idea of visiting a dentist, and if you have some of that, we understand and will take extra care to help you relax.

How long will a root canal last?

It will last as long as your tooth lasts. That will be indefinitely if you give it good dental hygiene. If you brush and floss daily, and come for regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning, any potential gum disease will be nipped in the bud. Your gums will remain healthy, the jawbone will not shrink, and teeth will be held strongly in place.

Is there downtime after a root canal?

No. You can resume your day’s activities directly after your procedure is finished. The local anesthetic will gradually wear off, but there will be no need for any painkillers, or anyone to drive you home. However, if you have had sedation dentistry, the medication will keep you somewhat drowsy for a while longer, so you would need someone to drive you home.

Dr. Coleman has been through the rigorous training offered by the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, and is able to offer you excellent cosmetic dentistry and neuromuscular dentistry, as well as general dentistry. At the Coleman Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in the San Diego area, California, we offer a friendly and pleasant environment, with a highly-trained staff to see to your comfort.

Please send us an email or give us a call if you would like to have a complimentary consultation.