Endodontics: everything you need to know
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Endodontics, what it is and how it is done
An endodontics consists of eliminating the "nerve" that is the pulp tissue that is contained inside the tooth. The objective is to keep the tooth in the mouth so that it continues to perform its functions of chewing and aesthetics and thus avoid having to be extracted.
Endodontics is performed when the nerve is affected by deep caries or trauma fundamentally, although sometimes what is tried with the treatment is, precisely, not the removal of the nerve, but on the contrary, keep the nerve alive to treat it young teeth, for example, can complete their growth and reach a normal shape and function.
Endodontics may also be needed when the teeth are to be carved to subsequently place crowns or bridges, as well as on teeth that have problems related to the gum.
The only alternative to endodontics is tooth extraction .
Symptoms of a damaged nerve
- The tooth becomes sensitive to cold, heat, sweetness, chewing.
- It presents pain that can be constant or intermittent, sometimes very intense, and located in the same tooth or displaced towards other locations of the head.
- The tooth can change color .
- A phlegmon appears.
- The patient may have general malaise and even fever .
Endodontics step by step
After locally anesthetizing the area, a cavity is made to access the inside of the tooth. Then the root canals are cleaned and filled with a suitable material. Finally a filling is placed. It will be necessary to use x-rays to perform the procedure. Depending on the previous state of the tooth and the anatomy it presents, one or more sessions may be necessary. The important thing is to achieve the intended goal with the treatment, although the professional will explain the particularities of the specific case.
The endodontic treatment is not painful because it is done under the effect of local anesthetics. Once the endodontics has been completed and the effect of the anesthesia has passed, some discomfort may appear during chewing for a few days due to the irritation of the periodontal tissue surrounding the root.. In these cases, proper medication is required.
Care after endodontics
An endodonced tooth should be maintained with the same hygiene, prevention and periodic care as any other tooth. It must be borne in mind that due to the individual circumstances of each patient in terms of health, hygiene, bruxist habits or inadequate tightening, among other factors, an endodontised tooth can suffer the same as the rest of the teeth , indicating the professional in each concrete case the most indicated restoration for each situation with the aim of preventing fractures.
