Symptoms of Endodontic Problems

• Inflammation and tenderness in the gums
• Increased tooth sensitivity
• Tenderness when chewing and biting
• Tooth discoloration.
• Unexplained pain in the nearby lymph nodes

Common Endodontic Procedures

Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is a common endodontic treatment performed to save your natural teeth and prevent the need for advanced restorations. The process usually requires two appointments. Our dentists will first numb the tooth and place a rubber dam around it. An access opening is made on the tooth’s surface, and root canal files are inserted into the opening to remove the diseased pulp, bacteria, and nerve tissue. Once the tooth is carefully cleaned, it will be covered with a temporary filling.

During the next appointment, the roots and the inside chamber of the tooth will be filled with a special medicated substance. Then a filling will be placed to close the opening on the tooth’s surface. After treatment, your tooth may still feel sensitive, but this will ease as the swelling reduces and the tooth has healed.

Endodontic Retreatment

With efficient care, your tooth treated with root canal therapy will last long. However, sometimes, a tooth that has undergone treatment continues to ache or fail to heal. The pain may recur months or years after treatment, thus needing endodontic retreatment.

Oral Trauma

We specialize in oral trauma and can often save teeth that have been injured in accidents or sports-related activities. Traumatic injuries include root fractures and teeth that have chipped, dislodged, or been completely knocked out and should be seen immediately by a dental professional.

Cracked Teeth

Whether your tooth has incurred a crack due to an injury or general wear and tear, you can experience various symptoms, including intense pain when you chew your food, to sudden pain when your tooth is exposed to very hot or cold foods.

The treatment outcome for your tooth depends on the crack’s location, and extent of damage. The earlier your tooth is treated, the better the result. Once treated, most cracked teeth function efficiently, giving you years of pain-free biting and chewing.

Endodontic Surgery

Endodontic surgery is performed to detect fractures or hidden canals that are not seen in an X-ray but cause immense toothache. The compromised root surfaces or the surrounding bone may also be addressed with this surgery, also referred to as an apicoectomy.

To learn more about our endodontic treatments, visit our Dental Arts of Boston office at 26 Marlborough St Dental Suite, Boston MA, 02116. You can also reach us at (617) 266-0441 and schedule an appointment.