What is Endodontics? Endodontist Sterling Heights

Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that deals with the treatment of the dental nerve inside of the tooth. The therapy is commonly known as root canal therapy and involves diseases of the dental pulp which is commonly known as the nerve. Procedures done with Endodontics are done within the root system of the tooth. A root canal means that something inside of the tooth, for one reason or another, is failing. This can also mean there is an infection of the root canal system from bacteria in the mouth. Another reason a root canal might be needed is that the bone may be dissolved outside the root due to something going wrong inside the canal system.

The dental pulp, also known as the nerve, can become damaged through a variety of different causes. Damage can occur from trauma from the tooth being banged or fractured, or it can come from the constant forces that a tooth will take as the individual chews over a number of years. Infection may be due to the nerve breaking down for no reason at all, or a large area of decay that has allowed the bacteria to reach the nerve inside the tooth and caused it to become infected. The typical signs of needing a root canal or endodontic treatment involve the following: swelling, pain, pain upon lying down, unsolicited pain, and pain upon chewing. Pain after root canal treatment usually comes from the source, the ligament that surrounds the tooth. However, it is unlikely to have pain after the root canal due to the infected tissue being removed.

During an endodontic consultation appointment x-rays will be taken of the area, an oral examination will be done, and the clinical impressions and options that the patient may have will be thoroughly discussed with the patient.

The cost of a root canal procedure is based upon the anticipated difficulty of the therapy. Root canal cost starts at approximately $600 or more. This depends on the number of canals, the location of the tooth, the size and shape of the canals, and the difficulty anticipated in completing the procedure thoroughly.

With very few exceptions most teeth can be treated endodontically. Unfortunately some teeth, in a very small percentage of cases have nerves that are so twisted or so small that a root canal therapy may not be possible. Alternative treatments to root canal therapy usually involve the removal of the tooth and the replacement of the tooth, either with an implant and a crown, or with a removable or fixed partial denture or bridge work.

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