Many times we believe that dental problems can be easily resolved in a visit to the dentist every six months for cleanings and perhaps to remove a cavity or two. However, although this is the recommendation, other types of illnesses and problems can arise and require much more intensive and complex treatments, such as endodontics. But what is this surgical process? When is it really needed? We will answer these and other questions in today’s text. Check it out!
What is Endodontics?
We can define endodontics as a branch of dentistry that deals with the tooth pulp, as well as its nerves and blood vessels. However, this is also the name given to the surgery that basically consists of the removal of the nerve inside the pulp chamber and the root canals, the well-known endodontic treatment. If you are not familiar with these terms, don’t worry. We will explain step by step how this type of procedure is carried out, also indicating which areas of the teeth are affected.
How is Endodontics performed?
We can break down endodontics into 3 simple stages. Each one represents a phase of the treatment and is essential for it to be done correctly. These three stages are:
- Coronal Opening
- Root Canal Preparation
- Root Canal Sealing
We will go into more detail on each of these points, explaining the more technical terms and showing you how this type of treatment is carried out at each step.
Coronal Opening
The so-called crown of the tooth is the upper part, which includes several smaller parts, such as dentin and enamel, reaching up to close to the pulp, or root canal. Therefore, the coronal opening phase serves precisely so that the dentist can reach that area.
Root Canal Preparation
As we have already explained, the root canals are nothing more than the pulp of the teeth, tissue that extends all the way to the root and has several nerves and blood vessels. The preparation of the root canals allows the dentist to remove the nerve in question. Before that, a dentist usually removes contents such as debris and microorganisms so the procedure is carried out more cleanly.
Root Canal Sealing
After the nerve is removed, a dentist will “close” the tooth again to prevent any kind of infection or problem. For this, they normally use a special material, which may vary according to their preferences.
When is it necessary?
Endodontics is necessary when the pulp nerve is affected in some way. When this happens, the most common symptom is that the teeth become extremely sensitive to heat, cold, or even touch when chewing. Depending on the case, this can be quite harmful, causing the person to have trouble eating and making it difficult to live fully. Therefore, the recommendation is that as soon as you feel the first symptoms of sensitivity in your teeth, you should see a dentist for evaluation and get treatment as soon as possible, thus avoiding extreme situations like the one just mentioned.
Is Endodontics Painful?
This is one of the main questions that arise when talking about endodontics. The treatment itself is usually not painful, since it is performed with anesthesia applied to the procedure area. Still, the patient may experience some discomfort in the tooth for a few days after the endodontic treatment. If this discomfort is severe, a dentist will prescribe medications to help relieve it. We can then conclude that the greatest pain is what you feel if you don’t treat the nerve problem, since this can affect a person in several ways. Compared to that, the mild pain that may result from the treatment is minor. 
Treatment Results
Endodontics is used for cases at various stages, from those where the problem is just starting to the most complicated ones. Still, the success rate of this type of treatment is quite high, about 95% in most cases. However, for the more severe cases, this rate may decrease considerably, especially if we take into account variables such as whether the teeth have already undergone a similar treatment, if there are chronic infections, or even if the patient’s teeth are very curved or calcified.
Are there alternative treatments?
When the problems you have have not yet reached the tooth pulp, it is possible to resolve them with other types of treatments, such as a filling, for example. However, when the issue reaches the dental pulp, there is no other alternative but endodontics. Only in this way can you save the tooth and restore good oral health. As you could see, dental problems can be much more serious and dangerous than simple cavities. Taking care of dental health is important not only because it can affect your overall health, but also because your own teeth are an important part of your body and deserve this special attention. It is not always necessary to undergo a surgical endodontic procedure, but to avoid that, understanding how to take care of your teeth is essential. As we’ve said, taking this kind of action also means aiming for a better life for yourself.
