Debra A. Meadows, DDS

For some patients, it becomes necessary to insert a post into their tooth to help hold their new crown in place. We’ll let you know if your tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the crown on its own.

There are a variety of factors that can cause a tooth’s pulp to become diseased. These include deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, a faulty crown, or a crack or chip in the tooth.

Very deep fillings can sometimes cause tooth pain. If the cavity has penetrated much of the dentin and the filling is situated close to the nerve, it can cause mild to severe tooth sensitivity along with inflammation of the pulp.

Some indications that you may need a root canal are a painful, swollen, or sensitive tooth, since these symptoms are typically a result of a dead, decayed, or infected nerve (pulp) inside the canals of your tooth.

What is an endodontic retreatment? This is a procedure that will be carried out if a further root canal is needed. This is only for special cases, but if a root canal is not properly handled by a professional, a retreatment will be needed.

At the end of the day, keeping your own real teeth is always the desired option if possible and root canals make this possible. An artificial tooth can sometimes mean avoiding certain foods for the rest of your life.

During endodontic treatment, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed, the canal is cleaned and shaped, and the space is then filled and sealed. Your regular dentist will fashion and place a crown over the repaired tooth.

One of the most famous dentists in history was the outlaw Doc Holliday. Holliday attended the Pennsylvania School of Dentistry in the late 19th Century and started a dental practice in the Western territory.

Endodontic treatment provides an opportunity to save a tooth. Despite all modern advances, there is no substitute for a natural tooth. When an adult tooth is removed it may need to be replaced with a substitute to keep adjacent teeth from shifting and causing further problems.

How can a dentist or endodontist tell if I need the root canal procedure? After you make an appointment, the dentist will examine the area and take an x-ray. If the dentist finds the area is infected or damaged, he or she might recommend the procedure.

An endodontist is someone who has completed dental school and then studied an additional two years specifically in the field of endodontics. All endodontists must be licensed in the state in which they practice.

Did you know that, over the long-term, endodontic treatments have been shown to be highly effective? In fact, with proper care, most teeth that have undergone a root canal can last as long as the rest of the natural teeth in the mouth.

It’s important to realize that a tooth that’s undergone a root canal is not necessarily immune to decay. Thus, you need to continue properly brushing and flossing that tooth to avoid further problems down the road.