Dentists often refer a patient with an injured tooth to an endodontist for evaluation and treatment. If you have an injured tooth, there are several treatment options. Which option makes sense will depend on how severe the damage is. Root canals and extractions are common endodontic procedures. All dentists receive some training in specialized procedures, such as treatments for cracked or loose teeth, but endodontists have additional training and experience. Depending on the nature of the injury, a person with an injured tooth may need treatment from this specialist.
The term "endodontics" refers to the inside of the tooth. This dental specialty is concerned with the soft tissue inside the tooth as well as the hard structure of the tooth and the root. That soft tissue, known as the pulp, contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The enamel is the surface layer of the tooth, which is separated from the pulp by a hard middle layer called dentin.
Dentists tend to focus on treating enamel and dentin. On the other hand, an endodontist focuses on evaluating and treating tooth injuries that penetrate the enamel and dentin. Endodontists routinely treat dislodged, loose, and cracked or fractured teeth with the goal of saving the tooth.
An individual who suffers a tooth injury may undergo one of several endodontic procedures, depending on the nature of the injury. A dislodged (luxated) tooth can often be saved at the office by pushing it back into place. An adult may also need to get a root canal, which is then topped off by a cap or crown.
If the patient has a tooth entirely knocked out, the endodontist can replace the tooth in the socket and apply a splint to stabilize it. Sometimes these teeth can be re-implanted and saved, though they may require a root canal.
A cracked tooth may be treated with a filling or a crown. The choice of a filling or crown depends on how serious the damage is. Those treatments will not work if the pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth has been exposed. These cases require a root canal and a crown or a cap. A tooth that has been severely cracked may need to be extracted, though a crown may also suffice.
Sometimes a fractured tooth is not readily detectable. These root fractures can be repaired by applying a splint, though the odds of success depend on where the fracture happened. If the tooth is fractured below, but near the gum line, saving the tooth may be more likely compared to a fracture down near the root tip. Sometimes a tooth damaged by root fracture has to be extracted.
Sports accidents, falls in the home, and a dozen other causes sometimes cause severe tooth damage that reaches the soft tissue inside the tooth. A general dentist may refer a patient to an endodontist to address such injuries. A cracked, broken, or loose tooth might be saved by splinting or a root canal, or it may have to be extracted.
Request an appointment here: https://www.sheats-endo.com or call Sheats Endodontic Group at (615) 526-2495 for an appointment in our Nashville office.
Regardless of the severity, a cracked tooth requires immediate professional treatment. While minor cracks may only need treatment options like dental bonding, tooth extraction is necessary for severely damaged teeth. However, an endodontist can consider various options that other professionals may not offer. An endodontist usually treats cracked teeth that are too damaged for minor…
An endodontist is the right dentist to see when you have tooth pain. This person focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infections. A root canal is the most common procedure that endodontists perform to repair and save teeth. It is helpful to understand the background of these dentists. Their training helps them to…
In many cases, root canal recovery is even simpler than the procedure itself. Patients who are nervous about their upcoming procedure have nothing to fear, as they will be able to return to their normal lives afterward. A root canal is an essential procedure that entails saving a patient’s tooth and keeping it functional over…
A broken tooth is typically something that you will want to have addressed immediately. While not every break in a tooth is considered an emergency, most of the time, it is ideal to take action as soon as possible. The type of break in the tooth will likely determine the necessary action. However, in order…
Regardless of the severity, a cracked tooth requires immediate professional treatment. While minor cracks may only need treatment options like dental bonding, tooth extraction is necessary for severely damaged teeth. However, an endodontist can consider various options that other professionals may not offer. An endodontist usually treats cracked teeth that are too damaged for minor…
An endodontist is the right dentist to see when you have tooth pain. This person focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infections. A root canal is the most common procedure that endodontists perform to repair and save teeth. It is helpful to understand the background of these dentists. Their training helps them to…