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Welcome to our dental clinic where we provide comprehensive information about endodontics, the specialised field of dentistry concerned with the study and treatment of the dental pulp. Endodontics (from the Greek roots 'endo'—"inside" and 'odont'—"tooth") plays a crucial role in preserving dental health and ensuring the longevity of your teeth.
Endodontics encompasses the study (practice) of the basic and clinical sciences of normal dental pulp, diagnosis, prevention, the etiology and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental pulp along with associated periradicular conditions.
In clinical terms, Endodontics involves either preserving part, or all of the dental pulp in health, or removing all of the pulp in irreversible disease.
This includes teeth with irreversibly inflamed and infected pulpal tissue. Not only does endodontics involve treatment when a dental pulp is present, but also includes preserving teeth which have failed to respond to non-surgical endodontic treatment, or for teeth that have developed new lesions, e.g., when root canal re-treatment is required, or periradicular surgery.
Endodontic treatment is one of the most common procedures. If the dental pulp (containing nerves and blood vessels, arterioles, venules,lymphatic tissue, and fibrous tissue) becomes diseased or injured, Endodontic treatment is required to save the tooth.
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You will need root canal treatment if the soft tissue at the centre of the tooth (known as pulp) has become infected or damaged. This can happen through a number of reasons, but generally happens when there’s been a breach in the hard structure of the tooth by decay or trauma which allows bacteria to enter and infect the vulnerable pulp, causing a root canal infection or dental abscess.The symptoms of an infected tooth can vary, but the signs to be aware of are:
● Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold (particularly hot);
● Spontaneous pain;
● Sleep disturbance because of the pain;
● Swelling of the gum adjacent to the tooth;
● Pain or tenderness when you bite on a tooth;
● Discolouration of the tooth.
In cases where root canal therapy might not be the most suitable option, or for patients seeking alternatives to root canal treatment, our experienced endodontist, Dr. Daiva Pitkauskiene, will work closely with you to explore the best alternatives for your specific dental condition.Your oral health and comfort are our top priorities, and we are dedicated to finding the right solution that meets your needs.
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The endodontist examines and takes a radiograph of the tooth using x-rays, then administers local anaesthetic. After the tooth is numb, the endodontist places a small protective sheet called a “dental dam” over the area to isolate the tooth and keep it clean and free of saliva during the dental treatment.
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The endodontist makes an opening in the crown of the tooth. Very small instruments are used to clean the pulp from the pulp chamber and root canals and to shape the space for filling.
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After space is cleaned and shaped, the endodontist fills the root canals with a biocompatible material, usually a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. The gutta-percha is placed with an adhesive cement to ensure complete sealing of the root canal system. In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening. The temporary filling will be removed by your dentist before the tooth is restored.
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After the final visit with your endodontist, you must return to your dentist to have a crown or other restoration placed on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function.
If the tooth lacks sufficient structure to hold the restoration in place, your dentist or endodontist may place a post inside the tooth. Ask your dentist or endodontist for more details about the specific restoration planned for your tooth.
Root canal treatment involves a precise and skillful approach that aims to eliminate pain, prevent further infection, and promote the longevity of the tooth. Our experienced endodontist, Dr. Daiva Pitkauskiene, is dedicated to ensuring a comfortable and effective treatment experience,offering you the best possible outcome for your oral health.
With proper care, even teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime.
But sometimes, a tooth that has been treated doesn't heal properly and can become painful or diseased months or even years after treatment. If your tooth failed to heal or develops new problems, you have a second chance. An additional procedure with a high success rate may be able to support healing and save your tooth.
If you have pain or discomfort in a previously treated tooth, get in touch with us about re-treatment.
If nonsurgical re-treatment is not an option, then endodontic microsurgery should be considered. This surgery involves making an incision to allow access to the tip of the root. Endodontic surgery may also be recommended in conjunction with re-treatment or as an alternative dental procedure. Your endodontist will discuss your options and recommend appropriate treatment.
It’s possible that a nonsurgical root canal procedure won’t be enough to save your tooth and that your Endodontist will recommend surgery.
Endodontic surgery can be used to locate small fractures or hidden canals previously undetected on X-rays during the initial treatment. Surgery may also be needed to remove calcium deposits in root canals, or to treat damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone of the tooth.
There are many surgical procedures that can be performed to save a tooth. The most common is called an apicectomy, or root-end resection, which may be needed when inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after a root canal procedure.
Your Endodontist performs this micro surgical procedure first making you comfortable by applying local anaesthesia before opening the gum tissue near the tooth to see the underlying bone and to remove any inflamed or infected tissue. The very end of the root is also removed. A small filling is placed to seal the end of the root canal and a few stitches or sutures are placed to help the tissue heal. In the next few months, the bone will heal around the end of the root. Most patients return to their normal activities the next day. Post-surgical discomfort is generally mild.
Although all dentists are trained to treat and diagnose simple diseases of the pulp, patients are referred to an endodontist when the case is more complicated to ensure the best predictable result are achieved.
Specialist endodontists have 2-4 years of additional post-graduate training and more experience than general dentists. They use advanced equipment that general dentists may not use. Seeing a specialist endodontist provides the best chance of saving your tooth.
Because endodontists limit their practice solely to endodontic treatment, they are efficient and precise. This equates to a more predictable outcome, a positive pain-free experience and faster healing.
Using state-of-the-art technology, operating microscopes, digital imaging, CBCT scan, ultrasonic and Ni-Ti rotary instrumentation allows to treat patients quickly and comfortably.
The microscope used during treatment enables the treatment to be carried out with a high degree of accuracy. A further advantage is that high magnification allows endodontists to treat the small internal anatomy of teeth without taking away too much tooth structure, or causing additional damage.
Evidence-based studies show that endodontists achieve greater successes due to their experience, expertise and equipment.
Many patients are worried about root canal treatment but today, getting root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than having a filling. Dr Daiva Pitkauskiene is an expert at ensuring you feel comfortable throughout your treatment.
Your root canal treatment appointment will take from 1 to 2 hours. In more complex or severely infected cases, you may need an additional visit.
It is absolutely normal to experience some degree of discomfort after root canal procedure. Usually it resolved within a couple days and you may need to take anti- inflammatory medication for a couple of days.
Very rarely you may have pain or swelling, when antibiotics prescription will be required.
Periapical surgery or extraction and implant.
Find answers to some frequently asked questions and queries here.
If you’d like to speak to us, please fill out our enquiry form; alternatively, please email us at info@wsendodontics.co.uk or give us a call at 0203 917 1003.
