Endodontics in Clovis, CA
When you feel the slight stinging discomfort of a potential cavity, you should make an appointment with our dentists to have your teeth examined. Ignoring a cavity can cause decay to spread deeper into your tooth, requiring an endodontic procedure, such as root canal therapy. The decay could also spread to your gums and other teeth if you neglect it.
What is Endodontics?
Endodontics is a specialty in dentistry that takes care of the inside of teeth. While a new cavity starts from the outside, decay can enter a tooth and spread deep into it. Decay that breaches the pulp will need a root canal to remove decay, infection and reshape the canals.
Along with root canals, dentists who have this specialty training perform other procedures such as:
- Serious dental injuries
- Dental implants
- Retreatment of root canals
This specialty primarily helps to save teeth when possible or, as in the case of dental implants, restore teeth so that patients can chew food properly and have great smiles again.
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is a primary treatment for which endodontists are known. This procedure involves working inside the tooth to remove decay, sterilize the inside, reshape the canals, and repack the tooth. While most people don’t look forward to this procedure, it is often necessary to prevent losing a tooth.
Thanks to dental technology, this procedure is as painless as possible, and our dentists can prescribe pain medications to keep teeth from hurting as they heal. Some indication that you may need to make an appointment with one of our endodontic dentists are:
- Lingering sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks
- Sharp, intense discomfort when chewing or biting down on a tooth
- Darkening gums
- Loose teeth
- Gum swelling
- Broken or cracked tooth near gumline
If you have any of these symptoms, please call our office to make an appointment with our dentists. They can examine your teeth, make a treatment plan, and answer any questions you have about the procedure. Although you may be nervous, we will keep you comfortable while saving your tooth.
