The Three Common Endodontic Procedures
Endodontists like Dr. Shawn Velez at Advanced Endodontics of Aiken SC specialize in diagnosing, preventing and treating infections inside a tooth. Dental conditions don’t just affect the outside of your tooth but can penetrate to affect the pulp. Endodontists complete an additional two or more years of training after completing four years of dental school, focusing exclusively on diagnosing tooth pain, root canal therapy and other procedures related to the center of the tooth.
Here are the three procedures Dr. Velez performs most often to diagnose and treat tooth pain and infection.
Root Canals
Root canals are the most common endodontic procedure. This process is necessary for patients with infection in a tooth and is done to save the tooth and restore its function. After the patient receives local anesthesia, Dr. Velez makes a tiny access hole in the crown or the back of the infected tooth to remove all the infection inside. He cleans the inside of the tooth and disinfects it before filling and sealing it with a special biocompatible dental cement. Dr. Velez uses the GentleWave procedure for a less invasive procedure with better results.
Apicoectomy
Apicoectomies become necessary for patients who may not resolve their tooth problems after undergoing root canals. In this procedure, the endodontist eliminates the point of the tooth’s core and seals it again for security. The endodontist may make a small incision in the gums to access the tooth’s root instead of drilling a hole in the tooth.
Cracked Teeth Treatment
Cracked teeth need treatment if patients intend to preserve their natural teeth. Leaving cracks untreated results in tooth loss. Endodontists provide various options for treating cracked teeth. They include fillings, dental crowns, and endodontic surgery. You should not leave cracked teeth in your mouth because it is an invitation for bacteria in your mouth to penetrate the tooth and destroy it from within.
Save your teeth with Advanced Endodontics of Aiken
When you need an endodontist in Aiken, contact the experts at Advanced Endodontics. Dr. Velez works to save your natural teeth and uses GentleWave technology for root canals with better success and less pain.