Endodontics

Endodontics is the name given to treatments of the inside of your teeth, the nerve or root. Most people know this procedure as a root canal, but the name has come to have such bad connotations that people prefer the term endodontics. The modern endodontic procedure is much gentler than in the past, something no one need fear.

At Beautiful Smiles by Design Dr. Chikwava and our compassionate dental team use the gentlest and most modern practices available to give you the best endodontic treatment that is also the best dental experience possible. If you’ve been avoiding root canal treatment out of fear, please come in and talk to us–we’ll show you why the procedure is needed and help you understand how gentle it can be.

Why Endodontics?

Your teeth are made of three basic parts. On the outside is the enamel, which gives your teeth their hardness and brilliant luster. Inside the enamel is the dentin, which is yellowish in color, and softer but tougher than the enamel, helping your teeth withstand the crushing forces of chewing. Inside the dentin is the tooth nerve, sometimes called the pulp, which has a chamber in the upper part of the tooth but extends down through root canals to join to the living tissue in your jawbone.

The nerve is vital for the growth of a tooth, but once the tooth is grown, it is not necessary. However, it is vulnerable to attack by bacteria. Once bacteria get entry to your tooth nerve, you will likely experience significant pain and the bacteria can use the tooth as a means to attack your jawbone or skull.

An endodontic procedure removes all the nerve material from a tooth along with the invading bacteria. Then the nerve chamber is filled and the tooth is covered with a dental crown.

Why Choose Beautiful Smiles by Design

Most dentists can perform a root canal procedure, but many will avoid anything but the simplest cases and refer many root canals to endodontists. An endodontist is a specialist in performing root canals and should be used in the most complicated cases, but a referral to an endodontist is an extra hassle. You will have to transfer your records, get another exam, often another set of x-rays, and at the end of it you will have to return to your dentist for the crown. And, depending on your insurance, you will have either additional bureaucracy to deal with or a large bill, sometimes both.

Dr. Chikwava has the training, experience, and confidence in performing endodontics, and will refer you to an endodontist only if absolutely necessary. He will also work hard to ensure your dental crown is as attractive as cosmetic dentistry can make it.

To learn more about our experience with root canals, please contact Beautiful Smiles by Design for an appointment

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