ENDODONTICS
endodontics
Root Canal Therapy
It begins with tooth decay
Tooth decay can extend down into the soft tissue layer of your tooth called the pulp causing the it to become infected.
What is the pulp?
Under the white enamel and hard layer called dentin, the center of your tooth is what we call pulp. The pulp is a collection of blood vessels that feed and build the surrounding tooth. When you experience tooth trauma, decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures, the pulp can become infected.
Followed by pain
An infected pulp will cause pain and can also result in an abscessed tooth when infection and swelling develops in the tissues around or beneath the tooth.
And the need for a root canal
When the pulp becomes infected or the tooth becomes abscessed, it is necessary to perform a root canal to relieve pain and save the tooth.
Root Canal Therapy
Designed to remove nerves from the infected pulp of a tooth, root canal therapy eliminates infection and pain while also reducing the chance of future infection. After the root canal therapy is complete, you will need to have a crown or other restoration placed to further protect the tooth and restore its normal function.
Saving Your Natural Teeth
Over 15 million root canals are performed every year to save natural teeth and prevent the need for dental implants or bridges. Saving your natural teeth is always the goal as it is the best option for your optimal oral health and our goal at Lakeshore Dental Specialists.
Do I need a Root Canal?
If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, you may need a root canal:
- Persistent Pain in tooth, jaw, face, bone
- Tooth discoloration (gray or black)
- Sensitivity to Hot or Cold (sharp pain or dull ache)
- Cracked or Chipped Tooth
- Swelling or Gum Tenderness near painful tooth
- Bump-like pimples near painful tooth
- Tooth movement
Periapical Surgery
Periapical Surgery
When a root canal won’t save your tooth, we perform an apicoectomy or root-end resection.
Endodontic microscopic surgery can be used to locate fractures or hidden canals that do not appear on x-rays but still manifest pain in the tooth. Damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone may also be treated with this procedure.
What is Periapical Surgery?
A microscopic surgery designed to save your tooth and restore full function.
Our specialists at Lakeshore Dental Specialists make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the bone and surrounding inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is removed along with the end of the root tip. A root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root and the gum is sutured. The bone naturally heals around the root over a period of months restoring full function.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
You can expect some discomfort or slight swelling during healing.
This is normal for any surgical procedure. To alleviate any discomfort, an appropriate pain medication will be recommended. If you have pain that does not respond to medication, please call our office.
Dental Injuries & Emergencies
Life happens and so do dental emergencies. We know they can be stressful and painful. That's why Lakeshore Dental Specialists in Eastpointe, MI offers emergency dental care to help you get compassionate care you need when you need it most.
Persistent Toothache
Pain is the body's way of telling you that something is wrong. While some tooth pain can be caused by relatively harmless tooth sensitivity, it can also be a sign of a serious problem. If your pain lasts more than a day, please contact us.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency, and you should contact Lakeshore Dental Specialists in Eastpointe, MI immediately.
* If you have a knocked-out tooth, be careful not to touch the roots. If you can, insert the tooth back into the open socket in your gums. Do not force the tooth into the socket. If you cannot put the tooth back, then hold it between your gums and cheek on the way to the dentist's office. Do not rinse it or transport it in water.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
A severe break or chip in a tooth can leave your tooth susceptible to infection. This requires prompt treatment to seal and repair the tooth.
Lost Dental Crown or Filling
Losing a dental crown or filling also compromises the integrity of a tooth. It weakens the tooth structure and can also leave it vulnerable to infection.
Abscess
An abscess is a sign of an advanced bacterial infection. This can cause severe pain and swelling in and around your mouth. Without proper treatment with antibiotics, these kinds of infections can spread, leading to serious, even life-threatening, complications.
Post-Extraction or Surgery Complications
Uncontrolled bleeding, a dry socket (dislodged blood clot), or signs of an infection following a tooth extraction or oral surgery require prompt attention and treatment to ensure proper healing and prevent further complications.
WE CAN’T WAIT TO MEET YOU
Call 586-777-0260 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.