Terms to Know When Seeing a Root Canal Specialist

When you need a root canal to save your tooth, one of the first things that will happen is that you’ll learn a lot of new endodontic terms. Your endodontist in Richardson wants you to have a complete understanding of your situation, which is why they won’t shy away from using medical terms to accurately describe everything that needs to happen. To make sure you can follow along and make informed decisions about your care, take the time to learn the terms listed below before the day of your first endodontic visit.

Endodontics

Endodontics is a specialty field within dentistry that focuses on the health of the inside of the tooth – specifically the soft, nerve-filled tissue known as the pulp. An endodontist has spent 2 to 3 years of training in addition to regular dental school so that they can focus on saving teeth with root canal therapy.

Dental Pulp

The pulp contains all the tooth’s blood vessels and nerves, and it’s normally protected by the dentin and enamel layers. If these protective barriers are damaged, the pulp could be infected and could eventually die.

Pulpitis

This is the scientific name for damaged pulp. On a few rare occasions, pulpitis can be treated or even reversed. More often than not, though, root canal therapy is your only option.

Abscess

If pulpitis becomes extremely advanced, a growth called an abscess could form, causing the gums to swell and leading to severe symptoms. Once an abscess has appeared, you likely only have a limited amount of time to try and save the tooth.

Root Canal Therapy

You’ve probably heard of this procedure, but you might not know exactly what it entails. Root canal therapy is simply the process of removing sick dental pulp along with any bacteria or infection present in the tooth. At the end of the treatment, the tooth is filled with a special material and is resealed with a crown.

Apicoectomy

This is a follow-up treatment that might be performed after root canal therapy. It’s only necessary when the original treatment didn’t completely remove the infection or if a new infection developed afterwards. Apicoectomy involves removing the tip of the tooth’s root along with any inflamed or infected tissue nearby.

Extraction

Removing a tooth is typically referred to as an extraction. It’s also a possible solution for stopping an infection as well as the associated pain, but it’s normally only recommended when a tooth is beyond the point of being salvageable.

These are just a few examples. Your endodontist is likely to use a few other terms related to the root canal procedure and the anatomy of the tooth. If at any point you’re unsure about something that’s said during your visit, feel free to ask.

About the Author

Dr. Javier Ortiz is our endodontist at EPO Dental Specialists. He completed his specialty training at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, where he learned about performing complex root canal treatments and retreatments as well as endodontic surgery. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ortiz or learn more about the root canal process, get in touch with us through our website or call (972) 479-1200.