If the pulp or soft tissue inside the root canal becomes infected endodontic treatment may be necessary. The infection can be caused by deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack in the tooth. An injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection goes untreated it can lead to an abscess.
Endodontic treatment can be done in adult (permanent) or baby (primary) teeth. Even though baby teeth will eventually fall out, fixing them is recommended unless they would normally fall out soon. Baby teeth are important for speaking, chewing, and also holding spaces for the permanent teeth that replace them. If a baby tooth is lost too soon teeth nearby can move into the empty space, which could block the permanent tooth from coming in or cause it to grow in tilted.
The type of endodontic treatment can depend on how badly the pulp is affected. Treatment can be based on an examination, X-ray results, and your child’s history of pain.
Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. For the first few days after treatment the tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow the endodontist’s instructions carefully. The tooth may continue to feel slightly different from the other teeth for some time after the endodontic treatment is completed. However, if there is severe pain or pressure pain that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist.
New trauma, deep decay, or a loose, cracked or broken filling can cause new infection in the tooth. In some cases, the endodontist may discover additional narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during the initial procedure.
Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth can’t be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have sufficient bone support, or the tooth cannot be restored. However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost. When endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.
