Endodontic Treatment - continued

One characteristic of this tissue is that it is poor at healing itself if it becomes injured. Since the only way for your blood supply to get to the tissue in your tooth is through tiny openings in the end of the roots, inflammation and increased pressure in this tissue are harder to correct. The injuries that occur to this tissue from cavities, deep fillings, cracks, and trauma tend to add up over a lifetime, and can reach a point when the body can no longer eliminate the inflammation. The inflammation then causes pain and discomfort, and if left untreated, usually leads to death of this tissue. Once the tissue dies, an infection usually follows which can spread out the root ends and cause a jaw infection or "abscess". Abscesses are usually related to pain and swelling, but can exist without any symptoms other than showing up on a dental X-ray film.

To solve this problem, the endodontist removes the inflamed or infected tissue and cleans the hollow space in the tooth to remove all remnants and bacteria present. Once this space is emptied, cleansed, and shaped, it can be filled with a biocompatible material to seal this space from any entry of bacteria in the future.

Dr. Cruci is a Registered Specialist in Endodontics. This treatment is carried out at the practice for our own patients and those referred in by over fifty other dentists.