An endodontist, for the uninitiated, specializes in treating conditions that concern dental pulp. Usually, dentists can perform basic endodontic treatments, and when they feel that the patient needs more elaborate and specialized care, they will recommend seeing an endodontist. If you are visiting a Richmond family dentistry clinic, ask if they offer endodontic care. In this post, we are sharing some key signs that you need to see an endodontist.
- Pain in a tooth. If you have a toothache that refuses to get better despite taking medicines periodically, you need to check with an endodontist to determine whether the decay is deep inside. This may require a root canal treatment; if that is not possible, the dentist may also recommend an extraction.
- Continuous pain after professional cleaning. Because professional cleaning removes debris and plaque, you may feel some sensitivity in your gums. However, if there is pain that doesn’t seem normal, consult an endodontist immediately. There may be an undiagnosed cavity.
- Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods. While it is okay to feel the brain freeze when having ice cream, continuous teeth sensitivity to hot or cold foods is not a good sign. In some cases, endodontic procedures might be required to fix the concern, and your dentist will do a detailed examination to find the root cause. Besides a deep infection, it could be a sign of weaker teeth enamel.
- Swelling in the gums. If you have swelling around a tooth or there is inflammation of the gums, you must consult an endodontist immediately. This could be an infection of the tooth pulp, which can only cause more issues if not treated. The infection can even impact the jawbone. Depending on the diagnosis, the endodontist may recommend RCT.
- Severe discoloration of a tooth. Certain foods, including wine, coffee, and tea, can stain our teeth, but if you find that there is an unusual discoloration of one tooth, check with your dentist. It could be a sign of an infection, which is possibly progressing fast and would eventually end up causing inflammation of the gums.
Timely endodontic care can help avoid an extraction that is likely to be more painful. Also, if you remove the tooth, you will have to go for dental implants or dentures, which are expensive options. Get an appointment with your endodontist today.