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A root canal treatment can be described as a procedure to save a tooth by taking out an inflamed or damaged nerve within the pulp. 

Root canals are suggested to save teeth with broken or decayed pulp. If you fracture your tooth or develop a deep cavity that can’t be treated with a standard filling. Both of these conditions let the bacteria in your mouth get into the pulp, which could cause a devastating swelling, infection, or death of your pulp’s essential tissues.

A root canal treatment can be performed by your general dentist or by a specialist referred to as an endodontist.

This blog will look at how endodontists are different from general dentists.

When should you see an Endodontist?

If your tooth is severely damaged or recommended to be extracted, that’s the right time to visit an endodontist. They strive to preserve your tooth using special techniques. They can diagnose and determine the treatment plan for complex cases according to the severity. Most general dentists refer an endodontist to patients for complex conditions.

An Endodontic Specialist has many capabilities that make them more valuable. Some qualifications are listed below.

A Root Canal Expert

As specialists with expertise, they dedicate their time to diagnosing and treating tooth pain. Their expertise can also identify the source of facial and oral pain that has been difficult to identify.

Advanced Education

A specialist in endodontics has between two and three years of training in an advanced course in endodontics, which covers issues with the pulp of the teeth and how an experienced endodontist can be treating these Dentures

Pain Management

A specialist in endodontics is skilled in the management of anaesthesia. They employ specialised techniques to ensure that patients are at ease during their procedure. Following the root canals treatment, they ensure the patient is free of tooth pain, pulp infections or inflammation.

Advanced Technology

Endodontists employ materials and devices such as Digital Radiographs and 3-D images to view the intricate details of your root canal infection. Endodontists employ dental microscopes to view the root canals clearly and manage the conditions.

Root Canal Procedure – Performed by an Endodontist

A root canal might seem like a lengthy procedure for many. Many may be a bit tired due to the hassle of multiple appointments to get a single root canal. This section discusses the aspects that affect the number of visits required to finish the procedure.

One Visit Root Canal Treatment

Sometimes, the entire process of root canals can be done in a single visit. If the Endodontist decides to clean form, shape, fill, with bond in just one visit, it could take a little longer to finish the process. However, it is possible to complete the procedure in one visit.

Two Visits Root Canal Treatment

The most popular method used by Endodontists involves a two-visit root canal. The first visit is when patients are anesthetised. The root canals are opened, cleaned and shaped using a special needle-like instrument. Then, the anti-bacterial medication is inserted into the canals according to the signs of the severity of the infection.

In the next appointment and could be within 1 to 3 weeks after the first appointment. Inert fillers are used to seal and stop bacterial growth in the canals. After that, the tooth is restored using a composite bond to give it an additional amount of strength. A cap is placed later on based on the patient’s preferences. 

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Multiple Visits Root Canal Treatment

In rare instances, the tooth is susceptible, and the patient presents with swelling around the tooth. This situation may require multiple visits to cleanse the root canal and remove the infection. The procedure is the same as the previous one, with the only difference being that the root canal needs to be cleaned for a longer period to eliminate this abscess entirely. Your Endodontist might put anti-bacterial medicine in the tooth during every visit.

How Does the Endodontist Choose the Best Technique?

The level of infection determines the length of time needed for the root canal are swelling, and tenderness. If the infection is severe, the Endodontist will schedule several visits. If dental nerve tissue is exposed by a dental procedure or the condition is restricted to a limited area of the tissue, a single-visit or two-visit procedure is safe to be undertaken by the dentist.