Despite the fact that enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it’s not indestructible. If proper dental hygiene isn’t maintained – including brushing, flossing, and routine cleanings – bacteria in the mouth can break through a tooth’s enamel and infect the vulnerable pulp chamber inside. This is root canal pathology or dental pulp infection.

Other times, traumatic injuries can cause teeth to fracture, exposing the pulp to bacteria that is otherwise kept at bay by healthy enamel. In both cases, the infected pulp must be removed in order to save the tooth and protect its functionality. This is accomplished through endodontic treatment,  also known as root canal treatement.

Because the pulp chamber houses the blood vessels, veins, and nerve tissue inside of each tooth, infection can often have painful consequences, including:

• a severe toothache
• continuous pain
• sensitivity to hot and cold
• pain when you bite

Many people also experience swollen gums, bad breath, and a bitter taste in their mouth. However, it’s important to realize that symptoms might not always be present or noticeable. Just because you feel fine doesn’t mean your teeth are fine. You may have an infection and not feel it at all. Regular trips to your dentist are the best way to ensure you detect infection or the threat of infection before your condition worsens.

The sequence of treatment required to save an infected tooth is called endodontic therapy; however, most people know this set of procedures by its more common name: a root canal. While many patients dread even the possibility of undergoing a root canal, modern tools and methods have made the process close to painless. The majority of Dr. Lepore’s patients express surprise at having felt little to no discomfort during the procedure.

Dr. Lepore uses technology that allows him to efficiently measure the dimensions of the root canal and then clean and fill the tooth’s interior precisely with the aid of an endodontic microscope. The majority of root canal procedures can be completed in one dental visit, lasting anywhere from 1-2 hours. More complex procedures may require multiple visits.

No matter how much advancement has been made in recent years to improve dental implants, your natural teeth are still unsurpassed when it comes to durability and longevity. Instead of extracting a tooth at the first sign of infection and replacing it with an implant, endodontists seek to preserve and restore your original teeth as much as possible, keeping them functional and healthy for many years to come. It’s important to remember that the success rate of root canal therapy is just as high as the success rate of dental implants.

If you live in the Rochester or Finger Lakes, New York area and are in need of endodontic treatment, please contact endodontist Dr. John Lepore and his exceptional team today to schedule an initial consultation. Advanced Endodontic Solutions, saving smiles with advanced technology and care.