Frequently Asked Questions About Endodontic Emergencies

The doctors  at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio are the leaders in San Antonio and South Texas in  preserving damaged teeth due to progressive decay or traumatic injuries. Dr. Rick Davis, Dr. Rick Schwartz and Dr. Zac Liang  are experts at diagnosing and treating teeth that are cracked, loose, displaced, or otherwise damaged. Our specialists are experts at relieving pain, eliminating infection, and restoring teeth to health. 

What are some of the common injuries?

Children (and sometimes adults) experience facial trauma that often includes  injuries to the teeth, including fractures, loosening and sometimes avulsion (the tooth is completely “knocked out”).  This often occurs during sports activities and requires specific treatment protocols to save the teeth. 

One manifestation of trauma may be cracking of a tooth or teeth. If the tooth remains intact, other than the crack, this is referred to as cracked tooth syndrome (CTS) and may manifest as: 

• Sudden, sharp  pain when biting down
• Sharp and brief pain when the affected tooth comes in contact with something cold
• Discomfort when chewing tough and grainy foods
• Tooth sensitivity when drinking and eating sweet or acidic drinks and foods

How do you treat CTS and other injuries?

The extent of the crack will determine the appropriate treatment. Craze lines, which only impact the enamel, do not threaten the overall health of the affected teeth and do not cause any pain.  Every tooth has shallow cracks in the enamel, but most don’t require any treatment.  Deeper cracks, which cause sharp pains while chewing but no other symptoms generally need a crown, but not root canal treatment.  Cracks that cause spontaneous jaw  pain may need root canal treatment or in some cases the tooth may need to be extracted. At Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio, can make the proper diagnosis and recommend the proper course of treatment.

What is Root Canal Treatment?

The inside of a tooth contains nerves, blood vessels, and tissue. This “dental pulp” is protected by a hard enamel covering and under the enamel is a softer dentin layer. When the protective layers of a tooth are damaged due to decay or trauma, the pulp inside may become vulnerable to infections. To address this issue, root canal treatment can be performed to remove the infected pulp and restore the tooth to normal health and function.  

Endodontic Consultants can also advise on what to do about other types of injuries. For example, a tooth that has been “knocked-out” can often be saved when managed and cared for properly, and can  last for decades. Call our office in San Antonio, TX, today at (210) 405-0473.