18
Aug
Why Would I Need Endodontic Surgery?
A 2019 survey showed that more than half of all participants greatly fear having a root canal, according to the American Association of Endodontists. A root canal is a restorative tooth-saving procedure performed by specially trained dental professionals called endodontists.
During a root canal, the diseased or damaged pulp of your tooth — in the center of your tooth, which houses the tooth’s nerve — is removed. Your endodontist then cleans the remaining space, fills it, and seals it off. This saves the tooth itself so you don’t have to have it removed.
At Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio, Rick Davis, DDS, and Rick Schwartz, DDS, diagnose, treat, restore, and care for teeth that are in pain, infected, or compromised from injury or decay. In this blog, they outline the top signs that you may need endodontic surgery.
Increasing sensitivity to hot and cold
A tooth that’s infected becomes very sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks and responds by throbbing with pain long after it’s been exposed.
Discoloration of your painful tooth
If you regularly drink dark beverages or smoke cigarettes, it’s expected that you might have some darkening of your teeth. However, if one tooth suddenly turns dark and you also have pain when you chew, it’s a sign that your tooth has an active and spreading infection.
Severe, nonstop pain
A tooth in trouble sounds the alarm with persistent pain. Even before the pain becomes intense, you may notice that your tooth hurts with even gentle pressure.
Drainage from your tooth or gums
When bacteria collects in the pulp of your tooth due to a periodontal disease, cracks in your tooth, cavities, or a failed root canal, infection builds and turns into an abscess, resulting in foul-smelling pus drainage from the area. Left untreated, the infection can fester and spread and jeopardize your overall health.
Diagnostic surgery
If your tooth is hurting but an X-ray doesn’t reveal the problem, our team performs exploratory diagnostic surgery to determine and repair the problem.
Endodontic surgery can stop your pain and save your tooth
We understand that you may be anxious about undergoing endodontic surgery. In addition to completely numbing the tooth, we offer sedation options to help you relax during your procedure. We use the most advanced tools, techniques, and technology to put you at ease while we work to eradicate the problem that’s causing you so much discomfort.
When you have a troublesome tooth, we can help save it. Turn to our compassionate team at Endodontic Consultants of San Antonio for skilled care. Don’t delay treatment that can help you feel better. Call now, or book your appointment online.
Dr. Richard Davis, DDS
Richard D. Davis, DDS, graduated from high school in Japan, attended the University of Washington dental school, and joined the Air Force as a general dentist in 1978. He completed the Air Force one-year AEGD residency, a two-year Advanced General Dentistry Residency, and a fellowship in biomaterials at the University of Indiana. Dr. Davis was a clinical instructor, research director, and lecturer at the Air Force. He has published many scientific articles and research papers, and has lectured on many topics. Following retirement from the Air Force in 1999, he completed the graduate program in endodontics at the University of Oregon in 2001, and joined Dr. Schwartz and has been in private practice in endodontics since then.
Dr. Richard Schwartz, DDS
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Richard S. Schwartz, DDS, graduated from the University of Minnesota dental school in 1977. He was a restorative dentist for 19 years: Early in his career, he attended a two-year general dentistry residency while in the US Air Force, and then did a combination of private practice, teaching, and dental materials research before entering endodontic post-graduate training in 1996. He has authored over 100 articles and abstracts in scientific journals and lectured extensively in the US and in 21 other countries, including 12 times at the American Association of Endodontists’ national meeting. Since 1998 Dr. Schwartz has been in full-time private practice in endodontics in San Antonio, TX, and has practiced with Dr. Davis since 2001. He was a founding member and first secretary/treasurer of the International Association of Endodontics. He is also a member of the American Dental Association and International Association of Dental Specialists.
