Endodontics

According to the American Association of Endodontists, root canal therapy is the most feared dental procedure of all. Despite this stigma, root canal therapy is actually a pain-free, quick and relatively comfortable procedure. In fact, it relieves your pain and can prevent more complicated oral issues down the road.

A root canal is a term used to describe the natural cavity in the center of a tooth. This area contains a soft area known as the pulp chamber that houses the nerves. If this area becomes irritated or infected due to cavities, trauma or decay, root canal therapy is necessary. If left untreated, the infection can cause an abscess, which can lead to swelling of the face and neck and bone loss around the roots of teeth.

Endodontists specialize in oral trauma and are often able to save teeth that have been injured in accidents or sports-related activities.  Traumatic injuries include root fractures as well as teeth that have been chipped, dislodged, or completely knocked-out and should be seen immediately by an endodontist.

Internal bleaching treatment is recommended after a tooth undergoes staining from within the tooth itself. Typically, this is due to a structural defect within the tooth, a dying tooth, or because blood and other bodily fluids penetrated the tooth during prior root canal treatment. Regardless of the cause, it's possible to restore such a tooth to match the color of its adjacent teeth by bleaching the tooth from the inside-out – a process known as internal tooth bleaching.

For more information on internal bleaching contact our office at 480-558-4331.

A pulpotomy is a minimally invasive procedure performed in children who are experiencing pain from a cavity. Underneath the exterior of a tooth is a pocket filled with nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This is known as the “pulp” of the tooth. The procedure is required when a pulp of the tooth has been exposed by a bad cavity. This can be very painful because the sensitive nerves and tissue are vulnerable.

If your child is complaining of a toothache, it might be because he or she has a large cavity. In this case, we’ll do a pulpotomy, a common procedure for decayed baby molars, to remove the damaged pulp.

For more information on cavities, or dental care for your child call Lifetime Family Dental at 480-558-4331 to schedule an appointment.

Apexification is a procedure used to stimulate root development or closing of the root end ("open apex"). An open apex is often found in teeth that are not fully developed or whose roots have been eroded away by a process known as resorption. This complicates root canal therapy by making it difficult to seal the root canals with routine methods.

Whether your tooth has cracked due to an injury or general wear and tear, you can experience a variety of symptoms ranging from erratic pain when you chew your food to sudden pain when your tooth is exposed to very hot or cold temperatures. 

There are many different types of cracked teeth. The treatment and outcome for your tooth depend on the type, location, and extent of the crack. The sooner your tooth is treated, the better the outcome. Once treated most cracked teeth continue to function as they should, for many years of pain-free biting and chewing.