Endodontics


Improve Your Smile With Family Dentistry Of West Bloomfield!

At Family Dentistry Of West Bloomfield we pride ourselves on creating and maintaining beautiful smiles for our patients. Having a bright and healthy smile is important for not only your health but also improves your confidence. We love knowing we have helped out patients achieve the smile that they have always wanted with our cosmetic procedures. If you are in the West Bloomfield area and are unhappy with your current smile, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office for more information on all we have to offer.

What Is Endodontics?

Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with tissues and structures located inside the tooth. One of the most common endodontic treatments is root canal therapy, a procedure, which effectively eases the pain associated with a bacterial infection deep within the pulp of the tooth. Of course, root canal treatment doesn't just relieve pain — it also stops the infection by removing dead and dying tissue from the tooth's pulp. Plus, it helps to save the tooth, which is in danger of being lost if left untreated.

Yet root canal therapy isn't the only treatment endodontics offers. This field also deals with cases of dental trauma, performs microsurgery on the tips of the tooth's roots, and even helps figure out what's going on when tooth pain seems to come and go intermittently, or when the pain isn't localized at one tooth. So when it comes to preserving your natural teeth, endodontics has plenty of ways to help.

The Inside Story

Healthy Tooth.

What could cause the pulp tissue to become diseased and lead to root canal problems? One potential source of infection is untreated tooth decay, which can allow bacteria from the tooth's surface to work its way deep inside. A crack or fracture in a tooth could offer another pathway for microorganisms to infect the pulp.

Dental trauma — from a sports injury, for example — may also damage dentin or pulp, or expose it to infection. Extensive dental procedures (such as multiple fillings or restorations on the same tooth) may cause trouble; occasionally, even routine procedures like orthodontics may eventually lead to root canal problems.

Endodontic Treatment At Family Dentistry Of West Bloomfield

Root canal treatment.

The old gag line “I'd rather have a root canal” may still get a laugh — but root canal problems are no joke. It's important to remember that root canal treatment doesn't cause pain; it relieves pain. A typical root canal procedure is performed with local anesthetics, and doesn't cause any more discomfort than having a filling. Here's what to expect:

First, you will receive anesthesia (usually a numbing shot) — and for many patients, the worst is now over. Next, a small opening is made in the tooth surface to give access to the pulp chamber and root canals. Then, tiny instruments are used — often with the aid of a microscope — to remove dead and dying tissue from inside the narrow passages. These passages are then cleaned, disinfected, and filled with a safe, inert material. Finally, the opening in the tooth is sealed to prevent contamination.

Other endodontic treatments may be recommended for removing sources of infection and preventing future problems. Following an endodontic procedure, a restoration (such as a crown) will be placed on the tooth to restore it to full function and aesthetic appearance. After that, with proper care the restored tooth should last for many years.

Contact Your West Bloomfield Cosmetic Dentistry Today!

The Doctors and their wonderful staff here at Family Dentistry of West Bloomfield would like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about our dentistry. If you have any questions about endodontics or any of our other cosmetic services please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to answer any questions that you might have about our practice. We hope to welcome you to Family Dentistry Of West Bloomfield soon!

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