Why You Should See an Endodontist If You Have a Chipped Tooth

Going to see the endodontist may cause you to feel some anxiety and nervousness. This is normal, as many people are apprehensive about going to the dentist’s office. But you can take comfort to know that this dental professional has the knowledge and training to treat serious tooth pain. This includes chipped teeth. There are benefits to going to this dental professional to repair the damage.

An overview of what this dentist is and does

An endodontist is a dentist that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tooth pain and disease. Endodontists can treat infections that spread throughout the tooth and damage the pulp. The most common procedure that endodontists perform is a root canal. This process removes the pulp and nerve, cleans out the tooth of any decay and infection, and seals the tooth.

Endodontists have training beyond that of a general dentist. After finishing dental school, endodontists will study the interior of the tooth, including the pulp. This dentist will learn techniques to identify and treat tooth pain. Endodontists help patients of all ages, including children.

The consequences of a chipped tooth

Chipping a tooth may seem like a minor issue. Though a chip can be cosmetically unappealing, there are also health implications. A chipped tooth can become more extensive, damaging more of the tooth. This can invite infection, which may spread throughout the tooth and mouth. Eventually, tooth loss and even bone loss can occur. Ignoring a chipped tooth can eventually cause more extensive problems to take place in the mouth.

The endodontist is skilled and experienced in doing root canals

Many general dentists can perform a root canal to save a chipped tooth and stop the infection from spreading. But endodontists are even more well-equipped to handle this procedure. This is the type of work that endodontists focus on. This dentist will begin by numbing the patient and then drilling into the tooth until reaching the pulp. After removing it, the dentist will clean the tooth and may use an antibiotic to kill any infection. Often, a crown will go on top of the injured tooth to protect it.

The patient can get in quickly

Because root canals and repairing damaged teeth are what an endodontist focuses on, it should not be difficult to get an appointment. If a patient has extreme tooth pain, a same-day appointment may be possible. The office may even have late-day or weekend appointments available. Another benefit that endodontists provide is that they can complete the procedures efficiently, often in one visit.