Endodontics is a dental term referring to the tooth pulp (containing nerves, arterioles and venules as well as lymphatic tissues and fibrous tissues) and tissued surrounding the root of a tooth.  If the pulp can become diseased or injured endodontic treatment is required to save the tooth.  This is commonly referred to as a Root Canal.

Root canal therapy refers to the process by which a dentist treats the inner aspects of a tooth due to disease (decay) or trauma, as shown in the graphic below:

Some symptoms that suggest root canal therapy might be required are:

• A tooth is currently causing pain, or has a history of being painful
• A presence of gum tenderness and/or swelling in an area adjacent to a tooth
• A persistent or recurring pimple on your gums
• Exposure of a tooth's nerve
• Teeth which have been traumatized in an accident

It will take an examination by the dentist, and an x-ray of the tooth, to determine if root canal treatment is indicated for a tooth.

Call us today at 724-437-5010 for an evaluation if you think you might benefit from endodontic treatment.