Endodontics

Certain signs should serve as a warning and prompt you to see a dentist promptly:

• Intense, throbbing tooth pain, or pain that worsens at night;
• Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold that persists for several seconds after contact;
• An abscess or swelling in the gums or face;
• A tooth that is cracked, broken, or has been knocked;
• Pain when chewing or a tooth that becomes sensitive to pressure.

These symptoms may indicate an infection of the dental pulp that requires endodontic treatment. The earlier treatment begins, the greater the chances of saving the tooth. That is why an annual checkup remains essential: it allows for the detection of an infection even before pain sets in.

The goal of endodontic treatment is to treat the root canal affected by pulp necrosis or infection. Endodontics involves treating the tooth’s pulp and its nerve endings when they are inflamed or infected.

Various causes may be responsible for these phenomena, including:

• A tooth cavity that is too deep;
• Trauma to the tooth;
• A crack in the tooth;
• A broken tooth;
• Necrosis of the tooth.

It is necessary to eliminate the infection because not only can the pain quickly become unbearable, but also, in the case of purulent collection in the roots, the pus cannot escape. The nerve endings are thus constantly compressed.

Without treatment, untreated inflammation can spread around the root to the periapical tissues, causing infections. It is likely to spread from inside the tooth to the jawbone and soft tissues surrounding the tooth, with a risk of destruction (osteolysis). This dental inflammation can eventually compromise the health of the periodontium and surrounding bones. Without proper care and treatment, endodontics inevitably leads to tooth extraction. The loss of a tooth greatly affects dental aesthetics. In more advanced cases, apical resection may be considered to remove the periapical infection.

We emphasize the importance of annual preventive checkups or consultations with your dentist in the event of tooth decay or a broken tooth, so that signs of infection can be detected as early as possible.
Infection can develop without symptoms and have serious consequences. These can be minimized by treating the condition at an early stage.
Any dental trauma should prompt a visit to the dentist, even if there are no visible injuries, as a crack can be difficult to detect without medical imaging.
To this end, we have equipped ourselves with state-of-the-art equipment, such as high-definition digital radiology and Cone Beam.

Here are the steps involved in endodontic treatment:

• Initial Consultation and Diagnosis: Before any procedure, the dentist performs a clinical and radiographic examination (using digital radiography or cone beam CT) to confirm damage to the dental pulp and determine the appropriate treatment plan.
• Anesthesia: Before beginning the procedure, the endodontist administers a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth being treated. This ensures that the patient will not feel any pain during the procedure.
• Accessing the pulp: Once the area has been numbed, the dentist isolates the tooth being treated from the rest of the mouth and makes a small opening in the tooth’s crown to gain access to the dental pulp.
  Removing the pulp: The endodontist carefully removes the infected or damaged pulp from inside the tooth and the root canals.
• Root canal filling: Once the root canals have been cleaned, they are filled with a filling material using a specific cement to ensure they are sealed and prevent reinfection.
• Tooth restoration: After the root canals have been filled, the tooth cavity is sealed with a restorative material, such as a prosthesis or crown, to protect the tooth and restore its normal shape and function.
• Follow-up and maintenance: After root canal treatment, it is important to take care of the treated tooth by practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding hard or sticky foods that could damage the tooth, and seeing your dentist regularly for checkups and X-rays.

Inflammation occurs at the center of the dental pulp. When the pulp is affected, endodontic treatment is the ideal solution. It allows access to the pulp, removes this vascularized and innervated tissue, thoroughly disinfects the root canals, and then seals them (filling).

The success of endodontic treatment depends on several criteria, including:
the practitioner's knowledge of the technique appropriate for each clinical case;
the quality of the equipment used (rubber dam, optical aids, microscope);
the practitioner's expertise.

The initial root canal treatment procedure is very well codified and allows for high-quality endodontic treatment if the basic rules are followed.

Once the canals have been cleaned and disinfected, a root canal filling is placed to ensure that the tooth is sealed and prevent the infection from returning. In some cases, a dental crown or prosthesis is needed to restore the tooth after treatment.

Pain Management and Comfort

Thanks to local anesthesia, endodontic treatment is painless. Some mild sensitivity may persist for a few days after the appointment, which is usually relieved by a simple pain reliever. For anxious patients, tailored care can be provided to make the appointment a more comfortable experience.

To devitalize a tooth

Root canal treatment is the treatment of choice in endodontics. Performed under general or local anesthesia, it involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning the tooth’s internal canals, and eliminating bacteria and organic debris.
However, a devitalized tooth remains a living, functional tooth that must maintain healthy periodontal tissue. The tooth, while kept alive, is insensitive because it has been stripped of its sensory structures.

Most practitioners are familiar with the operating protocol for endodontic treatment, but it remains a complex and meticulous procedure.

Good equipment helps the practitioner remove all of the dental pulp and perform a complete root canal filling. For the most complex cases, we call on a dental surgeon who specializes in endodontics, ensuring a perfect and risk-free root canal thanks to their mastery of technical procedures and excellent equipment.

A good tooth filling can last a lifetime.
If necessary, endodontic retreatment is possible to repeat or improve a previous treatment. To continue benefiting from the results of endodontic treatment, we emphasize the importance of annual preventive checkups. These allow us to clinically or radiologically detect any infection and, if necessary, redo an imperfect endodontic treatment to remove old filling materials, disinfect the root canal system, and perform a new, watertight filling.

These elements are also systematically checked when it comes to whitening a devitalized tooth using internal bleaching.

Following your treatment, our team will welcome you to our practice to monitor the progress of your oral health and thus prevent any periodontal disease that could compromise the results of your endodontic treatment. Our goal is to help you maintain your dental health.
Don’t wait until you experience the first symptoms before scheduling an appointment: protect yourself from the consequences of dental conditions by consulting a team of professionals specializing in endodontics and the treatment of periodontal diseases.

Dr. Choukroun specializes in endodontics. With a postgraduate degree in conservative dentistry and endodontics, she focuses on various treatments and is dedicated to preserving teeth.

For complex cases, our team has advanced dental radiology equipment at its disposal. This includes an optical microscope that allows endodontic treatment to be performed with great precision. The endodontist works as part of a team with dentists specializing in implantology and periodontics to provide comprehensive, optimal care.

The price of the endodontic treatment tailored to your case will be provided in a customized quote following your initial dental consultation.
Please feel free to contact our office to make an appointment or to find out the price and reimbursement terms for endodontic treatment.