Our smile is one of the most notable features of our body. Shiny, adequately aligned teeth mean that we are well-groomed and take our appearance seriously. But for various reasons, our teeth may not always be at their best, and our smile may need some touch-ups over time. And that’s where an NYC endodontist can help.
From trivial procedures such as implanting dental fillings to complex root canal surgeries, an endodontist may be the solution to your tooth decay problems. But what exactly are the differences between such a practitioner and a regular dentist? In the following article, we will answer this question and present the aspects you should keep in mind when looking for endodontics in NYC.
What Is an Endodontist?
In short, an endodontist is a dental professional who specializes in treating and preventing diseases that affect the dental pulp, which is the soft tissue inside the teeth that contains nerves and blood vessels. Once affected by a cavity, these structures can become infected, which is a medical emergency that should be dealt with promptly. Endodontists are if you like, the specialists to call if you have an advanced cavity that needs specialized treatment. But what factors might prompt you to call an office specializing in endodontics in NYC?
The first sign that something is wrong with your teeth will probably be persistent pain and sensitivity to hot or cold that won’t go away on its own. Over 40% of adults experience such pain yearly, a number that’s increasing steadily because of our lifestyle and high-sugar diet. This pain can worsen and, in unfortunate cases, can lead to inflammation spreading to other teeth or even to life-threatening infections. But you can also turn to endodontics in NYC for other problems with your teeth.
A sports injury that has affected your dental pulp, a chipped tooth, or perhaps even a previous unsuccessful surgery can all fall under the competence of a clinic specialized in endodontics in NYC, and it is essential not to wait too long before seeking specialist help; otherwise, your dental problem may worsen. This can have consequences both financially and in terms of the type of intervention needed to remedy the situation.
What Differences Exist Between a Regular Dentist and an NYC Endodontist?
Dentists are the practitioners you turn to when you have general problems with oral health. And these problems can be anything, from cavities or crooked teeth to issues with the health of our gums or even our tongue. Dentists are trained to offer a wide range of both preventative and restorative solutions for the health of your smile, including the use of crowns or fillings or the extraction of problematic teeth. However, there are cases where their expertise may not be enough, and in these cases, they can refer you to an NYC endodontist.
An endodontist is a type of dentist who, in addition to the four years required to become a dental specialist, has completed two additional years of certification as an expert in the dental pulp and its related diseases. An endodontist focuses almost exclusively on diagnosing and treating diseases or injuries to the dental pulp, and they benefit from exceptional training that allows them to use special techniques and technologies. The number of endodontists is significantly lower than that of regular dentists, the United States being home to over 160,000 dentists, of which only 5,700 are endodontists.
What Tools Can be Used by an NYC Endodontist?
A clinic specializing in endodontics in NYC can call upon various tools and practices to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the dental pulp, many of which are also found in regular dentist’s offices. What is different is how these tools are used and the complexity of the required work. Any doctor specializing in endodontics will use one or more microscopes that will allow them to get a close-up view of the tooth’s internal structure, enabling them to make an accurate diagnosis and treat the cause that led to the need for an intervention.
Afterward, an orthodontist may use rotary or ultrasonic instruments that can allow them to remove damaged or infected tissue from inside the tooth. These instruments are more precise and easier to use than traditional hand instruments and can provide a broader range of approaches for the doctor. Last but not least, endodontists have access to various anesthesia equipment that can numb the tooth and the surrounding area. The procedures used by a dental pulp specialist are similar to those used by a regular dentist, but what often differs is the complexity of the work. A dentist will most likely refer you to an endodontist if your tooth needs a more complex procedure, such as root canal surgery, which an expert endodontist should perform.
The Most Important Thing is to Preserve Your Smile
Contacting a clinic specializing in endodontics in NYC may be necessary if, for any reason, your teeth require a complex intervention. The services of an NYC endodontist can be crucial to restoring your smile, which can result in significant advantages for you personally and professionally. Calling an endodontist can help you get rid of the pain associated with tooth decay and prevent similar potential inconveniences in the future.
The specialized services of a dental pulp expert can help you prevent future dental infections, which may represent a medical emergency due to their potential to spread to other locations in the body. But most importantly, optimal teeth health can help you smile more, which can open doors for you, and help you appear more approachable, a trait that can benefit you professionally. Humans are social creatures, and smiling is one of the main tools we can use in the complex social interactions we face every day, so keeping our teeth healthy and well-functioning should become a priority for each of us. Turning to specialists in dental science is an excellent way to take care of our oral health, which is one of the most manageable aspects of our well-being.