105 E. 10th Ave., Post Falls, ID 83854
208-773-8388 
Have persistent tooth pain, sensitivity or swelling? These symptoms may point to inflammation, infection or damage inside a tooth. At 7 Day Dental Smiles, our dentists and team provide endodontics in Post Falls, Idaho, to identify the cause of your symptoms and determine whether treatment may help save your natural tooth.
Endodontic care focuses on the dental pulp, nerves and tissues inside a tooth. Because problems in these areas can cause pain or infection, early evaluation is important. Contact 7 Day Dental Smiles at 208-773-8388 to schedule an endodontic evaluation.
Endodontic Services
At 7 Day Dental Smiles, our endodontics services focus on diagnosing and treating problems that affect the inside of a tooth.
What Is Endodontics?
Endodontics is the area of dentistry that focuses on the dental pulp and tissues inside a tooth. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue.
When the pulp becomes inflamed, infected or damaged, it may cause pain, sensitivity or swelling. Therefore, our dentists may recommend endodontic treatment to remove the source of the problem and preserve the tooth when possible.
One of the most common treatments in endodontics is root canal therapy.
Endodontic Treatments for Tooth Pain
Tooth pain can have many causes. For example, decay, cracks, damaged fillings and infection can all cause discomfort.
However, persistent pain or lingering sensitivity may indicate a problem inside the tooth. Pain when biting can also be a warning sign.
Our dentists may use a dental exam and digital X-rays to check:
- The source of your tooth pain
- Deep tooth decay
- Cracks or fractures
- Signs of infection
- The tooth roots and nearby bone
- Whether the tooth can be restored
If you have ongoing tooth pain in Post Falls, an endodontics evaluation can help identify the problem and determine the next step.
Signs You May Need Endodontic Care
Endodontics may be recommended when symptoms suggest a problem with the pulp or nerve inside a tooth.
Possible signs include:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Swelling near a tooth
- A recurring bump or sore on the gums
- Darkening or discoloration of a tooth
- A cracked or deeply decayed tooth
- Facial or jaw swelling related to a dental problem
Some damaged teeth cause few symptoms. As a result, regular dental exams and appropriate X-rays can play an important role in finding problems early.
Endodontics for an Infected Tooth
An infected tooth can develop when bacteria reach the dental pulp.
Deep decay is one possible cause. In addition, cracks, trauma and damaged restorations may allow bacteria to enter the tooth.
Other possible causes include:
- Deep cavities
- A fractured tooth
- A loose or damaged filling
- Repeated dental work on the same tooth
- Injury to the tooth
- An untreated dental problem
An infection inside a tooth usually requires professional care. Although symptoms may sometimes decrease, the underlying problem can remain.
If you believe you have an infected tooth in Post Falls, contact our team for an evaluation.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal therapy is one of the primary treatments used in endodontics. It treats a tooth when the pulp becomes infected, inflamed or damaged.
During root canal treatment, our dentists remove the affected tissue. Next, they clean and shape the inside of the tooth. Finally, they fill and seal the canals.
The goal is to treat the problem while preserving the natural tooth when possible.
For more detailed information about symptoms, treatment and recovery, visit our root canal therapy page.
Emergency Endodontic Treatment in Post Falls
Severe tooth pain or swelling may require prompt dental care. In some cases, endodontics may help treat the cause of an urgent dental problem.
Contact 7 Day Dental Smiles promptly if you have:
- Severe tooth pain
- Rapidly worsening discomfort
- Swelling around a tooth
- Significant pain when biting
- A painful bump on the gums
- A broken tooth with pain or sensitivity
- Other signs of a dental infection
Our dentists can examine the tooth and determine whether root canal therapy, restorative dentistry or emergency dentistry is appropriate.
However, severe facial or neck swelling can require immediate medical attention. Seek emergency medical care if swelling makes it difficult to breathe or swallow.
Do I Need an Endodontist?
An endodontist is a dentist who has completed additional specialty training in treating the dental pulp and tissues around tooth roots.
However, not every patient who needs endodontics needs an endodontist. General dentists may provide many root canal treatments.
Our dentists will first evaluate your tooth. Then, they can determine whether treatment can be completed at 7 Day Dental Smiles or whether a specialist referral would be more appropriate.
A referral may be considered for:
- Complex root canal anatomy
- Root canal retreatment
- Calcified canals
- Cases that require specialized equipment
- Other complex conditions involving the tooth root
If we recommend a referral, our team will explain the reason and help you understand the next step.
How Endodontics Can Help Save a Natural Tooth
One goal of endodontics is to preserve a natural tooth when it can be successfully treated and restored.
Saving a natural tooth may help:
- Maintain your natural bite
- Support comfortable chewing
- Reduce movement of nearby teeth
- Maintain the appearance of your smile
- Avoid or delay tooth replacement
Still, not every tooth can be saved. If a tooth has too much damage, our dentists may recommend a tooth extraction instead.
Restoring a Tooth After Endodontics
After root canal treatment, the tooth often needs a final restoration. This helps protect the remaining tooth structure and restore normal function.
Depending on the tooth, our dentists may recommend a dental crown, tooth-colored filling or another restorative option.
Therefore, completing the recommended restoration is an important part of endodontic care.
Comfort During Endodontics Treatment
Our dentists use local anesthetic when appropriate to numb the treatment area. This helps patients remain more comfortable during treatment.
In addition, patients who experience dental anxiety may ask about sedation dentistry.
Before treatment begins, our team will explain what to expect and answer your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Endodontics
What is endodontics?
Endodontics is the area of dentistry that focuses on problems involving the pulp, nerves and tissues inside a tooth. Root canal therapy is one of the most common endodontic treatments.
Do you provide endodontics in Post Falls?
Yes. 7 Day Dental Smiles provides endodontics in Post Falls, Idaho. Our dentists can evaluate tooth pain, infection or damage and determine whether root canal therapy or another treatment is appropriate.
Does tooth pain mean I need endodontics?
Not always. Tooth pain can have several causes. However, persistent pain, lingering sensitivity or pain when biting may indicate a problem inside the tooth. An examination can determine whether endodontics is appropriate.
How do I know if I have an infected tooth?
Signs may include persistent pain, swelling, sensitivity, pain when chewing or a recurring bump on the gums. Because these symptoms can have different causes, our dentists will need to examine the tooth.
Can you provide emergency root canal treatment?
Root canal therapy may be recommended when severe pain or infection involves the pulp inside a tooth. Contact 7 Day Dental Smiles promptly if you have severe tooth pain, swelling or other signs of infection.
What is the difference between an endodontist and a general dentist?
An endodontist has additional specialty training in diagnosing and treating problems inside teeth. However, general dentists may also provide root canal treatment. Our dentists will determine whether your case can be treated at 7 Day Dental Smiles or should be referred.
Can an infected tooth heal on its own?
An infection inside a tooth generally requires professional care. Symptoms may temporarily improve, but the underlying infection can remain.
Can endodontics save an infected tooth?
Endodontics may help preserve an infected or damaged tooth by removing affected tissue and treating the inside of the tooth. Whether the tooth can be saved depends on the extent of the damage and its remaining support.
Will I need a crown after endodontic treatment?
Many teeth need a final restoration after treatment. Depending on the tooth and remaining structure, our dentists may recommend a crown, filling or another restoration.
Schedule an Endodontics Evaluation
If you have tooth pain, lingering sensitivity or signs of an infected tooth, endodontics in Post Falls, Idaho, may help identify the cause and determine the appropriate treatment.
Contact 7 Day Dental Smiles or call 208-773-8388 to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Rheanna Burnham, Dr. Scott Lake, Dr. Wade Dinse, Dr. Stephen Gloudeman or Dr. Nora Svihl.
