The majority of people that you may meet would very likely tell you that they want to have a brilliant, shining, healthy smile. A great smile can truly light up a room, give individuals higher self-esteem, and demonstrate that good oral health practices are being performed regularly. One of those practices is going to the dentist.

It is a sad reality that almost a lot of people are more than a little nervous about visiting the dentist. Even when it is just for a yearly cleaning and checkup, the fear of the dentist finding something more serious wrong with your teeth or gums can become overwhelming. If there is an issue such as an infected tooth, that fear becomes even more heightened.

Out of the many dental treatment options available to individuals in the modern 21st century, none make people more hesitant and nervous than root canal therapy. In order to keep your natural teeth healthy, going to the dentist and having the proper treatments done is essential. Sometimes, this means having a root canal treatment.

What Is a Root Canal Treatment?

Root canals are performed on an affected tooth in order to save it from tooth extraction. When there is an infection inside the tooth (at its root), a dentist makes the decision to clean out the infection using root canal therapy. This kind of treatment option also helps to prevent future infections from developing.

Essentially, root canal therapy is performed on the actual root canal of your tooth. In that canal, you will find nerve tissue, blood vessels, and dental pulp. That pulp is what nourishes the tooth and moistens the surrounding tissues.

Who Is a Candidate for Root Canals?

Root canal treatments are performed on individuals who have deep decay, a cracked tooth, or a loose filling that has allowed the bacteria to enter the pulp chamber of the root canal system. When that bacteria gets inside the pulp, it begins to destroy the pulp leaving it injured, diseased, and will eventually die.

Once the pulp tissue dies, the infection can continue to spread into other teeth as well as the jaw bone. Root canal therapy is also performed as a way of saving the tooth rather than extracting it. Those who get extractions may be candidates for single tooth implants in order to mimic the function of your natural tooth.

If a patient is in a great deal of pain or the tooth is simply too far gone to be restored, an extraction may be the best option. Your root canal specialist will be able to make that decision for you. Patients who are experiencing severe pain, especially when chewing, as well as tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, may end up needing a root canal treatment.

What Are the Steps in this Dental Procedure?

There are basically three steps in the root canal treatment process. These steps include:

  • Cleaning: The first step is to remove all of the infected material in the root canal of the infected tooth. As a patient, you will be placed under local anesthesia while your dentist makes a small hole used to access the interior of the tooth. The dentist will be removing the diseased or dead pulp and nerve tissue. This step eliminates the pain.
  • Filling: The next step once the root canal is clean is to shape and decontaminate the hollowed-out area, which will then have root canal filling material placed inside of it. It is a rubber-like material topped with adhesive cement.
  • Adding a crown or filling material: Finally, a crown or filling is placed in order to strengthen and fortify the now-weakened tooth. Without its pulp, the tooth will become brittle and fragile, so the crown provides much-needed protection. A temporary filling may be placed if you need to come back for another visit to get the crown.

Each patient’s situation will be different, but the whole root canal treatment procedure can usually be completed within one appointment. Additional appointments may be necessary if there is more damage than expected, curved root canals, or larger infections.

At the heart of every root canal treatment is the need for root canal safety. Our dental team at the dental office of Dr. Molly Rodgers will always follow safety protocols as set by the Canadian Dental Association and the American Dental Association.

Tips on How to Prevent the Need for a Root Canal Procedure

The best way to prevent infection and the need for any type of “scary” dental procedure is to have a healthy at-home oral health regimen. This includes the following:

  • Brushing teeth at least twice per day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride and a toothbrush that is suitable for your teeth
  • Flossing daily to clean between your teeth and at the gum line to prevent the buildup of plaque and bacteria
  • Visiting the dentist 1-2 times per year
  • Eating a healthy diet and refraining from sugary foods and drinks.
  • No smoking

If you follow these regular dental health tips, you can work to prevent the need for root canal treatment and other procedures. Sometimes, the need for a root canal procedure is out of your control, but keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible will set you up for success.

Contact Our Edmonton, AB, Endodontic Treatment Experts

If you are suffering from pain and discomfort caused by a tooth that you believe may be infected, contact our Edmonton dental clinic. Dr. Molly Rodgers and her knowledgeable staff are here to discuss endodontic therapy with you and determine if you may be a candidate for a root canal.

Our team understands how painful it can be to deal with infected pulp, and we also know how much relief you will find with a treated tooth. Call us now to have your tooth checked out and to discuss your endodontic treatment options with our friendly and experienced dentist in Edmonton, AB.

Do not live with tooth pain! Call now.

Posted in Dental News, Dental News & Advice