Root canal therapy is used to treat, repair or save a tooth that is already severely decayed or infected. The tooth’s pulp and nerve may become inflamed, irritated, or infected owing to several factors such as; repeated dental restorations on one tooth; deep decay; a chip, or crack in the tooth. It may also be caused by trauma to the face. What happens in a root canal procedure is, the pulp and nerve of the tooth are taken out and the inside is cleaned and sealed. If you don’t go to a dentist near you for treatment, the tissue around the tooth will become infected and form an abscess. The nerve no longer has any vital function to the tooth’s health if the tooth comes off the gums.
Root canal procedures are known for being painful, but they are not usually more painful than having a filling placed. Here are some facts about Root Canal:
The reason you will need to have root canal therapy near you is because the damage of a tooth’s nerve tissue or pulp allows bacteria to multiply within the pulp chamber and lead to an infection. An infection in the root canal of a tooth may cause:
- Loss of bone around the tip of the root
- A swelling that may circulate to other areas of the head, face, or neck
- A hole through the cheek with drainage into the skin or through the side of the tooth with drainage into the gums
Signs That You May Need a Root Canal
- Sharp pain when biting or chewing
- Sensitivity in the tooth that lingers, particularly to heat or cold
- Painful or swollen gums
- Pimples on your gums
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Darkened or deep decay gums
What is the Procedure Like?
Our dentist in Okotoks can perform root canal therapy for you. We have an endodontist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and diseases of dental pulp or the tooth’s nerve.
These are the steps our procedure will follow:
Firstly, we will take an X-ray to identify the shape of the root canals and deduce any symptoms of infection in the surrounding bones. A local anesthesia will be used to numb the area near the tooth to help you relax, although you may not need it since the nerve is dead.
A rubber dam will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry and saliva-free. What happens next is to drill access into the tooth to remove the bacteria, pulp, and decayed nerve tissue from the tooth. The tooth is scraped and scrubbed thoroughly, and sprayed with water or sodium hypochlorite to flush away the debris.
Afterward, the access hole is sealed. Now, some dentists prefer to wait for about a week before sealing it. For instance, your dentist may put medication inside your tooth to clear it up if there is an infection. It can also be sealed on the same day it is cleaned out, but if it isn’t done on the same day, a temporary filling will be put in the exterior hole of the tooth to prevent saliva and food from entering. Your last appointment will include the final processes of the procedure and leave your smile bright and alive again.
Root canal therapy in Okotoks is now efficient and without pain. You just have to see us at Cimarron Dental Wellness. It’s the salvation of your smile and oral health.
