What You Need to Know Before a Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is the hollow part of your tooth that contains root nerves and the pulp. The root nerves are for sensitivity to heat or cold and pain. On the other hand, pulp provides replenishing nutrients for your enamel. When you have tooth decay or dental cavities, your root canal components might be at risk of infection. If you have infected pulp and root nerves, you might experience pain that might compel you to seek dental care services near you. You might also be at risk of secondary complications such as gum diseases, bone loss, and tooth loss. To relieve pain and reduce the risk of further complications, your dentist might recommend tooth canal treatment. Endodontic treatment entails removing the components of your root canal.

Signs You Need a Root Canal Treatment

You might require a root canal treatment if the inner parts of your tooth are inflamed or injured. However, it is not easy to diagnose an infection in your root canal. Therefore, you should consider visiting your dentist in Calgary, SW, for regular dental exams. Some of the signs that might indicate a root canal infection include:

• Excruciating pain that might be persistent
• Low or extremely high sensitivity to heat and cold
• Discoloured enamels
• Pain or discomfort when biting or chewing
• Loose teeth
• A crack on your tooth enamel
• Swelling on your gums

When you have the above symptoms, you should not hesitate to call your dentist and schedule a visit.

What to Expect During a Root Canal Treatment Near You

When you seek endodontic therapy, your dentist will begin by examining your teeth. The dental exam aims to determine the number of affected teeth and the progression of the infection. After you are clear for a root canal treatment, your dentist will place a bib around your neck to protect your clothes from stains. Next, the dentist or endodontist will administer local anesthesia to prevent pain. In some cases, the root nerves are dead. Therefore, you are not likely to feel pain during the root canal procedure. When your teeth and gums are numb, your dentist in West Springs will make an access hole on top of the tooth crown. Your dentist will then use small files to remove the pulp. During the root canal procedure, the dentist will be careful to clean all the canals in your tooth. Once the root canal is clear of pulp, your dentist will irrigate the area to remove debris. The next step of the root canal procedure is to seal the hole. Your dentist can put some medications to kill the bacteria in the root canal. Alternatively, the dentist might apply a rubber-like substance in the clean root canal and seal the access hole. When you undergo a root canal treatment, your tooth loses sensitivity since the root nerves are not present. However, your tooth becomes weak and prone to further infections. After removing the pulp, your enamels get nutrients from the bone, which might not be enough to replenish them. Therefore, your dentist in South West Calgary might recommend dental crowns. During the tooth crown placement procedure, the dentist will prepare your tooth and take impressions for dental restoration. Finally, the dentist will place a dental crown on your tooth and cement it in place.

Follow-up After a Root Canal

Depending on your condition, the dentist might recommend follow-up visits. During the follow-up dental visits, the dentist will check the progress of the treatments and the risk of the other teeth having root canal infections. If your dentist doesn’t recommend follow-up visits, it is advisable to honour the regular dental exams.

How Can I Prevent a Root Canal Infection?

The root cause of root canal infections is the entry of harmful bacteria into your tooth. Therefore, you should consider preventive techniques to keep bacteria away from your root canal. Below are ways you can prevent a root canal infection:

• Brush and floss your teeth regularly using fluoride toothpaste
• Visit a dentist at least twice a year for dental exams and cleanings
• Avoid biting or chewing on hard foods or objects
• Wear a protective mouthguard when playing contact sports

If you are looking for a dental clinic in Clinic in Calgary, SW, for endodontic therapy and oral education, you can visit us at Image Dental.