Root Canal Treatment

Getting to the Root of the Problem

A root canal, also known as endodontic therapy, is often done when a tooth has become severely infected or decayed and is an indispensable procedure that can save the affected tooth from extraction. The severe infection can spread to other teeth and is often caused by untreated cavities.

If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, contact us and we will do everything we can to get you an appointment quickly and relieve your discomfort.

A root canal is part of a naturally occurring space within a tooth that consists of the pulp chamber, the main canal, and more intricate anatomical branches that may connect the root canals to each other or to the surface of the root. The smaller branches are most frequently found near the root end (apex), but may be encountered anywhere along the root length.

Root canal treatment can be done in 1 or 2 appointments. After root canal treatment, your tooth may be tender for the first few days. Severe pain or swelling are not common. If this happens, call your dentist or endodontist. You can still get a cavity or gum disease after a root canal treatment. Root canal treatment does not protect your tooth from other types of damage. However with proper care and regular dental visits, the tooth could last as long as your other teeth. Most of the time, a tooth that has had a root canal treatment can be saved.

Because of the complexity and difficulty of root canal therapy (due to multiple configurations and particularities of root canals in each individual) this treatment can pose a challenge for the dentist. Sometimes, it’s necessary to refer the patient to endodontists specializing in root canal therapy in Leduc.

Is Root Canal Treatment painful?

Root canal procedure is not as painful as it sounds! You don't have to dread getting this procedure done. With the help of numbing medicine, you shouldn't have any severe pain. You do have to take good care of your mouth after the treatment, and you may experience some post-procedure discomfort, but nothing that an over the counter pain reliever could not ease.

When is Root Canal Treatment Recommended?

Once the nerve in a tooth has suffered infection or trauma, the tooth will begin to disintegrate from the inside out. Root Canal procedure preserves the tooth so that it can be retained for several more years rather than needing to be extracted. Endodontic (root canal) treatment is recommended for situations such as:

• Dental abscess
• Dying tooth
• Severe fracture in tooth
• Deep cavities
• Severe tooth sensitivity or pain

Do I Need A Root Canal?

You may need a root canal if you have the following symptoms:

• Experience severe tooth pain when chewing
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Blistered gums around the infected tooth
• Discolouration of the infected tooth
• Have an untreated cavity

However, be aware that these signs and symptoms vary with each patient. The best way to determine if a root canal is needed is by scheduling regular dental exams. If there is a cavity, our dentists will tend to the cavity before it becomes serious enough to need a root canal.

The Procedure

In a root canal procedure, the dentist will access the pulp chamber in the crown of the tooth and will reveal the root canals contained in the roots of the tooth. The infected or inflamed tissue is removed and the canals are shaped using special files to smooth the walls and ensure no pulp tissue or infection is left. The canals are then filled with a special material that seals off the root canals.

Your dentist will start by applying local anesthetic to the area around the tooth. After the area is sufficiently frozen, we will drill to the centre of the tooth. Then, the infected pulp is carefully extracted, and any areas of the affected tooth are removed. After the area is cleaned, your tooth canal is sealed, and a filling is inserted.

In rare cases, additional restorative care may be needed. Depending on the severity of the damage, it may be recommended to have a dental crown fitted over the tooth.

Alexandra Park Dental in Leduc is experienced in root canal procedures. We encourage you to book a consultation with our experienced dentists and discuss your options.