Root Canal Treatment
Endodontic treatment is required when the pulp or nerve area of your tooth becomes infected. Infection and inflammation can cause deep decay and repeated issues. Having a root canal can help you keep the tooth rather than having it removed or replaced with an artificial tooth. Should you or your child require a root canal - Sherwood Park has Bennett Dental who are specially trained to perform this procedure.
What is Root Canal Treatment?
Endodontic treatment, commonly referred to as a 'root canal' is a treatment that involves removing infected, damaged or dead pulp from within your tooth. The basic anatomy of your tooth consists of what can be described as several 'layers' - enamel, dentin, and pulp. The uppermost part of the tooth exterior is called enamel, with dentin providing a thicker inner layer surrounding the tooth pulp at the core. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue responsible for sustaining the tooth during its development. Once a tooth is fully developed, it no longer requires the pulp as it can be nourished by the surrounding tissues.
Who performs this procedure?
Should you require a root canal, your dentist may refer you to an endodontist. Endodontists are dentists have have undergone a university post-graduate study in Endontics - which is the specialty of dentistry regarding the treatment of dental pulp and the nerves of the tooth.
In cases of young children or babies, a pediatric dentist would be involved with the procedure.
We can help you know if a root canal may be required.
How is root canal treatment performed?
After an initial local anesthetic (freezing), your dentist or an endodontist will make an opening in the tooth to reach and remove the inflamed or infected pulp. They will carefully clean and adjust the shape of the inside of the root canal. The area is sanitized and then is filled and sealed. In a following visit to our Sherwood Park dental office, your dentist will put a crown on the tooth or perform other restoration to protect and maintain tooth health.
The decision on the type of restoration used will depend on the strength and location of the tooth or portion of tooth that is left. For instance, back teeth typically require crowns as they are subject to greater forces from chewing.
After the procedure, your tooth will function and require the same care as an ordinary tooth.
Endondotic Treatment further details
The entire root canal procedure can be carried out over the course of 1-2 appointments. Afterward, you may experience some tooth tenderness. You should not have any severe pain or swelling, and would contact your dentist immediately if this occurs.
Root canal only operates on the pulp area itself, and it doesn't prevent you from cavities or gum disease. Your teeth will require the same care as always. A dental treatment plan and regular visits are essential to promoting dental health.
As root canals can be used in cases of infection or damage, it is possible that even after a root canal, and having exhausted other treatments, a tooth may need to be extracted. In the majority of cases, teeth are saved by undergoing a root canal operation.
Root Canal Retreatment
While many root canals treatments are effective, there are some instances in which a second root canal is required. This procedure is called Root Canal Retreatment and involves removal of the root canal filling material followed by recleaning, reshaping, and refilling of the root canal.
How is Root Canal Surgery Different
In cases where conventional endondotic treatment cannot be performed or was not effective, root canal surgery may be performed. The procedure can involve checking the end of the root for fractures, removal of parts of the root that could not be cleaned in initial root canal treatment, and address infections that did not heal from a regular root canal
- Check the end of the root for fractures (cracks).
- Remove parts of the root that could not be cleaned during regular root canal treatment.
- Clear up an infection that did not heal after regular treatment.