Root Canal Therapy
More commonly known as a root canal, Endodontics is necessary when the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected. It is the only solution to saving a natural tooth once bacteria buildup has significantly progressed and seeped into the tooth’s interior.
In the past, immense pain and fear were associated with root canals. However, due to advances in dental technology and procedures, no longer must patients delay seeking treatment for a tooth infection out of fear.
Dental pulp is the soft tissue that resides deep within a tooth, containing:
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Veins
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Arteries
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Nerves
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Lymph tissue
While dental pulp is essential to ensuring the healthy development of a tooth, once a tooth has finished growing it no longer requires pulp to survive. Provided that the tooth is healthy, infected pulp can be removed and the tooth can remain.
Endodontic surgery is required once the inside of a tooth, or the pulp, becomes infected due to decay or trauma. Failing to notice pulp infection is rare, as patients suffer from an immense toothache, often sending them reeling to the dentist.
Upon taking x-rays and examining the results and your tooth, if it is concluded that your tooth pulp is infected, most often the recommended treatment is a root canal. The only other viable option is having the tooth pulled and filling the gap with a dental implant or dental bridge, both of which require extensive time, surgical work and financial commitment. You cannot leave an empty space between teeth, as other teeth will shift and cause further oral health deterioration.
Once both the pulp and canal of the tooth root are extracted, they are sealed to prevent infection. Shortly there after, we attach a porcelain crown to the natural tooth as a safeguard to fracture. While you will be without tooth nerve, the porcelain crown will allow your tooth to look, feel and function normally.
Please contact our Edmonton, Alberta dental office today to schedule your personal consultation.
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