Dental Root Canals with Microscope
Root canal treatment is a widely-used endodontic procedure aimed at preserving your natural teeth and restore damaged teeth to enable them to function. A root canal procedure is usually necessary when the nerve inside a tooth develops infection or inflammation, or when there is not enough of the tooth’s structure to support it with a filling or a crown. To enable the dentist to have a better, more close-up view of the root canal, at Nordel Crossing Dental Centre we use a dental microscope to magnify the procedure.
Reasons to Have Root Canal Treatment
In most healthy teeth, the pulp that forms the center of each tooth is completely enclosed by the outer enamel, so there’s little opportunity for infection or inflammation to attack the pulp. When you develop tooth decay or a crack or chip in a tooth, however, bacteria can find their way into the pulp chamber. When this occurs, infection and inflammation develop and cause what we know as toothache, making a root canal procedure necessary to save the tooth.
If any of your teeth develop symptoms such as:
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A red or grey discolouration,
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Tenderness or swelling of the surrounding periodontal (gum) tissue,
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A throbbing pain, or
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Particular sensitivity to hot or cold substances,
you might need root canal treatment. In some cases, you may not have any symptoms, and it’s only during your regular dental examination that the dentist identifies problems from an x-ray.
Root canal treatment can help you keep a tooth that might otherwise have to be extracted, because of damage, decay or infection.
What a Root Canal Procedure Entails
Root canal treatment is the careful “cleaning out” of the inside of a damaged tooth. This process removes the bacteria and inflamed tissue that causes pain, after which the space is disinfected and filled with a rubber-like product called gutta percha. The material stops bacteria from re-entering the tooth and causing another infection.
If enough of the tooth remains to hold it, a filling is used to close the opening in the tooth. In most instances, the dentist will recommend the placement of a crown over the damaged tooth, to support and protect it. In cases where too much of the tooth structure is lost during the root canal procedure, a metal post is implanted into the jawbone to hold the crown.
The entire root canal treatment is done under a dental microscope, which enables the dentist to reach through the tiny canal entry points and branches. These are invisible to the naked eye, and even magnifying glasses are not strong enough to be able to detect and treat all parts of the canal containing bacteria. Without treatment, these bacteria will continue causing inflammation and lead eventually to tooth loss.
Root Canal Recovery
After the anesthesia from the procedure wears off, you might feel some form of pressure or discomfort. You can usually treat this effectively with over-the-counter pain medication like Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen, and it’s likely to disappear after a day or two. During root canal recovery, try to avoid chewing on the affected tooth until the pain is gone, because this will help the tissues heal faster.
Most teeth become more brittle after a root canal treatment, and chip or break more easily. Once a permanent dental crown is fitted over the remains of the tooth, you’ll experience no difference between the treated tooth and your other natural teeth.
Cost of Root Canal Treatment
Root canal costs depend on the location of the tooth, the amount of dental work required to perform the procedure, and whether a crown or a filling is required afterwards. Please contact us for pricing. If you have dental insurance or a health care savings account let one of our front desk staff know. The best way to find out what your root canal costs will be is to schedule a consultation with a dentist and get an official estimate.
Emergency Root Canal Surgery
Oral infections can quickly become serious, so prompt treatment is essential to prevent a minor problem from becoming a major one. Nobody wants to have emergency root canal surgery, but it’s significant to note that the procedure is far less painful than the infection that leads to is. If you develop any of the symptoms listed above, it’s best to make an urgent appointment with your dental practitioner in case you need emergency care.
For more information about root canal treatment, please contact Nordel Crossing Dental Centre, one of the best dentists in North Delta BC to schedule your consultation today.
