Root Canal Dentist in Calgary
Understandably, root canals are something that most adults try to avoid. Why? Because, to be honest, they can be a little scary and patients often fear they will be very painful. However, a good root canal dentist will be able to perform the procedure with minimal downtime and without inflicting unnecessary pain. Even though many patients are afraid of root canals the good news is that a lot of time to root canals don’t hurt very much at all. However, before going into the dental office for a root canal it’s good to know what to expect from the Root Canal dentist in Calgary.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is essentially when decay sets into the root of the tooth. This can cause an infection and is quite an urgent situation. When you go into a dental office a root canal dentist will remove the pulp inside the tooth and the tooth roots. The pulp is the soft connective tissue that is inside the tooth and contains all of the blood vessels and nerves. It’s also common for a root canal dentist to place a crown over the tooth following the procedure to strengthen the tooth.
You may need a root canal if you are experiencing a severe toothache. This typically indicates that the pulp has become infected and, if left untreated, an abscess may form because of the bacteria from the infected tooth. Abscesses are very dangerous as they can cause serious illness if the infection spreads to other parts of the body. This is why it is important to visit a root canal dentist if you have a bad toothache.
If you have a serious amount of decay or infection in a tooth and you seek the help of a root canal dentist in time, the dentist may be able to prevent the removal of the natural tooth. Although a cavity is the most common cause of a root canal they can also be required if a cracked or broken tooth causes the nerve within the tooth to be exposed. This can essentially lead to the death of the tooth. Although the root canal procedure itself may seem scary, it will be very beneficial once it’s over, as it will relieve painful toothache and prevent the infection from spreading further.
What To Expect From a Endodontic Procedure
A general dentist will be able to perform a root canal. The dentist will take an x-ray of the infected tooth first to get a good overview of the best way to treat the tooth. The next step is to give a local anesthetic to the area which will make sure that there will be no pain or discomfort associated with the procedure. A root canal dentist may also offer nitrous oxide or some form of sedation to help a patient relax. The dentist will then proceed with the root canal, which will involve placing a dental dam over the mouth to isolate the tooth.
The dentist will remove the decay and the interior of the tooth which contains the pulp. Once all the infected areas have been removed they will disinfect the tooth and fill the inside with natural latex. A harder protective filling will be used for the tooth exterior.
It’s not uncommon as the general anesthetic wears off for patients to experience a little bit of pain, but this will fade quickly. The dentist may prescribe an antibiotic if they are concerned about bacteria and swelling. Some dentists may also prescribe a prescription painkiller or may simply recommend that the patient use over-the-counter pain medicine.
It may take a couple of days to feel comfortable when chewing so it’s often advised to eat soft foods right after the procedure. However, you can brush and floss your teeth as normal and you should be right as rain within a couple of days
If you are in pain and suspect you might be in need root canal therapy, contact Inglewood Family Dental to arrange for a consultation with Calgary root canal dentist Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh.
Call us at (403) 265-5888 to request your consultation with a Calgary dentist at Inglewood Family Dental today!
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