It is important to understand the anatomy of the tooth first, to understand the root canal. The pulp, which is a soft material inside your teeth, contains blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves. Any infection on the pulp will lead to severe pain and a root canal might be necessary to treat the infected pulp.
The root canal is a small tube in which nerves enter into the roots of the tooth and run into the pulp chamber. Some teeth may have one, but some may have more.
You might need a root canal if there’s an injury or trauma that leads to a pulp infection. If left untreated, this can lead to various dental issues. Problems with the pulp can lead to excess blood flow and cellular activity causing pressure inside the tooth, which cannot be naturally relieved. This causes pain when biting down or when exposed to hot or cold. Sometimes the infection can spread to the bone and leads the tooth to fall out.
Don’t wait till a dental problem gets worse. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.
Depending on the situation of the patient, it can take from one to a few appointments with the dentist in port coquitlam. Sometimes a root canal may be paired with a crown or filling, whereas sometimes, you will be asked to wait for a short period for the tooth to drain and topical medication is applied to protect against harmful bacteria.
In certain circumstances, the tooth can still show weakness even after filling, needing reinforcement in the form of a metal or fiber-reinforced resin post. After the area is sealed, the tooth is usually protected with a crown. The material for the crown can be anything from ceramic, gold, or alloy, depending on your choice and situation.
Root canals can be stressful, but we can provide you with the best follow up treatment to minimize the discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers and other dental hygiene methods.
Complications are rare after a root canal therapy; however, new infections can occur due to multiple reasons. This may include an undetected crack or breakdown of the inner sealing material. Always follow-up frequently after your root canal to avoid such situations.
If you choose to not go for a root canal, then the next solution is the extraction of the infected tooth. If the tooth is hidden back in your mouth, this can lead to movement of residing teeth, resulting in a bad bite which will require an implant or bridge. A root canal is always suggested so that you can keep your original teeth and still fix your dental problems.
