Root Canal Therapy in Calgary
Root canal treatment can help to restore and maintain a natural tooth structure. Trauma and deep cavities can all lead to infected nerves which can only be remedied by root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment may be completed by a specialist Endodontist or a general dentist, like our dentist in SE Calgary, Dr. Hans Meyer. If you’re in pain and suspect you need a root canal procedure, don’t delay treatment. The sooner you book your consultation, the sooner you can find relief.
Root canal treatment and Endodontics
Endodontics is a specialist branch of dentistry concerned with root canal treatment. A root canal treatment is used to remove infected nerve tissue to prevent future infections. It can provide pain relief from recurring infections and abscesses. It is also an effective treatment for preserving a natural tooth and offers an alternative to dental extraction.
The root canal procedure
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The treatment starts with a local anesthetic to numb the area. If there is an active infection or abscess, Dr. Meyer will get the infection under control with antibiotics before going ahead with the treatment. This is because it is much harder to completely numb an area when it is inflamed, so the treatment can be more painful.
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Once the area is numb, Dr. Meyer will make a small hole in your tooth to expose the infected nerve. He will then use small files to extract all of the dead or dying organic material from the root canals.
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Once clear, the canals are cleaned and filled with an antimicrobial filling to sterilize the area. This is a common step taken by Endodontists and one that we believe is important to the success of the root canal treatment.
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This antimicrobial material is left in the tooth for 2 weeks, topped with a temporary filling. After two weeks, you will return to the Dental 360 office in Calgary for the final restoration. While some general dentists will complete a root canal in one visit, Dr. Meyer prefers the Endodontist approach to this specialty.
Root canal restoration options
Depending on the tooth placement, you may be offered a filling or a dental crown to restore the tooth. Restoration of a large tooth such as a molar will last longer if a crown is used over a filing. This is because of the pressure placed on this area of the mouth. A small tooth with no existing fillings may be restored with a filling, but this all depends on the remaining tooth structure.
Before topping with a filling or crown, the root canals are filled with a special rubber material to help strengthen the structure and protect against future infection.
Root canal treatment may be the best solution for a painful toothache, but it can also lead to other dental problems like infection and bone loss if handled improperly. Dr. Meyer is trained in performing root canal treatments with modern techniques that keep these risks at bay.
Get started on the road to recovery by contacting us today! We’re here to answer any questions you might have about root canal treatment, and explain how we can help.
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Questions you may have about root canal treatment
A root canal is a restorative dental procedure required when the nerve of a tooth has died or is dying. This is nearly always the result of trauma to the tooth or a deep cavity. When the nerve dies, you will experience an uncomfortable throbbing pain in your tooth. Infections may subside with antibiotics, but only a root canal therapy or extraction will fix the problem.
Antibiotics may be able to bring the infection under control for a short time, but it will always come back. If left untreated, this can cause an abscess to form. This can lead to bone loss and damage to the gums and surrounding structures. If left untreated, the chances of a successful root canal treatment are reduced. Eventually, the only option will be a dental extraction.
Root canal treatment has a bad reputation as being one of the most painful procedures. This is likely the result of dentists performing root canals on active infections. By getting the infection under control before treatment, the chances of a painful procedure are greatly reduced.
Dr. Meyer will do everything to ensure you are comfortable and relaxed throughout the procedure, so you can rest assured that your root canal therapy should feel no different than a simple cavity filling. If you are very nervous about the procedure, we can explore the possibility of dental sedation.
To a certain extent, yes. If you are concerned about costs, a filling may be an option instead of a crown. However, you should be aware that a filling restoration will eventually fail and could require further treatment.
Root canal treatment is completed in 2 visits spread 2 weeks apart. This is to give the temporary antimicrobial filling time to fully sterilize the root canals and reduce the risk of infection once the canal is filled permanently.
Dr. Meyer rarely refers cases to an Endodontist. Around 95% of all root canal treatments can be carried out in the Dental 360 office in SE Calgary. On rare occasions, if the root canals are complex or unpredictable, or if there is calcification of the root, a specialist will take over treatment.