If you cringe when you hear the words “root canal treatment“, you should know that modern root canal treatments are not painful. The team of dentists at our Morgan Creek dental clinic applies the most up-to-date dental treatment techniques to ensure you will experience minimal discomfort during your root canal treatment. Our trusted dentists use a local anaesthetic to numb the area and help minimize any discomfort. In fact, most of our patients find it surprising that they didn’t feel any pain during the root canal procedure. The truth is, modern root canal treatments, performed by our experienced Surrey dentists are relatively pain-free and an important part of keeping your teeth strong and maintaining your oral health.
What is a Root Canal Treatment?
A root canal is a procedure used to repair and save a tooth that has been damaged by decay, infection, or trauma. Endodontics procedures like root canal therapy are often performed as a last resort to save teeth. For example, if the pulp of your tooth has infection or inflammation as a result of deep decay, root canal treatment can help solve the issue effectively. Root canal therapy is effective in treating infections since it involves the removal of the affected tooth pulp, cleaning, disinfecting, and sealing the tooth. Normally, after an endodontic procedure like a root canal, the treated tooth is restored with a filling or crown.
Many people are under the impression that root canal treatment is painful but the fact is that it’s your infected/decaying tooth that is causing you the pain, not the actual procedure. The pain is caused by the infection deep within your tooth or the advanced decay that could completely destroy your natural tooth. The root canal treatment will treat the infection and/or the decay which will put an end to your pain and save your natural tooth, as well as prevent many costly issues that will develop if you do lose your tooth.
The Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment can provide significant benefits that include:
- Preserving the natural tooth structure
- Restoring tooth function
- Relieving pain and discomfort
- Preventing further infection
- Improving the look of the tooth
- Preventing the need for a more invasive and expensive procedure
Preparing for a Root Canal
Before undergoing a root canal procedure, our South Surrey dentists will take x-rays to get a better look at the structure of your tooth and to evaluate the extent of the damage. They will also ask about your medical history and discuss any medications that you are taking.
Before the root canal procedure, your dentist will numb your mouth with a topical and local anaesthetic. A rubber dental dam will then be placed in your mouth to isolate the infected tooth. The dental dam is beneficial as it will protect your mouth from any cleaning solutions or debris created by the drill and keeps the tooth undergoing the procedure dry. If the tooth is set deep in your mouth, you may also have a bite block to allow your jaw to rest while keeping your mouth open.
The Procedure
During the procedure, your dentist removes the soft pulp and nerve tissue from the inside of the tooth. Your dentist will use slim dental instruments that fit into the channels or root canals through which the tooth’s nerves are connected. Then the nerve tissue that could form a reservoir for bacteria will be removed. It is extremely important to remove every bit of material from these passageways to prevent future infections, so this part of the procedure usually takes the longest time. While your dentist is removing the tissue, you may feel pressure, but it won’t hurt.
Once all the nerve tissue is removed, your dentist then cleans the area with an antiseptic and seals it with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Finally, a temporary filling is applied until you have your next appointment. This temporary filling will be in your mouth for two to three weeks. This allows your dentist to detect any remaining infection before applying a permanent crown.
Aftercare and Follow-up
After your root canal procedure, your Surrey dentist may also recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help relieve any discomfort. For the first few hours after your procedure when your mouth is still numb, you shouldn’t eat anything that needs chewing or drink anything hot. This is because you can risk burning your mouth or biting down too hard on the restored tooth.
It is also important to attend regular follow-up dental appointments to help ensure that the treated area is healing well and that the infection has been completely eradicated. Your dentist may also review the x-rays of the treated area to make sure that there is no further infection. During these follow-up appointments, your dentist may also check the condition of the restoration and make any necessary adjustments. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene and practice proper care of the treated area, such as avoiding hard and crunchy foods, to ensure the longevity of the treatment. If the area is still sensitive after the root canal treatment, your dentist may recommend a desensitizing toothpaste or a fluoride treatment to reduce the sensitivity. It is important to follow the instructions of your dentist to maximize the success of the treatment.
Book Your Root Canal Treatment Consultation
Our South Surrey dental clinic is equipped with 3D Sirona imaging, rotary endodontic equipment, apex locators, and CEREC 1 Appointment crowns to ensure that your root canal treatment is performed with precision and you experience as little discomfort as possible. Overall, with the use of advanced technology and due to their years of experience, our dentists are able to make a faster and more effective diagnosis, planning, and treatment of the affected teeth.
Root canals can be uncomfortable and even intimidating, but they are an important part of maintaining the health of your teeth. By understanding what to expect during a root canal procedure and following the aftercare instructions provided by your dentist, you can help ensure that your teeth stay healthy and strong for years to come.
For more information about our root canal treatments, contact us today online or call us at 604-542-0123 to schedule your dental appointment. Root canal treatment may be done in a single appointment if planned in advance. At My Dentist at Morgan Creek, we offer various endodontic services including pain-free root canal treatments, Root Canal Retreatments, and Single Visit RCTs. Root canal-treated teeth usually stay pain-free for many years or a lifetime.
