Keep your smile bright with expert root canal therapy in SW Calgary!
Do you have an infection in the root of your tooth? You may need SW Calgary root canal therapy. A root canal is a dental treatment where the infected pulp is removed. This important part of your tooth is where the connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves are. In one or two appointments, the infection can be eliminated leaving you with a fully functioning tooth again. Many people would rather bypass this treatment due to fears or misconceptions. It is important to understand that root canals are beneficial in maintaining the health of your tooth.
Root canal treatment prevents you from entering the danger zone for oral and other health problems. Avoiding this treatment can lead to tooth loss or a buildup of bacteria inside your mouth that can affect other parts of your body. If infection enters your bloodstream you could end up with sepsis, a serious disease where the body can no longer fight off illness.
Simply put, pain and other issues can be eliminated after a root canal.
Why Do You Want to Keep All Your Teeth?
It is important to maintain your oral health to lessen the risk of complications. Without teeth, you may experience:
- Difficulty doing daily activities like eating and speaking.
- Your other teeth can be affected and shift, causing your entire facial structure to lose support and sag.
- There is an increased risk of infection when there is a gap or open wound in your mouth.
Root Canal in SW Calgary and The Myths Around It
The many myths surrounding root canals are explained here, and the truth is uncovered. See why root canal treatment actually has positive effects.
Misconception 1 – Root Canals Are Painful: This is probably the most common misconception about the procedure. Pain is caused by the infection within your tooth’s soft tissue, not coming from your treatment. Tooth pain means something is wrong and when the nerve is inflamed, it can hurt when chewing or biting down. A root canal can alleviate the pain by removing the damaged tissue and repairing the enamel.
Misconception 2 – Tooth Extraction is the Solution to Your Dental Problem: Instead of getting the infected tissue removed from your tooth, why wouldn’t you just get it pulled to eliminate the source completely? While this may sound like a good idea, it is better to save the tooth when you can. Removing the tooth may require further treatment like a bridge or dental implant. Keeping your natural tooth preserves the look, functionality and feel.
Misconception 3 – They Just Don’t Work: Root canals are destined to fail. This is untrue. If you take proper care of your teeth and gums, then you have a good chance of your root canal treated tooth lasting a lifetime. It is, after all, your natural tooth, but with a protective crown on top.
Misconception 4 – It is Unnecessary When There Is No Pain: You may think a SW Calgary root canal therapy is unwarranted if your mouth is perfectly comfortable. Even if you don’t feel any pain, you can still have a dental problem. An infected tooth can be deep enough that it has killed the nerves and pulp, causing you to feel nothing. Your dentist will know the proper next steps to take to help you keep a healthy oral cavity.
How Does a Root Canal Work?
A root canal requires four steps.
Step 1 – The area being worked on is numbed with a local anesthetic so your dentist can drill a small hole to access the pulp and root canals.
Step 2 – The diseased tissue is taken out and the root canals and pulp are disinfected.
Step 3 – Your tooth is reshaped so it can match the rest of your teeth and filled to close off the gap.
Step 4 – You may be fitted with a temporary crown until a permanent one can be put on the tooth in a few weeks. This step is determined by the integrity of the tooth.
To Finalize…
Just because they have a bad reputation doesn’t mean they are the wrong choice of treatment. Root canals are often judged without knowing all the facts but as you may have been taught growing up, you should never judge a book by its cover. At Glenbrook Dental, we are here to support you through the entire root canal process and any other treatments you may require. Our dental professionals will provide you with a solution to all your oral health care needs whether it be for SW Calgary root canal therapy or something else.