Dentists in NE Calgary perform root canals on a daily basis. Though considered a major dental appointment to patients – root canals are actually a common procedure in a dental office and can be the only solution for saving a tooth. Root canal therapy may be required due to – trauma, decay, infection, and removals (when a tooth is knocked out of the socket) and may be a preliminary step in preparing a tooth for crown coverage.
NE Calgary Dentists at Discover Dental explain that a root canal is needed when the nerve of the tooth is damaged – causing the nerve, or pulp, to break down and bacteria begin to form in the pulp chamber. A root canal involves removing the decayed pulp and all traces of infection – sealing the canals – and then placing a permanent restoration on the tooth. It’s important to stress that a tooth that has had root canal therapy is no longer vital – meaning there is no longer blood supply going to the tooth – so the tooth becomes dry and brittle over time and becomes susceptible to breakage. Even though the tooth ‘feels’ great after a root canal – it’ important to follow-up with the final restoration to ensure the tooth is properly protected.
Placing a crown on a root canaled tooth is often required to help protect the tooth from further damage. Root canaled teeth are no longer receiving any nutrients due to the removal of blood supply; consequently they become fragile over time and are prone to fracturing – placing a crown provides necessary support and protection to the treated tooth. Calgary General Dentists at Discover Dental advise patients on the many advantages of not waiting too long before placing a crown on a tooth that has been endodontically treated. These Calgary Dentists stress the importance of placing a crown on a back tooth (molar) following root canal therapy as molars can have a lot of stress put on them when biting, chewing, clenching, and grinding. Once your Calgary Dentist has established that root canal treatment was successful – usually within a couple of months – you can make an appointment for the final restoration. Don’t forget to follow-up with this vital step as though your tooth is now pain free and feeling like normal – there may be only a temporary filling sealing the tooth. This type of filling material is not designed to last long-term as can start to crumble and fall out of the tooth. Moving forward with a permanent filling or crown will prevent further trauma to the tooth and ensure the tooth has every chance for long-term retention.
Dr’s Dhesi, Jandu, Dhillon and Minhas encourage patients to contact them to discuss the need to place a permanent restoration on a tooth that has been endodontically treated. Providing restorative solutions that are cosmetically pleasing allows this team of NE Calgary Dentists to have patients smiling in no time. If you have had a root canal and need to place a permanent restoration on the tooth – contact these Calgary Dentists today – 403.285.0222