Root canal therapy can help prevent a natural tooth from needing to be replaced with an artificial one.
At JVR Dental in Walnut Grove, we understand how important it is for you to be able to keep your natural teeth in good oral health. That is why we offer a wide range of dental services, including root canal therapy, to patients throughout Langley and the surrounding areas.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, works to remove the infected, injured, or dead pulp from a tooth in order to prevent the tooth from having to be pulled. If the pulp in your tooth has become infected or abscessed by bacteria entering through a deep cavity, crack, or flawed filling, the infection will need to be removed. Teeth that are left untreated can cause pain and/or swelling, as well as other serious oral health problems.
How is Root Canal Therapy Performed?
If your Walnut Grove dentist notices the infection on a dental x-ray or from other changes to the tooth, they will recommend root canal therapy. During this procedure, your dentist will:
1. APPLY A LOCAL ANESTHETIC
Using a needle, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to the tooth in order to numb it for the procedure. Once the tooth is numb, your Walnut Grove dentist might choose to place a dental dam (a small sheet of rubber) to help isolate the tooth and keep it clean during the procedure.
2. DRILL INSIDE THE TOOTH
Your Walnut Grove dentist will use very small tools, including a drill, to create an opening in the top part of the tooth. This will allow your dentist to clear away the damaged and diseased pulp from inside the tooth. In some cases, an antimicrobial solution may be inserted into the tooth to kill any remaining bacteria, reducing the risk for further infection.
3. FILL THE ROOT CANAL
Once the root canal chamber has been thoroughly cleaned and dried, your dentist will fill it with a rubber-like material known as gutta percha. Next, your Walnut Grove dentist will place a temporary filling on the tooth until the permanent crown is ready to be seated.
4. PLACE THE PERMANENT CROWN
After a few weeks, your dentist will finish the root canal therapy by placing the permanent crown or another similar type of restoration on the top of the tooth. Depending on the condition of the natural tooth, your Walnut Grove dentist may also decide to place a small supporting post inside the root chamber in order to make the crown or restoration more stable.
If you would like to learn more about root canal therapy in Walnut Grove, or if you are interested in one of our dental services (generic dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and pediatric dentistry), please contact JVR Dental at 604-371-3138 or by filling out a contact form on our website.
Source: https://www.jvrdental.com/blog/walnut-grove-root-canal-therapy/