Root Canal Treatments At Your Local Dentist
Root canal treatments are part of the services that your local dentist here at Coppersmith Dental Centre in Richmond offers. Root canals helps to restore a tooth or teeth with infected roots. If you need a straightforward root canal, your dentist can perform this procedure here, at the clinic. If we inspect the tooth and discover specific, advanced treatment is needed, we can refer you to a specialist in our area with whom we have a close relationship.
Frequently Asked Root Canal Questions
We have broken this page into sections based on the most frequently asked Root Canal questions. The sections are:
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What Is a Root Canal?
Why is a root canal needed?
When the soft tissue or the pulp inside the root of a tooth becomes infected or inflamed, it can cause pain and lead to additional dental and health problems. Since a root canal removes this damaged tissue in the tooth, the tooth can function as normal. If you don’t get a root canal when there is an infection in a tooth, the infection can spread and lead to additional health problems, including abscessed teeth and damage to the bone surrounding the teeth. As a result, it is important to get a root canal when your dentist recommends this treatment.
During a root canal procedure, a dentist takes out the infected pulp from inside the tooth. The dentist will fill the tooth and restore it with a crown to protect it and allow it to function like a regular tooth.
How Do You Know Whether You Need a Root Canal?
One of the indications that you might need a root canal is feeling pain when chewing or when you bite down. In some cases, a chipped or cracked tooth will also require a root canal. Alternatively, you may need a root canal if you have a tooth that is very sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. Tooth decay or dark gums are also an indication that a problem exists and you might need a root canal.
When you visit your dentist to examine a damaged or infected tooth, you’ll first need to receive an X-ray. The X-ray will allow your dentist to see the shape of the tooth, and your dentist can determine whether any infection exists and whether you’ll need a root canal.
Richmond Dentists Raymond Tang (left) and Erica Gyamfi (right)
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What Dental Issues Cause Damage That Would Result in a Root Canal?
Several issues can occur that would create the need for your local dentist with your Richmond restorative dentistry team to suggest root canal treatment. If you get hit in the mouth when playing sports or during some other activity, and trauma or damage to the tooth exists, you might need a root canal. An untreated cavity can also lead to tooth damage that would require this procedure.
What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure?
During a root canal procedure, your local dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area surrounding the tooth. At Coppersmith Dental Centre, we will spend as much time as you need to make sure you feel comfortable and relaxed before the procedure starts. Your dentist will make sure the tooth stays dry before drilling an access hole. The dentist will clean out the pulp and any bacteria. Once the area is completely clean, the dentist can then seal it. In many cases, you may need to wait a week or two before getting the tooth sealed.
What Can You Expect After a Root Canal Procedure?
After a root canal procedure, you might feel a small amount of sensitivity around the tooth for a few days, but you can return to regular activity as soon as you desire. You can take over-the-counter pain medications to relieve any discomfort. It is also important to keep from biting or chewing on the tooth until your dentist restores it. Make sure to schedule a restoration as soon as possible to minimize the risk of a fracture.
The restored tooth will last as long as a regular tooth. You need to make sure you brush and floss regularly and keep up with regular dental checkups.
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How Do I Prevent the Need for a Root Canal?
Since a root canal is often the result of tooth decay, the best way to prevent the need for one is to take care of your teeth. Practice good oral hygiene such as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Make sure to see your dentist on a regular basis. Your dentist can make sure your teeth are healthy and help to prevent issues before they happen.
To prevent trauma as a result of a sports-related injury, you can wear a mouthguard when playing any sports.
For more information or questions about whether you may need a root canal, contact our team at Coppersmith Dental Centre.
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