Endodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in diagnosing and treating the dental pulp. The pulp, or nerve, of a tooth can sometimes become inflamed due to trauma, force, decay, or extreme temperatures – left alone the tooth can self-heal, but this is not always the case, with the pulp becoming infected and the tooth experiencing extreme discomfort.
SE Calgary Dentists at South Trail Crossing Dental empathize with patients who are dealing with dental pain caused by the nerve of a tooth dying. Woken from a deep sleep by throbbing pain – or experiencing sudden and severe discomfort when drinking a hot or cold drink – there’s no escaping the pain associated with nerve/pulp inflammation and usually, a trip to your SE Calgary Dentist is required to resolve the issue. Ignoring symptoms of a diseased pulp can result in infection that damages surrounding dental tissues (bone and ligaments) and prompt an emergency visit to the dentist.
Endodontics usually consists of treating a diseased pulp with root canal therapy. Once thought of as the worse dental procedure anyone could face – the truth of the matter is that having a root canal has always been a straightforward procedure – it’s the discomfort leading up to treatment that causes all the stress. When a SE Calgary Dentist performs a Root Canal the tooth is frozen and then a small hole is made in the top or back of the tooth to expose the pulp. Using specific files the pulp and other necrotic or infected tissues are removed and the space is sealed with a special material. The dentist then places a filling in the opening and sometimes places a crown to provide additional protection and strength to the tooth. A tooth that has had root canal therapy is no longer considered vital – as the blood supply to the tooth has been removed. Over time the tooth may become brittle – so placing a crown reduces the risk of the tooth fracturing.
A root canal is nothing to fear – and is a routine procedure that Endodontists and General Dentists perform. If faced with extracting a tooth or having a root canal – root canal treatment is often selected as it not only addresses the diseased pulp but allows a patient to keep their natural tooth.
For more information on Endodontics – contact South Trail Dental today 403.720.2778