Save a tooth month!
May 2020
In Honour of “Save your tooth month” we want to share with you all the amazing ways to save your teeth! Whenever possible, the endodontist and dentist try to save your natural tooth and tooth dentition. Endodontists offer several options that help you keep your teeth natural and healthy, see below.
Root canal therapy:
A root canal treatment is not what it used to be! Modern root canal therapy is comparable to a filling. Depending on the condition of the tooth, it can be done in 1 to 2 appointments! A root canal is performed on a tooth that has bacteria or an infection. The endodontist will remove the infected pulp and clean the inside of your tooth and seal it back up. Essentially, inside your tooth, there is a layer called “dentin” and beneath that layer is a tissue called “pulp”. Pulp contains blood vessels and nerves, this helps the root grow and develop. Your tooth can be saved by removing this pulp as a fully developed tooth can survive without it.
Having a root canal enables you to save your natural tooth and can still be efficient! You will still be able to do all your normal chewing, bitting, have the same sensation, and your same smile!
Retreatment:
Root canal treatment can cause your tooth to live a very long life. However, some issues can occur if you do not properly care for the tooth. Sometimes the tooth can heal improperly or get reinfected. Luckily, retreatments are the solution to this! What happens during this procedure is that the endodontist must reopen your tooth that was previously treated as a root canal and remove canal filling to clean the canals and examine the tooth. Then the endodontist will place a temporary filling in the tooth. Once this treatment is completed you will need to return to your dentist to have a new crown placed on your tooth to protect it!
Endodontic Surgery:
Surgery is usually the very last resort for patients. This option is presented when a root canal procedure is not enough to save your natural tooth. Surgery can be useful in locating fractures or hidden canals that go undetected by X-rays. Surgery is also efficient to remove calcium in root canals or adjust damaged root surfaces. This can be done with modern and advanced technology such as digital imaging and microscopes that allow for successful procedures. The most common surgery that is performed on a tooth is called “apicoectomy” which is done to aid inflamed or infected persists in bony areas around the tooth after a root canal procedure.