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Endodontics
At Family Dental Care in Prince George, our endodontist performs endodontic treatment, including root canals, to help save a damaged tooth to prevent the need for an extraction.
What is Endodontics?
Endodontics is a dental specialty that focuses on root canals and the treatment of dental pulp and tissues surrounding the tooth root. Endodontic treatment is necessary when the dental pulp becomes inflamed or infected.
Inflammation or infection of the tooth root can have a variety of causes including: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, or a crack or chip in the tooth. If left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
Root Canal Treatment
A root canal is a procedure where the endodontist removes diseased material (blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues) from the interior of a damaged tooth. Without a root canal, damaged teeth can die and need to be pulled.
The endodontist will begin by removing the diseased tissue from the tooth. Next, they will clean and disinfect the inner chamber and fill it with medicated material to prevent infection. To finish the procedure, the tooth is generally capped with a dental restoration, such as a dental crown.
A root canal can help to relieve symptoms, save your natural tooth, and limit the need for more extensive dental work.
Endodontic Retreatment
If you've already had a root canal and you're experiencing issues again, the endodontist will reopen your tooth and remove the filling that was placed during the first procedure. The endodontist then carefully examines the tooth, looking for additional canals or new infections.
Endodontic Surgery
Endodontic surgery can be used to help locate small fractures or hidden canals previously undetected on x-rays during the initial treatment. Surgery may also be needed to remove calcium deposits in root canals or to help treat damaged root surfaces or the surrounding bone of the tooth.