As time goes by, experts are continuously innovating the tools and equipment that dentists use with this treatment. With the help of laser-assisted technology, root canal therapy is now painless and faster. Slowly but surely, dental clinics are gaining the trust of their patients by introducing this modern dental equipment. 

To help you understand better and feel more at ease with the treatment, here is a complete guide of the procedure.

Root canal treatment procedure

Generally, root canal treatment procedure requires two visits to the dentist’s office. Each dental appointment may take around an hour depending on the extent of the treatment. This process may be done by a dentist or a specialist they call as an endodontist. Endodontists are dentists who are experts in diagnosing and treating teeth issues that involve the pulp and the inner tissues.  

During your initial consultation, you should expect that your dentist will run a comprehensive assessment of your situation. After this evaluation, your dentist will recommend either root canal therapy or other root canal treatment alternatives to save your teeth. Furthermore, here is the step-by-step guide to giving you a clearer grasp of the process. 

First dental appointment

1. Taking an X-ray. Before anything else, your dentist should be able to see through an X-ray the exact situation of your tooth. The X-ray will be able to determine the structure of the teeth and show signs of infection either in the chamber or the surrounding bones.  
2. Giving local anesthesia. Once the dentist has identified the issue, he begins the procedure by administering anesthesia on the area of the affected site to numb it. Although anesthesia isn’t necessary due to the dead nerves, this root canal treatment procedure helps in keeping the patient at ease. 
3. Placing a rubber dam. Your dentist will then secure the affected tooth by placing a rubber dam around it. The rubber dam or sheet is also responsible for keeping the site dry and clean from debris and saliva. 
4. Accessing through a hole. This time, your tooth is ready for the drilling. Using either a dental drill or laser equipment, your dentist will create a hole to access the interior where the infected pulp is. The access is made on top of the tooth that is directly in line with the tooth chamber.
5. Removing infection. Using a dental file, your dentist begins to remove and clear away the infection. These include decayed nerves and tissues found in the tooth. 
6. Cleaning thoroughly. Your dentist in Ontario continues to clean up the root canal and uses the file to scrub and scrape it sides. This will smoothen the surfaces and prevents bacteria to cling in them again. 
7. Flushing the debris. After cleansing, it’s time to flush away the debris with sodium hypochlorite or regular water.  
8. Putting medication. Sometimes, dentists skip this part if it’s unnecessary for a specific patient. However, if he sees that additional medication is required, he puts medication just before sealing the tooth to avoid further infection. 
9. Sealing the tooth. 
   • Temporary filling. If the tooth has a medication, he places a temporary filling at the top of the hole to protect it from contaminants like saliva or food. 
   • Permanent filling. Once the infection has cleared up, you will return on the next appointment to have your permanent filling. The temporary cover is taken away and then the root canal is filled with gutta-percha. Then, your dentist finally seals the tooth with an external and permanent filling. 
10. Restoration. Some patients may need restorations like crowns or bridges to completely regain the function and appearance of his tooth. For some root canal treatment alternatives such as implants or dentures, it is best to talk to the dentist to know if you’re a good candidate for that dental procedure.

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How do cavities develop on your teeth? 

One way to effectively avoid cavities from developing on your teeth is to understand how they are created. Do you know why dentists always advise you to keep away from sweets? They’re not forbidding you to enjoy these delicacies. In fact, there’s an important reason for this. 

Sweets like candies, juice, and soda have sugar that easily attracts bacteria. If these food elements aren’t properly removed from your teeth, they become breeding grounds for oral diseases. Even when you brush your teeth after eating sweets, it’s still prone to developing caries. That’s why you need to regularly see your dentists so they could perform cavity treatment options to keep your smile healthy.

Preventing dental caries 

While you already know that seeing your dentist regularly is an essential part of your oral care, there are other ways to prevent cavities. 

• Chewing on sugar-free gum after meals. This technique has shown benefits on your teeth according to experts. Since you stimulate a good saliva flow while chewing, this prevents bacteria and plaque buildup. It can already be one good way to practice early cavity treatment without going to the clinic.
• Oil pulling as an oral regimen. Oil pulling is a traditional method where you swish coconut or sesame oil in your mouth for around 20 minutes before spitting it out. Patients who practice this claim that it helps in reducing the risks of cavities and gingivitis.
• Cutting out sugar intake. For most patients, it is a challenge to stop eating sugary foods or drinking sweet beverages. Especially that sugar is a recipe to every delectable treat, you will need an effective motivation to stop having it. However, once you’re able to cut out on sweets, you’ll less likely to develop cavities. 

Early cavity treatment 

There are various cavity treatment options today to help you save your teeth from cavity damage. These procedures depend on the severity of your case and dentists perform the ones that are most suitable for you.

1. Remineralization

Even before dental caries begins to develop on your teeth, you could already practice remineralization. This natural process costs you nothing by just making sure that you keep away from foods that are harmful to your teeth, such as sweets. Aside from that, you may strengthen your teeth health by intaking vitamins and calcium-rich foods.  It’s also important to keep hydrated as dry mouth is very susceptible to bacteria. This early cavity treatment is the most effective and may be done without much effort.

2. Fluoride treatment

One effect of dental caries is the damage on your tooth’s enamel. Fluoride treatment helps in preventing the spread of the destruction and may reverse it. Fluoride helps in restoring the strength of your tooth enamel and effectively shields the teeth from bacteria growth. You may get fluoride from tap water, toothpaste, and from a professional fluoride treatment using gel, foam, liquid or varnish.

3. Fillings

Dental fillings or restorations are common cavity treatment options for patients that are already suffering tooth decay. Fillings are made of materials such as amalgam, composite resin or porcelain to cover up a damaged tooth. Depending on where the damage has occurred, your dentist will also consider the most suitable type of filling for you. 

Cavity issues are quite manageable, however, you should always consult your Ontario dentist to ensure the health and beauty of your smile.

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As dentistry covers such a wide field, there are several types of dentist to specialize in each area with the most common kinds being general and cosmetic dentist. You will find one or even both in most clinics. As there are various differences between the two, it is important to know what each does. This will ensure you seek the type of dentist suited to the kind of treatment you are looking to receive.

What Does a General Dentist Do?

For regular checkups, cleanings, and much of your other routine treatment, you will need to see a general dentist. General dentists offer preventive care to help you avoid tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. They also carry out basic restorative services, including fillings and root canals, and even some cosmetic treatments, like teeth whitening and dental bonding.

What Does a Cosmetic Dentist Do?

A cosmetic dentist must undergo additional training to be able to perform more complex procedures. If you have a missing or severely damaged tooth, you will need to visit a cosmetic dentist for a crown, bridge, implant, veneer, inlay, or onlay.

Cosmetic dentists also offer treatment for cavities. As they are more concerned with smile enhancement, they offer composite fillings that match the colour of natural teeth rather than metal amalgam fillings. With a cosmetic dentist, you can also opt for Invisalign braces rather than traditional metal braces. These are a virtually invisible way of straightening teeth which is ideal for teens and adults. Your cosmetic dentist will provide you with the best options that are suited to your dental needs.

Can a Cosmetic Dentist Offer General Dental Services?

As cosmetic dentists have all the same training as a general dentist, they can also perform checkups, X-rays, and anything else you would receive from a general dentist.

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If you have a serious problem with your teeth outside of office hours or you suffer an injury that requires immediate attention, you need to seek the services of an emergency dentist. It is imperative that you know when a situation requires emergency treatment or not. Some dentists lack on-call services, but you can still avoid a visit to the hospital simply by seeking a clinic in Sault Ste Marie who does handle emergencies, such as Cho Family Dentistry.

What Constitutes as a Dental Emergency?

Before calling a dentist, you need to know what situations require urgent care. This tends to depend more on the severity than type of injury. Cracked and broken teeth caused by impact or biting hard food require medical attention if the damage is extensive. You should always see an emergency dentist if a large piece of your tooth breaks off, you suffer nerve damage, or you knock a tooth out completely.

Dental emergencies also include severe toothaches and other types of intense pain. When accompanied by a fever, this may suggest you have an abscess. If you have suffered a blow to the face, it could even be a sign of a fractured jaw. If you are ever unsure whether you have an emergency, it is best to call your dentist and describe the symptoms rather than risk waiting.

What Can Wait Until Morning?

If you slightly chip a tooth or suffer a minor fracture outside of office hours, it is better to wait until the next day. Once the clinic reopens, you can contact your dentist to book an appointment as soon as possible to restore your smile. Damage to a front tooth will impact your appearance, but if it is only cosmetic it will have no impact on your health and is therefore not an emergency.

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It is essential to find a clinic that offers a variety of general dental treatment which you can patronize in Sault Ste Marie. This will allow you to always receive your checkups, cleanings, and other general dental treatments in the same place. You will build a relationship with the medical staff, and your dentist will be familiar with your medical records. When looking for a clinic, you want to find the best. In Sault Ste Marie, there are several options.

Northern Dental Care

Open six days a week, Northern Dental Care is always ready to receive new patients. As the clinic consists of a number of dentists and specialists, you can even book same-day appointments. The general dentistry services are open to families, and there is the option of sedation for any patients who have a fear of receiving dental treatment.

Cho Family Dentistry

Specializing in preventive dental care, the medical staff at Cho Family Dentistry strive for early detection of conditions including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. The dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Cho, uses only the latest technology there is available for diagnosis. He maintains open lines of communication with his patients to ensure he ise able to make informed decisions with regards to treatment options.

Bay Dental Group

Bay Dental Group offers customized treatment plans for adults, kids, and children. The clinic offers family-friendly appointment scheduling to make visiting the dentist easier. You can also choose from various flexible payment plans to ensure you are always able to receive the treatment you need.

Cambrian Dental Care

The modern facilities of Cambrian Dental Care are open to patients of all ages. General dentistry services include implants, therapy for sleep apnea, smile makeovers, and veneers. In addition to routine treatment, the clinic offers emergency care, available 24 hours a day.

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In dental emergencies, your dentist will take action to prevent damage to your tooth, avoid tooth loss, and reduce pain. As dental emergencies fall into one of two categories, there are only a few common treatments. In addition to the emergency treatment, you will most likely need to return for further appointments.

Treatment for Visibly Damaged Teeth

Unfortunately, teeth damage easily, such as in sports injuries or after biting hard food. This can lead to chips, cracks, fractures, and knocked out teeth.

1. Large chips usually require a dental cap or crown. In your emergency visit, your dentist will check the roots and nearby bone. If everything looks fine, he or she will prepare the tooth for a subsequent appointment, at which you will receive the permanent solution.
2. In the case of a crack or fracture, your dentist may recommend a veneer to cover the surface of the tooth. Again, the dentist will check for any other problems and prepare the tooth for a later appointment when the veneer is ready.
3. If you have knocked out a tooth, your dentist will try to reinsert it, holding it in place in with a splint. For best results, you need to see your dentist within one hour of the accident. You may also need a root canal, either during the emergency appointment or later. If your natural tooth is unable to reattach, your dentist will explore other options to fill the gap, such as an implant.

Treating Pain

The other type of dental emergency is extreme toothache. Your dentist will ask you questions about the pain, including when it started, where it is located, and the severity. He or she will examine your mouth and teeth, in some cases taking X-rays. Treatment for toothache depends on the cause but usually consists of filling the cavity or carrying out root canal treatment.

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Choosing a family dentist means usually just one trip to the dentist every six months instead of various appointments at different clinics around Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. Plus, as your kids will see you receiving dental checkups and treatment, they will realize the importance of good oral care and will be less likely to feel anxious when it’s their turn to have their teeth checked. The trick is to find the right practice for your family in the city.

1. Ask for Referrals

Ask your friends, neighbors, and coworkers for their recommendations. Make sure to ask families with kids to find a clinic that is child-friendly.

2. Research Online

Check out websites of potential clinics to find out what services they offer. If you need anything more than routine checkups and cleanings, this is especially important. Some dentist have a specialization, such as cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, or periodontics. You should also read the dentists’ biographies — look for someone with many years of experience treating adults and children of all ages. It may also be important to look for a dentist who offers pediatric dentistry services.

3. Read Reviews

Take your research a step further by checking out online reviews. This will give you an idea of how the dentists interact with patients and what dental procedures they have experience with.

4. Schedule an Initial Consultation

Before you make up your mind, visit a few of the clinics you have researched to check out the facilities and meet the staff. This will allow you and your family members to voice any concerns and ensure you all feel comfortable with the dentist. You want to find a family dentist you can talk with about your dental health and who will offer you good preventive care solutions. For your kids, you want someone who is patient, gentle, and good at communicating.

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