An endodontist in Markham, ON, is a dental specialist who diagnoses and treats disorders of tissues within the tooth like the pulp. They are best known for performing root canals.
What Can a Patient Expect from a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure done when a tooth has suffered damage or decay that has led to the pulp inside becoming infected. It is thus done to try to save the tooth instead of having it extracted.
The dentist will administer a local anesthetic to keep the patient comfortable. They will place a rubber dental dam around the tooth to isolate it from the rest of the mouth and keep it clean and dry. If the patient has had a filling, the dentist will remove it. They will then use a drill in order to reach the pulp.
The endodontist in Markham, ON, will use special small instruments to remove the pulp and clean out the root canals. The dentist will then fill the canals with a material called gutta-percha. The dentist may cement a post to keep the restoration in place, and they will fill the remaining space in the chamber with the composite resin used in fillings. In many cases, they will cap the tooth with a crown.
What is a Crown?
A crown or cap is a type of restoration used to strengthen a damaged or decayed tooth. The endodontist in Markham, ON, will often place a crown over the tooth after a root canal. After completing the root canal, the dentist will prepare the tooth for the crown and then take an impression to send to the dental lab. They will also use a shade guide to ensure the crown is the same color as the patient’s natural teeth. The dentist will then place a temporary crown over the patient’s tooth.
After the dental lab has custom-made the crown, the dentist will remove the temporary crown. They will then cement the permanent crown in place and ensure it fits perfectly.
