Root Canal Treatment

Is it safe to see the dentist during COVID-19? Yes!

The coronavirus pandemic has altered the world around us. Preventive protocols like physical distancing and covering mouth are now important to avoid the risk of Covid-19 infection. But, it is also important to maintain oral health. A cleaner and healthy mouth contribute to minimizing the chances of viral infections as it is well known that a healthy body is less prone to any infections. The pandemic has pushed many to neglect their oral health concerns and as the world starts to unlock, the question still persists- Is it safe to see the dentist during COVID-19?

Dentist-Covid19

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), there has not been one single reported case of COVID-19 transmission associated with dental offices so far. Just like any of us using masks on daily basis, washing hands, using sanitizers, disinfecting surfaces, the dentists to have already put all preventive protocols in action to ensure safety for their staff and patients. All safe dental offices have geared the patient & staff interaction to be straightforward and predictable by minimizing contact wherever possible, by using PPE kits and minimizing chairside adjustments, etc. Efficiency in all aspects of treatment and operations has now become critical. So, why neglect oral health when all the infection control procedures are in place! The dental community has been issued safety guidelines to follow, but here are a few things you can do to overcome the hesitation of seeing your dentists during the pandemic.

Yes, Please.

Before you make an appointment, here are a few questions you may ask to overcome the apprehension:
If patients are screened over the phone before their visit.
If the practice limits the number of people allowed in the waiting room at one time.
If they disinfect all surfaces including telephones, the EFTPOS machine, door handles, etc.

If all instruments/tools are sterilized after each patient.

If the staff have enough personal protective equipment?
If both staff and patients wear masks at all times?
If they have removed high contact items in the reception area like, magazines & toys.
If they have adjusted seating in the reception area to facilitate social distancing.

If the answer to all of these questions is “yes,” it means the dental office is doing everything to provide a safe environment & hence, you can feel at ease going to the dentist’s office.

Your Call
A safe dental practice puts infection control measures in action and you can see it for yourself in the initial visit. It’s then your choice to go ahead or not. So, here’s a list of everything you need to observe before you make an informed decision.

A safe dental practice:

● Records your detailed travel history and medical history.
● Sterilizes instruments for each and every patient.
● Uses disposable suction tips and instruments.
● Disinfects the dental chair, instrument panels, dental light unit and benchtops between every appointment.
● Places protective barriers over surfaces such as a headrest, x-ray units, etc.
● Uses Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
● Requests patients to undertake a 30-second preoperational antimicrobial mouth rinse with a 0.1% hydrogen peroxide solution before treatment
● Uses high-speed suction that reduces aerosols by 95% whenever possible.
● Uses rubber dam that reduces aerosol by 70% whenever possible.

We know it is not easy right now. Post lockdown, many businesses have reopened, including dental practices. Pandemic or not, dentists are trained to regularly disinfect and will continue to do so. Returning to your dentist is purely a personal decision, but making an informed choice by assessing the hygiene protocols will save you from neglect that can cost more than just money.

Come to Expressions Dental for all your Dental Needs!

Our team of dental professionals follow stringent safety protocols and are always here to help you get the expert dental care you need in Calgary even during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. Do you have questions about our safety procedures? Need more information? Interested in an appointment? You can contact us online or give us a call. See you soon!
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Read more about the article You Might Need a Root Canal if you Have One of These 7 Signs

You Might Need a Root Canal if you Have One of These 7 Signs

Knowing whether you need a root canal without consulting a dentist can be cumbersome. Detecting the need for a root canal during the early stages can be problematic. Will a better oral hygiene routine offer a solution or will the tooth require some dental work? A trained dental professional can answer these questions. Wondering if you need a root canal treatment in Calgary? Feel free to contact us at Expressions Dental

A root canal is a treatment offered to save and repair teeth that are severely infected or decayed. The pulp of the tooth comprises of blood vessels and nerves. When this pulp is damaged, it needs to be removed, and the insides of the tooth are then cleaned and sealed with a root canal treatment.

The physical symptoms that might indicate that you need a root canal usually do not come up until the issue becomes more advanced. That is why it is essential to visit a dentist regularly. But if you avoid these symptoms and cause the problem to escalate, then you will have a potential root canal on your hands. Here are 7 signs you might need a root canal:

1) Persistent pain:

Pain is one of the key markers that something isn’t right with your tooth. If you experience difficulty doing ordinary activities, for example, drinking or eating without feeling pain, you should consider visiting your dentist as soon as you can.

2) Chipped/Cracked Tooth:

You can suffer from a chipped or cracked tooth from being involved in contact sports, eating hard foods or even clenching and grinding. When your tooth gets chipped/cracked, the pulp inside the tooth may be exposed which may lead to an infection. This infection may require root canal treatment to avoid further complications.

3) Heat or cold sensitivity:

If your tooth hurts when you drink hot beverages such as tea or coffee, or when indulging in cold foods and drinks, you might need a root canal to fix the problem. Damaged blood vessels and nerves are to be blamed for the ache.

4) Swollen gums:

Swollen gums are an indication of issues underneath the surface. If your gums are painful and are inflamed or have a raised bump on them, your dentist will look at the swollen gums for the cause. Sometimes, the dentist will suggest a root canal to solve the problem

5) Discolored teeth:

Damaged nerves, exposure to food and drinks that stain the teeth’s enamel or poor dental hygiene can lead to discoloration of teeth. Damage to nerve and blood vessels may require root canal treatment.

6) Prolonged tooth sensitivity:

If putting pressure on your tooth causes it to hurt and that sensation lasts for weeks or months, then you might be in line for a root canal treatment. Prolonged tooth sensitivity is generally resolved with root canal treatment.

7) Deep decay:

If a cavity is ignored for far too long, it will spread deep into the nerve of the tooth. Once it goes deep, no amount of brushing, flossing, or rinsing with mouthwash will solve the problem. In such cases, a root canal treatment is a solution to repair and save the tooth.

For Root Canal Treatment in Calgary NW, please book an appointment with our general dentist, contact us at +1 (403) 252 7733, or visit our dental clinic.

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Read more about the article Getting to the Root of Your Tooth Pain

Getting to the Root of Your Tooth Pain

A toothache is one of the most common dental complaints many of us have. Majority of people think that the pain might be due to tooth decay, but the truth is that are various underlying reasons one may suffer from a toothache. There can be different causes of a toothache, such as gum disease, jaw clenching, tooth sensitivity, cavity etc.

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Read more about the article What is a Root Canal?

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure to repair and save an injured or infected tooth and prevent future infection. The treatment includes removing the infected part of the tooth (the pulp), cleaning and shaping it and thereafter filling and sealing it. The cause of pulp damage maybe tooth injury, a root cavity, recurring dental procedures, decay, or a broken tooth.

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Read more about the article Remedies for Teeth Sensitivity

Remedies for Teeth Sensitivity

Teeth sensitivity is a tingly feeling or a flash pinch of pain affecting either all teeth or one or more teeth. The pain associated with tooth sensitivity may occur constantly or intermittently. Intermittent tooth sensitivity can occur while ingesting hot or cold food or beverages, or when cold air hits the teeth.

Remedies

  • Desensitizing toothpaste – There are several brands of toothpaste for sensitive teeth available. Your dentist may recommend one or you may have to try different brands until you find the product that works for you. Be sure to use fluoridated toothpaste for sensitive teeth, not whitening toothpaste. Try spreading a thin layer of the desensitizing toothpaste on the exposed tooth roots before bed.
  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
  • Avoid highly acidic foods
  • Use a fluoridated mouthwash
  • Avoid teeth grinding

The Dental Visit

It is always best to see a dentist about sensitive teeth to determine the true nature of the sensitivity. During the consultation, your general dentist will ask you questions about the nature of sensitivity. Xrays and tests may be performed

Once it is determined that the cause does not require dental restorative treatment, your general dentist may apply an in-office desensitizer, which acts as protective coating designed to thwart any hypersensitivity.

The following are some dental procedures that may reduce tooth sensitivity:

  • Bonding, dental crowns or inlays – These may fix a tooth flaw or decay that is causing sensitivity.
  • Fluoride gel or varnish
  • Surgical gum graft – This will protect the root and reduce sensitivity if the gum tissue has eroded from the root.
  • Root canal Treatment – This is a last-resort treatment for severe tooth sensitivity that has not been helped by other methods.

So if you’ve been suffering with painful sensitivity that keeps you from eating the foods you love, make an appointment with your general dentist.

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Read more about the article Looking For Root Canal Treatment In Calgary?

Looking For Root Canal Treatment In Calgary?

To make an accurate diagnosis about your tooth’s need for endodontic therapy (root canal), your dentist will need to evaluate information collected from a number of different sources.
And while there are some obvious signs that nearly everyone is familiar with, there are also a number of less apparent ones that quite possibly only your dentist will notice.

1. Symptoms you have noticed – It’s usually the presence of discomfort and/or swelling that signals to a person that their tooth has a problem. Your dentist will quiz you about what you have experienced.

  • Pain

  • Sensitivity to hot/cold

  • Gum tenderness or swelling

  • Frequency of pain or swelling

2. Signs noticed by your dentist – Some teeth give little indication that there’s a problem within their nerve space. But to the trained eye, these subtle hints can be an obvious sign that a problem likely exists.

  • Identifying problem teeth with x-rays

  • Recurring or persistent gum pimples

  • Individually darkened teeth

  • Exposure of a tooth’s nerve

3. Additional testing – Once a dentist has identified a suspect tooth, they may then perform additional testing that can help to confirm their suspicions.

  • Percussion testing – tapping the end of one of their instruments on your tooth.

  • X-ray evaluation

  • Thermal testing

  • Electric pulp testing – A pulp tester transmits low-levels of electrical current to a tooth. The general idea is that a healthy nerve will respond with a tingling sensation. A dead nerve will have no response.

If you notice any of the signs and symptoms mentioned here, you should contact your dentist and make arrangements to be evaluated and receive treatment in a time frame they determine is necessary.

Don’t make assumptions and don’t delay

Some people won’t seek treatment promptly if, in their mind, they think it’s already too late, will cost too much money or else the idea of having the treatment is too unnerving for them.
Don’t make this mistake. If you have a tooth that’s displaying symptoms, have your dentist evaluate it sooner rather than later. Doing so may make a big difference in what you experience, what type of treatment you require and its total cost.

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