02. April 2019

The Three Factors That Lead To Root Canal Complications

Anyone who needs to undergo a root canal therapy needs to understand that root canal complications could also happen. He needs to have a clear picture of what to expect during and after the treatment to overcome these drawbacks.

What is a root canal treatment?

An endodontist is a specialist who performs a root canal treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth. This involves removing the damaged area of the tooth and pulp, cleaning and disinfecting, then filling and sealing it.

What to expect during root canal procedure?

 

1.     Your dentist will perform an X-ray for the tooth that needs treatment to determine the extent of damage and infection.

2.     Local anesthesia will be administered while you are undergoing the treatment. This will ease any discomfort during the therapy and will make it pain-free.

3.     A pulpectomy will be done by your endodontist to create an opening to the roots and remove the pulp.

4.     Root canals will be disinfected to remove bacteria that’s causing the toothache.

5.     Finally, the roots will be filled with gutta-percha material and sealed off with cement.

 

Your dentist will also educate you of the root canal infection symptoms. That’s why you need to rigidly follow the aftercare tips to prevent any infection and complication. You are expected to fully recover and get back to your daily routine 72 hours after the procedure.

Is severe pain one of the root canal complications?

 

Although most patients expect to feel some discomfort while recovering. The level of pain felt after the treatment should only ranges from a minimal ache to moderate pain. Medications will be prescribed to ease your discomfort. However, a severe pain is an indication that you’re experiencing root canal complications. Some bacteria may still be present in the canals that’s causing you severe pain. If you experience an unusual pain, contact your endodontist immediately for a follow-up treatment.

Three factors that lead to root canal complications

Some root canals are left untreated.

In rare cases, you might have more than one root that’s causing the pain in your tooth. In cases that one of the canals has remaining bacteria, it can lead to another root canal surgery. If this happens, the removal of the filling and the crown can be complicated. Hence, your endodontist ensures that all canals are disinfected well prior to sealing them to ultimately avoid complications and infections.

Certain root cracks are undetected.

As you may know, your teeth are susceptible to cracking and chipping; more so if you have undergone a root canal treatment. If the root of the treated tooth develops some unseen cracks, this can lead to a root canal infection. These cracks are the gateway for bacteria to grow inside the canals. Swelling and pain of the gums are the common root canal infection symptoms. If you experience any of these, visit your dentist as soon as possible to prevent it from worsening.

Dental fillings have eroded.

The dental filling used to cover the treated tooth erodes over time. This allows bacteria to populate again in your tooth roots. Some seal and filling elements easily wear out when you often clench or grind your teeth. Bacteria can penetrate the roots of your tooth again and cause root canal complications once the seal has eroded. A regular dental check-up helps your dentist determine if the fillings are still covering the treated tooth well enough. A dental crown may be recommended to fully cover the restored tooth.


A root canal therapy in London Ontario is what you need to save your diseased tooth. The dental staff at Creative Dentistry ensures that their patients do not show any root canal infection symptoms after the procedure.  

 

 

You’ve always wanted to undergo a teeth whitening procedure, however, your dentist tells you to have teeth bleaching instead. You’re becoming confused why you’re hearing two terms when they seem to have the same effect on your teeth. The truth is, there’s a distinctive gap between whitening and bleaching your teeth. They are both cosmetic dental treatments, however, one is  non-invasive and an affordable way to enhance your teeth’s color. There’s also laser teeth whitening that improves the shade of your teeth up to six times in less than an hour. Understanding both procedures will enlighten you in choosing the right treatment for your dental case.

Understanding teeth whitening and bleaching

The word "bleaching" refers to brightening your teeth that’s beyond their natural colour and shade. This refers to products that contain bleaching solution such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. However, these need laser light in order to activate the bleaching process on the teeth. At Creative Dentistry, you can set a same day appointment for in-office teeth bleaching, or opt for take home-bleaching kits.

 

Meanwhile, teeth whitening means removing dirt, stains and debris to restore the colour of the teeth's surface. This means that any product that you use to clean your teeth, like toothpaste, is considered a whitener. Surprisingly, there are ingredients found in your kitchen that you can use to naturally whiten your teeth. Examples of these are baking soda, apple cider vinegar, strawberries, apples, celery, and pineapples.  

 

Suffice to say, in-office, at-home whitening kits and natural ingredients are effective ways to brighten your smile. The duration for you to achieve the desired result is one big factor in choosing or following the right treatment. More importantly, you have to determine what causes teeth stains so you’re confident that you’re doing the right approach to resolve it.

What causes teeth stains?

Age

There is a direct correlation of your tooth colour to your age. Over the years, your teeth will darken as a result of wear and tear, as well as stain accumulation. When a patient decides to have laser teeth whitening during his adolescent stage, the result will be drastic. This is because their permanent teeth have just erupted and there’s no accumulation of stains yet.

Initial tooth colour

Genetically, the shade of your teeth ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey. However, this initial shade intensifies over the years. Yellow-brown are generally more responsive to whitening than a tooth with a green-grey shade.

Thickness and translucency

Your teeth's translucency and thickness becomes more pronounced as you age. While all teeth show some translucency, those that are opaque and thick benefit more with teeth whitening. This is because they appear lighter in colour, show more sparkle and are very responsive to the treatment.

 

If your teeth are thin and more transparent, this may indicate that it has less of the pigment necessary for bleaching. The transparency of the tooth is more prominent with most patient's front teeth. According to most cosmetic dentists, the transparency of the tooth is the only condition that cannot be corrected with any form of whitening procedure.

Smoking

The habit of smoking is dangerous to your overall health. Aside from its negative effects to your health, cigarettes also contain nicotine which leaves brownish deposits on your teeth. This leads to a deep teeth discolouration.


Knowing these common causes of tooth discolouration will encourage you to avoid habits that may lead to teeth stains. While laser teeth whitening is an optimal solution to brighten your smile instantly, prevention is always a better option. In some cases, severe tooth discolouration may not be reversible. However, there’s no need to despair as other dental treatments such as veneers and dental crowns are available to restore your smile. Visit Creative Dentistry to know more about teeth whitening in London, Ontario.