Not too long ago we introduced the newest member of the team here at Brinkley Dental, Endodontist Dr. John Rapp. We gave a little bit of a highlight as to what he does each day but it appears some of you want to know more! So today, we plan to chat a little bit more about root canals, crowns and caps. What is a root canal? Are crowns and caps the same thing? Do you need one – the crown, after having the other – a root canal? For enquiring minds that want to know, we have the answers!
We love Dr. John Rapp and don’t want to use his name in vain but root canals have a bit of a bad rap. The mere mention of the word sends shivers down the spine of most patients and yet, as we said once in an earlier blog “a root canal isn’t about causing pain – it’s about relieving it!” A root canal truly gets to the “root” of the problem by removing infected pulp from inside a tooth, repairing it so that the tooth can be saved rather than removed. Removing teeth can lead to a whole host of additional problems, so wherever possible, your Dental team is going to want to help you preserve and protect your teeth. A root canal usually takes place with some type of anaesthetic, freezing and/or nitrous oxide to help ease patient nerves. You might even be administered a short lasting pill that will help to keep you calm. The Dentist or Endodontist will then clean out the infected tooth, removing pulp, irrigating, and then filling the area inside the tooth with a material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then sealed. Occasionally, the tooth might also require a “post,” a small support that will help a dental restoration or crown to be more stable.
Speaking of crowns – what is a crown other than the kind we see on top of the heads of royalty or on little ones during their Halloween romp? A dental crown is actually a tooth shaped “cap” that is placed over the tooth that just had a root canal. It is cemented into place and becomes the visible portion of the tooth above the gum line that people see when you smile! So the answer to our question about crowns and caps is “Yes, they are one and the same with the names often being used interchangeably.” The process of having a root canal and then a crown placed over the tooth is usually done in two separate visits to the Dentist. It’s also worth noting that very occasionally, a tooth can be saved through root canal and will not require a crown. These are all topics that will be discussed with a patient in advance of booking this type of procedure.
So there you have it. Whether you’re a ball cap kind of gal or prefer a sparkly crown, we’ve got you covered. Brinkley Dental is your one stop Brampton dental office for root canal treatment and crown installation. Of course, we are always available for oral hygiene visits, cleanings, fillings and indeed, any and all of your family’s dental needs. We’d love to chat with you so give us a call. In the meantime, as always, ”don’t forget to be a BFF with your mouth and Brush that SMILE!”
