Picture this: you’re lying in the dentist chair after an exam and some x-rays when your dentist says that they think you are going to need a root canal on that molar that’s been hurting for a little while.

 

Cost aside, the next thing you are going to want to know, clearly and succinctly, is what a root canal is and how it’s done, right?

 

We’ve pulled together some terms that your dentist might mention to you; terms that go above and beyond a basic cleaning and fillings terminology that most of us have heard at one time or another.

 

Root Canal: Unfortunately not all teeth are perfectly healthy. A dentist can save a damaged tooth by performing a root canal, which removes decayed pulp from interior space of the root. The space is then filled with an inert material (what’s the pulp? It is the nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue inside a tooth.) A root canal is sometimes but not always followed by the adding of a crown.

 

Crown: Tooth crowns are placed over existing teeth, and are typically a way to cover teeth that have metal fillings or misshapen teeth.  They are most commonly given to patients who have crooked, broken, cracked, or chipped teeth. Because they go on over what is already there, there is no need for the tooth to be pulled. Typically, temporary ones are put in place while more permanent crowns are being crafted, usually in less than a week. Additionally, if there is an insufficient amount of healthy tooth left to adhere the crown to, a post can be used. A post is a thin metal rod inserted into the root of a tooth after root canal therapy. A post provides retention for a “coping” which replaces lost tooth structure and retains crowns.

 

Bridge: Bridges resemble natural teeth, and are designed to take the place of areas where there are gaps between teeth. bridge is a stationary dental prosthesis (appliance) fixed to teeth adjacent to a space. It replaces one or more missing teeth, cemented or bonded, to supporting teeth or implants adjacent to the space.

 

Denture: Dentures are a removable (partial or complete) set of artificial teeth. Whether you have lost teeth due to decay or an accident, properly fitting dentures can help you return your mouth to a happy state and allow you to keep a beautiful smile. A partial denture replaces one or more natural teeth (vs. a complete denture set).

 

Dental Implant: A dental implant is a metal cylinder surgically placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaw to provide support for a dental restoration or appliance. Whereas dentures are removable, dental implants are permanent.

A lot of people feel anxious when they think about booking an appointment or going to their dentist, and with all of the sharp tools, scary sounding words, and the horror stories you hear about people going to the dentist, we get it. But things are different at Orion Dental – we strive to provide our patients as close to pain-free as humanly possible. We also try to make a visit to our dental offices as easy as possible, taking the time to explain things to our patients in easy-to-understand terms so they know exactly what we are doing. If you want a dentist that takes the fear and anxiety out of going to the dentist, Orion Dental is for you. Call our Milton dental office at (905) 636-9770 or our Scarborough dentist office at (416) 291-0306 and let us help you and your family take care of your beautiful smile and healthy teeth!