Endodontics is a branch of dentistry recognized by the Canadian Dental Association involving treatment of the pulp space (root canal) and surrounding tissues of the tooth. When you look at your tooth in the mirror, what you see is the crown. The rest of the tooth--the portion hidden beneath the gum line--is called the root. Though the outer portion of the root is a hard tissue called dentin, the inside channel or "root canal" contains a pulp of soft tissue, comprising blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria that are introduced into the pulp as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fracture or other problems, can severely damage the pulp. When that happens, an endodontic specialist removes the diseased pulp (or disinfects the canal space if already infected) to save the tooth and prevent further infection and inflammation. After successful endodontic treatment, the tooth continues to perform normally.

Modern dental X-rays use very low levels of radiation, and regulatory guidelines (Health Canada Safety Code 30) have determined that lead aprons are not required for routine dental X-ray procedures because they do not significantly reduce radiation exposure when other safety practices are followed. Safety Code 30 does recommend offering a thyroid shield when it won’t interfere with the images, and aprons may still be used if it helps patients feel more comfortable.

To ensure your absolute safety, our practice strictly adheres to the rigorous infection prevention and control standards mandated by Alberta OHS and the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta. We utilize advanced autoclave sterilization and strict barrier techniques to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination. We prepare our space and equipment with the exact same care and precision we would expect if we were the ones receiving treatment.

It is very common to experience anxiety about dental care. In fact, most people feel at least a little nervous about upcoming procedures. While root canal therapy has historically earned an intimidating reputation, the good news is that modern endodontic treatments are highly comfortable and effective. Most of our patients arrive with some trepidation but leave surprised by how easy and painless the experience actually was!

Patients frequently ask about sedation options. While we do not offer IV sedation to put you completely to sleep, we do provide oral anxiety-reducing medication and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). We will happily discuss these options and answer any of your questions during your initial consultation.

When your root canal therapy has been completed, a record of your treatment will be sent to your referring dentist the same day. You should contact your referring dentists office for a follow-up restoration as soon as possible, but at least within a month of completion at our office. Your restorative dentist will decide on what type of restoration is necessary to protect your tooth. It is rare for endodontic patients to experience complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. If a problem does occur, please call our office or Dr. Godfrey's cell phone number which will be provided at the time of treatment.

We take every measure to ensure your procedure is completely comfortable and pain-free. Prior to initiating treatment, we will administer a local anesthetic to gently freeze the targeted area of your mouth. For most patients, this numbness naturally subsides within two to three hours.

To ensure your safety and comfort, we use a protective isolation barrier, known as a dental dam, during every non-surgical root canal treatment. This barrier prevents instruments, rinsing solutions, and excess water from entering the back of your throat. Most of our patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable and straightforward the experience is.

It is also natural to wonder about post-treatment discomfort. While you may experience mild tenderness in the area from the injection site and the procedure itself, significant pain is very rare. We will provide detailed post-treatment instructions to guide you on using over-the-counter medications effectively to manage your recovery.

It depends on the particular case. For straight-forward cases, we may not feel the need to have you return. However, we are always happy to see you again if you'd like us to check the tooth for any reason. For more complex cases, we may recommend that patients return to the office either 6 months or 1 year after the procedure was finished, to check the progress of healing. Our office will send a reminder notice to you when you are due for these recall appointments.