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Dental Implants: A Guide for Seniors

If you are a senior considering dental implants, you may have to worry about issues other dental patients don't have to think about. For example, you may need more time to recover after receiving your implants. My name is Jodi, and I've been working with seniors for years. I decided to create this blog to help the seniors I can't meet in person. In this space, I'm going to post entries on everything related to dental implants and seniors. From tips on flossing implants after arthritis has claimed some of your dexterity, to guiding you through the implants-vs-dentures debate, this blog is designed for you. Thanks for reading. I hope you find what you need!

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Dental Implants: A Guide for Seniors

Root Canal 101: Understanding the Ins and Outs of This Vital Treatment

by Jimmy Carter

Root canal therapy is one of the most misunderstood treatments your dentist has on offer, and hearing it's your time to have a root canal may leave you feeling frightened and confused. But root canal therapy, also known as endodontic therapy, is an essential dental therapy that can be carried out with a minimum of discomfort. If you've been dreading the day your root canal is due, read on to understand the ins and outs of this important treatment.

What is a root canal?

The root canals are the hollows inside each tooth that provide a home for the living tissue, nerves and blood vessels that keep your teeth healthy and strong. Occasionally, this dental pulp can become infected with bacteria, and root canal therapy is necessary to save the tooth.

What is root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is a highly skilled dental procedure dedicated to removing all of the infected dental pulp from your tooth. It is an important therapy because it allows you to keep a tooth that is significantly infected and stops the spread of infection to other parts of your mouth and body.

Without root canal therapy, the infection in your tooth will continue to spread, with serious effects on your health. When dental infections go untreated, it is common to develop a highly painful abscess, swelling around your throat, face and neck, or even loss of bone matter in your jaw.

What happens during root canal therapy?

When you have root canal therapy, your dentist will begin by cleaning away all of the damaged pulp and bacteria that is inside the root canal, filling it and sealing it, to prevent further infection. The procedure is conducted under anaesthetic, and you can expect to attend several appointments before your root canal therapy is complete.

Once your dentist has completed the removal of the infected pulp from your tooth, a dental crown will be placed on top of your tooth, allowing you to continue to use your tooth just as before.

It's natural to feel a little apprehensive at the idea of undergoing root canal therapy. But remember, root canal therapy is never undertaken lightly, and your dentist is a professional who is highly adept at delivering this vital form of treatment. After all, your dentist can do so much more for you than conduct your annual checkup. It really is great to have a dentist in your corner.

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