Saving Your Natural Tooth
In a root canal procedure, the pulp of the tooth (the living tissue inside) is removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated dental materials that restore the tooth to full function. Using root canal therapy not only preserves your natural tooth, extending its lifetime, it also protects and
preserves the jaw bone and other supporting tissues around the tooth. Wherever possible, saving your natural tooth will also save you from more pain and expense down the road.
There are a number of signs that suggest root canal therapy may be
necessary:
- Lingering sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache pain.
- Red or swollen gums near the tooth.
- Discolouration of the tooth.
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
The Root Canal Treatment Plan
A root canal treatment usually requires one or two office visits and is performed by either a dentist or an endodontist. Here is how we perform your root canal:
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
The first step requires an x-ray of the tooth and the surrounding bone to find out what’s causing your symptoms. Your specialist may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatories to help control infection and inflammation. The pressure from the infected or inflamed pulp is usually what causes the tooth pain, so reducing this pressure can minimize discomfort during the procedure.
Prepping the Tooth
When we’re ready to perform the root canal, we will gently numb the area before freezing your teeth and the surrounding tissues. Your comfort and peace-of-mind are important to us. Once you’re comfortable, an access hole is drilled into the tooth. The pulp, bacteria, decayed nerve tissue, and related debris are removed.
Sealing the Tooth
Depending on the severity of the abscess, we may put some medicine inside the tooth to completely clear up any infection. If the procedure requires multiple visits, a temporary filling will be placed. At this point, you will already feel some relief. Only when your tooth is thoroughly cleaned and healthy can it be permanently sealed.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Damage can occur due to deep decay, trauma, a dead nerve or a crack in the tooth.
Thanks to modern techniques and technology and a compassionate dental philosophy our highly trained team of specialists can provide root canal treatments with minimal to no pain at all.
While antibiotics may provide temporary relief in some cases, the source of the infection – the infected nerve – must be cleaned out to prevent the infection from coming back. Removing the pulp by root canal or extraction of the tooth is the only long-term option.
A root canal treatment usually requires one or two office visits. Simple or minor root canal cases usually take about 30 to 60 minutes of treatment, while a more complex case takes longer – around 90 minutes.
You typically need a dental crown after a root canal on your molars and premolars to minimize the risk of the tooth fracturing. Front
teeth – canines and incisors – may not require a dental crown. Your dentist will make recommendations based on the condition of your tooth and their clinical judgment.
What Our Patients are Saying
Hannah Weinstangel
We are so happy with the care given by Dr. Chin to our whole family. She is kind, knowledgeable, and skilled. Our preschooler actually looks forward to going to the dentist - which says a lot about Dr. Chin’s approach! We recommend her to all our friends. The staff at Bloor West Dental Group are also consistently kind and helpful, and we have always had good experiences with the hygienists who do our teeth cleaning.
T. Lastname
I’m new to the neighbourhood & to this practice. The team is professional, knowledgeable and good at making patients feel at ease/cared for. Communication is transparent and pitched at a level I can understand. I highly recommend this practice to others based on my visits so far. Special shout out to Eunice who looked after me today. Thank you! My mouth feels sparkly and clean.
Yenny Dykeman
I love coming to Bloor West Dental. Dr. Chin is very exceptional and always go and beyond. She is very kind and caring as well. Leona and the other front desk staff and the hygienists are also amazing. They are always very friendly and welcoming. They work together like one big family. Thank you Bloor West Dental Group!
