Root Canal

Root Canal

When the roots of a tooth become infected or inflamed as a result of trauma, cracks, chips or decay, root canal treatment allows our patients to save their natural teeth and prevent the need for extraction.

Root canal pain or symptoms may include tooth pain, sensitivity to hot/cold, a sharp pain when applying pressure or biting down, dull ache in the jaw, or a persistent pimple on the gums.

Contrary to popular myth, root canal treatment is not painful. In fact, the root canal procedure feels just like having a simple routine filling. Patients in need of root canal treatment come to Norton Dental Vaughan in pain and are pleasantly surprised to find that not only is the procedure painless, it alleviates the painful symptoms caused by the inflamed tissue within the tooth.

Our dental professionals understand the discomfort caused by root canal pain and regularly welcome walk-in root canal patients as well as emergency root canal patients to alleviate pain fast.

The root canal procedure begins by first numbing the area to be treated with local anesthesia. Then your dentist will isolate and prep the tooth with a rubber dam to protect it from bacteria in your saliva during treatment.

Your dentist will then create a tiny opening in the tooth so that the root canals may be disinfected and any damaged tissue can be removed. Once the canals are cleaned, the tooth is filled and sealed. To complete the procedure, a dental crown is placed over the tooth to strengthen and protect it against future cracks or fractures.

The entire root canal procedure may be completed in just one or two dental appointments. The recovery from root canal treatment is minimal. Patients may immediately return to their daily activities directly following the procedure.

Root canal pain after treatment may consist of some slight soreness in the gums where the rubber dam was placed or when biting down directly on the tooth. This discomfort is minor and will subside within a day or two. Your dentist may advise you chew on the opposite side to allow the tooth to rest.

Root canal complications are rare. The dental crown placed over the tooth after your treatment will protect it from any potential cracks or fractures and will provide added strength to the tooth. As with all dental restorations, restorative treatment does not prevent the formation of future cavities or infection. Proper and consistent oral hygiene is critical to preserving the health of your teeth and smile. With regular brushing and flossing, a tooth that has undergone a root canal procedure may last as long as untreated natural teeth.

Norton Dental Vaughan is a strong advocate for the preservation of natural teeth. All procedures performed by our team of specialists are geared towards conserving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. When faced with root canal or extraction, our dental professionals always chose the course of treatment most likely to ensure the preservation of natural teeth.

Just by saving your natural teeth, you preserve your natural smile, are able to continue eating the foods you love, protect your other teeth from excessive wear or strain, and prevent the need for ongoing dental work down the road.

Depending on the tooth being treated, root canal cost will be determined accordingly. Some teeth have more root canals than others. For example, a molar generally contains 3 to 4 canals whereas an incisor typically has only one canal.

At Norton Dental Vaughan, our patients’ health and comfort is our top priority. You will be pleased to find that your root canal treatment with us will be a comfortable and pain-free experience.