Root Canal Treatment at Smile Centre
No one ever wants to hear the words “root canal” at the dentist. The term immediately brings a feeling of anxiety to mind, even if you are not entirely sure what is meant by “root canal treatment”. Most patients immediately respond with, “I don’t want that” without fully understanding why a root canal may be necessary, and what the other alternatives are when you have a tooth that requires root canal.
What is a Root Canal?
In a nutshell, root canal treatment is a dental procedure that allows you to keep your natural tooth when it is not restorable with a simple, superficial restoration. Your teeth are composed of three layers, the hardest of which is the enamel on the outer surface. The next layer beneath the enamel is called dentin, and is still quite hard, even though it is not as strong as enamel. Due to its softer nature, dentin is much more susceptible to decay and damage than enamel. Finally, on the inside of the tooth is something we often hear referred to as the pulp. The pulp consists of soft tissue, nerves and blood vessels that provide nourishment to keep the tooth alive. If the pulp becomes damaged, it can become inflamed and this often causes discomfort and a painful feeling of pressure within the affected tooth. When this happens, a root canal can be performed to remove the damaged pulp, eliminating the pain and discomfort, while allowing the tooth to remain in your mouth. Root canaled teeth, while no longer alive, can last for quite some time if cared for well. Often these teeth require additional treatment to help strengthen their structure, and your dentist may recommend a crown or a cap to protect them from further damage or fracture.
At Pickering Smile Centre, we offer gentle and effective root canal therapy to eliminate infection and relieve pain while allowing you to keep your natural tooth.
When Do You Need a Root Canal?
There are a couple of different reasons why you may require a root canal.
- Tooth Decay / Cavities Once cavities reach a certain size, they will extend through the enamel and into the dentin — If they are allowed to progress, the bacteria may penetrate into the pulp of the tooth, causing infection.
- Injury Trauma to a tooth can also damage the pulp/nerves and lead to infection.
- Cracks/ Fractures If the enamel/ dentin is compromised by a fracture, bacteria may be able to enter the pulp chamber and cause inflammation.
- Severe Sensitivity Sometimes, teeth can become sensitive to temperature or pressure. If this sensitivity persists, it may be an indication of damage to the nerve or pulp of the tooth, and a root canal may be required to eliminate the pain.
- Swelling / Abscess When an infection is present in a tooth, there is often an area of inflammation near the affected tooth that is full of pus or exudate.
It is never a good idea to ignore any of these signs and symptoms as they can all lead to more serious infections and can even spread to other areas of the jaw, face, and neck.
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
Many people fear root canals, but the truth is that the modern techniques and equipment we use now make a root canal no more uncomfortable than a simple filling. In fact, usually a tooth requiring root canal is causing pain, and the root canal procedure eliminates that pain. Most times, a simple local anaesthetic (dental freezing) is all that is required to ensure your comfort during a root canal procedure. However, at Smile Centre, we offer many sedation options if you feel you need some help to allow you to relax. Your comfort is our top priority.
What are Some Benefits of Root Canal Therapy?
- Prevents Tooth Loss Root canal therapy allows you to keep your natural tooth rather than extracting it.
- Treats Infection A root canal procedure removes all the infection from the affected tooth and stops it from spreading
- Stops Pain Once the infection and inflammation are gone, the tooth pain also disappears
- Eating & Chewing By not extracting the affected tooth, you can maintain your normal eating habits
- Stable and Long Lasting With proper care, a root canaled tooth can remain in your mouth for a long time.
What Happens if I Choose Not To Do The Root Canal My Dentist Recommends?
When your dentist recommends a root canal, it means that they have either confirmed or suspect an infection in the pulp of the tooth. This indicates that the tooth is either dead or dying. Once a tooth gets to this point, the damage too great to repair the tooth with a simple restoration. The infection must be treated and eliminated; if the infection is left untreated, it may spread to neighbouring teeth, as well as your surrounding bone and tissue. While antibiotics may provide temporary relief, the infection will often return shortly after the course of medication is completed. The only other long-term and permanent solution is to remove the infected tooth. The tooth will need to be extracted and replacement options discussed.
How Long Do Root Canal Treated Teeth Last?
If cared for, a root canaled tooth can last a lifetime. Due to the brittle nature of the tooth after the nerve and pulp has been removed, your dentist may suggest a crown to strengthen the tooth structure. Without a crown, there is a risk of tooth fracture. This risk increases based on the size of the restoration needed and the amount of natural tooth structure remaining.
Is There a Risk Associated With Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is a perfectly safe procedure. As with any medical procedure, there is always a risk of failure or infection. Sometimes it is not possible to see fractures or auxiliary canals in teeth that may cause the root canal to be ineffective. Overall, root canals are low risk, very safe, comfortable procedures.
Schedule Your Root Canal Consultation Today!
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Tooth pain or infection left untreated can result in much bigger dental issues — Let us give you back your Smile