Root canal treatment or endodontic is necessary if the dental pulp of a tooth becomes infected. The dental pulp is right in the centre of your tooth and contains the tooth nerve and other tissues, extending into the root canals in the tooth roots. The pulp can become infected or inflamed if your tooth is decayed or injured in some way.

Initially, you may not feel any pain if the infection or damage hasn’t yet reached the pulp. When it progresses, an infected tooth can become very painful. Other signs that something is wrong with the tooth are a pain when you bite or chew or noticing your tooth feels more sensitive to hot and cold or sweet and sour foods. Sometimes the affected tooth can darken in colour, meaning the tooth nerve is dying or has already died.

Why Is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?

Even if the tooth nerve dies, you will still need root canal therapy to clear the infection. This is because the bacteria that cause the infection in the pulp can spread into your root canals and may eventually cause an abscess. A dental abscess causes pus to develop in the tooth root, and often the gum will begin to look very swollen or inflamed. Without treatment, the infection can continue to spread beyond the tooth, and a dentist in Whitby may be unable to save it.

Will Root Canal Therapy Always Save An Infected Tooth?

Sometimes when a tooth is severely infected and where an abscess has developed, it may be impossible to save the tooth. Your dentist may have no other choice but to remove the tooth to allow the infection to drain. If you notice a tooth feels painful or that the gum around it has become swollen and red, it’s always best to contact Margolian Dentistry. The sooner we can treat an infected tooth, the better the chance of saving it.

Will Root Canal Therapy Hurt?

Root canal therapy in Oshawa shouldn’t feel any more painful than an ordinary filling. We will numb the affected tooth using a local anesthetic to ensure the entire procedure is painless. Afterwards, the treated tooth may feel slightly tender, but the severe toothache should have disappeared, and your tooth will gradually feel more comfortable over the next few days.

What Does Root Canal Therapy Involve?

The treatment removes all the infected tissues from the tooth, including the infection extending into the root canals. During treatment, our Ajax dentist will make a small opening in the tooth to see the dental pulp. They use specially shaped dental files to thoroughly clean out the pulp and the root canals, shaping the root canals in preparation for a filling. Once all the infected material has been removed, the tooth is disinfected. A filling material called gutta-percha is placed into the tooth. Sometimes a tooth is strengthened with a small metal post.

The final part of the treatment is to make a dental crown that will cover the tooth entirely. It is necessary to crown a root treated tooth because it has usually lost a substantial part of its original structure. Also, a tooth becomes more brittle after treatment because it is nonvital once the tooth nerve is removed. An ordinary filling wouldn’t be strong enough. With a dental crown, you will be able to bite and chew with complete confidence and comfort.

Endodontic treatment is a routine procedure, and there is nothing to fear. It is an excellent treatment, and whenever possible, it’s always preferable to save and preserve your natural teeth.