A root canal is a dental procedure that helps save a tooth that has an infected nerve. A successful root canal treatment can allow you to retain your natural tooth, while treating the infection before it causes health complications. The root canal procedure involves the drilling of a small hole in your tooth and the removal of the infected inner nerves and blood vessels followed by filling them with a biocompatible root filling material.
With proper care, a tooth that undergoes a root canal procedure can last as long as any other natural tooth. However, in some cases these teeth may fail to heal properly or tooth pain may continue after the procedure. Sometimes an infection may reoccur months or years after a root canal treatment. If so, endodontic retreatment may be necessary. This is the retreatment, re-cleaning and re-filling of the infected tooth.
An infected (abscessed) tooth causes discomfort in the form of swelling and toothaches. One way to treat the infection is to remove the tooth and disinfect the area. However, tooth loss creates a gap between the surrounding teeth and often necessitates a dental implant or bridge. If possible, it is preferable to save the natural tooth through a root canal treatment. The dentist will assess your tooth and overall health and suggest the best treatment to treat the infection. Properly performed, a root canal is no more uncomfortable than having a regular cavity filling, though the procedure is more invasive.
At D.R. Dental, we perform root canal procedures regularly and are well-equipped to deal with both emergency root canals and retreatment surgeries. The dentist will begin by applying local anaesthesia and isolating the area with a rubber dam. They will then drill an opening in the tooth to access the infected pulp and remove it and clean the area with specialized tools. The dentist fills the root space with a filling material. Finally, the dentist must seal the surface of the tooth with a crown to prevent further infection and restore the function and appearance of the tooth. The root canal treatment is typically performed in one visit. However, a second visit may sometimes be required to complete the crown restoration.
Infections inside your tooth can be very painful and may cause a lot of distress and inconvenience in your daily life. A root canal helps you restore your oral health, while preventing health complications that could arise when the bacteria from the infection enters your blood stream and other organs. However, root canals may need special dental care moving forward. Endodontic retreatment maybe necessary in cases where new issues arise. For example, decay at a later time can expose the root canal filling and cause infection. Alternatively, a cracked or loose crown may expose the tooth to a new infection. In such situations, endodontic retreatment may be necessary. During this procedure, the dentist will clean your canals and carefully examine the inside of the problematic tooth. Once cleaned, the dentist will fill and seal the canals and place a filling or build up restoration in the tooth.
We accept walk-in appointments for emergency procedures, including root canals. Call us today or visit our Etobicoke practice to receive same day service. Don’t endure the tooth pain, there are options available for you.