Root Canal Therapy in Whitby, ON

In the past, an infected or severely damaged tooth would have needed to be extracted. If the tooth remained, it would have caused more serious oral health issues with the rest of your teeth. Fortunately, modern dentistry has provided an alternative to extraction for a tooth that’s infected. At Dentistry on Dundas, our dentists may be able to save your infected tooth from extraction by using root canal therapy. 

Rest assured that we’ll take every precaution to make your experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Learn when root canals become necessary and what kind of results to expect from the procedure.

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is an oral surgery performed for the purpose of stopping tooth infection, preserving the tooth’s form and function, and preventing reinfection. Root canals become necessary when a bacterial infection reaches the core of a tooth. To understand this treatment, it’s helpful to know more about the makeup of your teeth.

Your teeth are each made up of layers:

1. The enamel is the hard, white layer that’s visible on the outside of a tooth.
2. The dentin is a hard layer of tissue beneath the enamel.
3. The dental pulp is a soft layer of tissue containing the nerves, connective tissues, and blood vessels of a tooth. This extends from the pulp chamber down through the root canals. 

For a tooth infection to occur, bacteria has to bypass the enamel and dentin to take hold in the dental pulp. This can happen through a crack or deep cavity in a tooth. By performing a root canal, our dentists can access and remove the infected pulp to save your tooth rather than resorting to extraction.

Signs You May Need Root Canal Therapy

If one or more of your teeth become infected, you’re likely to have noticeable symptoms. A root canal may be recommended if you’re experiencing any of the following:

• Toothache pain that extends to the face, neck, or ears
• Pain while biting and chewing
• Discomfort due to a chipped or cracked tooth
• Darkening of an affected tooth or the surrounding gum tissue
• Painful sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Swelling and tenderness in your face or gums
• Persistent or recurring pimple on the gums

Don’t try to ignore or wait out these symptoms. An infected tooth will not resolve on its own and may lead to other complications if left untreated. Schedule an appointment at Dentistry on Dundas by dialing (905) 666-1555 as soon as possible to get the care you need.

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy

While root canals have gained a less than positive reputation due to common dental myths, undergoing treatment when necessary is beneficial for many reasons. Root canals help you:

• Save your natural smile
• Save you time, money, and discomfort down the line
• Prevent other teeth from shifting out of place
• Alleviate any pain or discomfort
• Prevent reinfection
• Preserve and enhance your oral health

What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal treatment in Whitby may require a few visits to our office, as the procedure is done in stages. This allows for proper healing and to ensure that all of the infection is gone, avoiding future issues. After a tooth has been treated, it’s further protected with a customized dental crown. 

Your treatment can usually be completed in the following stages: 

Initial Consultation

Before one of our dentists approves you for root canal therapy, you’ll undergo an initial consultation to determine if the treatment is right for you. Your dentist will make a decision by conducting a thorough examination, reviewing your medical history, and asking you about what you’re hoping to gain from the procedure. 

If you experience dental anxiety, your dentist can also offer sedation dentistry options to help you stay calm during your procedure. If you and your dentist both decide to go forward with root canal treatment, we’ll schedule your next appointment.  

Preparation

To prepare you for root canal treatment, we’ll rinse your mouth out and use an anesthetic to completely numb the affected area for the duration of the procedure. At this point, we can also apply your sedative of choice. We’ll make sure your anesthetic is working before your dentist proceeds. 

Root Canal Therapy

With specialized tools, your dentist will create a small entryway in the crown of your infected tooth. They’ll gently remove the infected pulp and carefully clean the interior as well. Your dentist will then seal the root canal with a composite filling to preserve the structure of your tooth. Depending on your case, your dentist may recommend your tooth to be capped with a natural-looking dental crown to further reinforce it and help prevent reinfection.