Root Canals
Daily brushing and flossing sometimes can’t keep your natural teeth from getting dental issues. One problem could be an infected tooth, which is a painful and annoying experience for anyone. You may need root canal treatment if you’re experiencing unbearable tooth pain.
Dentistry in Waterloo offers professional root canal therapy to relieve pain, save your natural teeth from extraction and restore the health of your smile. Our dental office is equipped with the latest technology and our team is highly trained to provide you with a comfortable experience throughout your root canal treatment.
Root canals are a common dental procedure for treating infected or inflamed tooth pulp. The infection is usually caused by deep decay that has reached the tooth’s inner layers or as a result of an injury.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal treatment is an endodontic treatment that involves removing the infected or damaged pulp from the inner part of the tooth otherwise known as the root canal. This is typically necessary when there’s a deep cavity, a cracked tooth, or other severe injury. The goal of the procedure is to save a tooth that is severely infected or decayed.
Signs Indicating the Need for a Root Canal Surgery
- Severe and Persistent Tooth Pain. Intense and continuous toothache, especially when chewing or applying pressure, can indicate the need for a root canal.
- Sensitivity to Hot and Cold. Heightened sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, even after removing stimuli, may signal the need for root canal therapy.
- Discoloration of the Tooth. Darkening or discoloration of a tooth, typically turning it gray or black, can indicate that the nerve tissue inside the tooth is damaged or dead.
- Swelling and Tenderness in the Nearby Gums. Swelling and tenderness in the gums around the affected tooth may indicate an infection requiring root canal treatment.
- Prolonged Pimple on the Gums. The appearance of a pimple-like bump on the gums near the affected tooth, accompanied by pus drainage, is a sign of infection and the need for root canal therapy.
- Cracked or Damaged Tooth. A tooth with cracks or fractures can lead to inflammation and infection of the pulp, necessitating root canal treatment to save the tooth.
- History of Dental Procedures on the Tooth. A tooth that has undergone multiple dental procedures or trauma may be more susceptible to infection and require root canal therapy.
Benefits of Root Canals
Root canal treatment offers numerous benefits if you have any doubts. Some of the many benefits include:
Pain Relief
The procedure significantly alleviates the intense pain caused by tooth decay and infection, providing instant comfort to patients who have endured discomfort and sensitivity for a long time. This relief also allows individuals to regain their ability to chew, speak and carry out daily activities without the hindrance of dental pain.
Prevention of Tooth Loss
By effectively treating and preserving an infected tooth through root canal therapy, this procedure prevents tooth loss and even aids in maintaining the integrity of your natural smile. Additionally, addressing the issue early on can help root canals avoid complicated and extensive dental treatments in the future.
Improved Oral Health
Root canal treatment protects neighbouring teeth against decay and gum disease. Eradicating harmful bacteria enhances your oral health and also contributes to the long-term preservation of dental structures. Basically, you’ll have completely healthy teeth for many years to come.
What to Expect From a Root Canal Procedure
In Waterloo, dental professionals use state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge strategies to perform root canal procedures with precision and care. The process typically involves:
1. Examination and X-Ray
The first step is identifying the extent of infection, which will inform the subsequent steps in the diagnostic and treatment processes.
2. Anesthesia
Your root canal dentist will utilize appropriate pain management techniques to ensure you undergo a pain-free procedure and enhance comfort, generally by using local anesthesia.
3. Pulpectomy
This third step involves the root canal specialist carefully removing the affected tooth root, the soft nerve tissue inside the tooth containing nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. This step is crucial for treating the underlying problem and relieving discomfort.
4. Cleaning, Shaping and Filling
Cleaning the canal involves removing debris or infected tissue and shaping it to prepare for temporary filling. Next, the root canal endodontist gently places a biocompatible material into the canal to restore its structure.
5. Restoration
The last step of the procedure involves carefully preparing the damaged area before placing a crown or permanent filling. This restoration provides protection and aims to restore the damaged tooth to its full function and aesthetics.
How to Care for the Treated Tooth With Root Canal
After a root canal procedure, it’s crucial to provide proper care for the treated tooth to support healing and long-term oral health. Here are some tips on how to care for a tooth after root canal treatment:
- Gentle Oral Hygiene. Brush and floss the treated tooth gently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be cautious when flossing around the area to avoid disrupting the healing process.
- Regular Oral Care Routine. Continue brushing your teeth at least twice a day and floss once daily. Maintaining a consistent oral care routine is essential for oral health, especially after dental procedures.
- Antiseptic Mouthwash. Consider using antiseptic or non-alcoholic mouthwash regularly to help maintain oral hygiene and keep the treated area clean.
- Soft Diet. In the days following the procedure, consume mainly soft foods to minimize discomfort and avoid putting undue pressure on the treated tooth.
- Avoid Aggressive Brushing. Refrain from aggressive brushing on the treated tooth to prevent dislodging any temporary fillings or compromising the healing process.
- Regular Dental Check-Ups. Schedule regular follow-up appointments with your dentist to monitor the healing progress and ensure the treated tooth is in good condition.
FAQ
Is Root Canal Painful?
One of the biggest misconceptions about root canal treatment is that it’s a painful procedure. However, with advanced techniques and effective anesthesia, most patients report feeling little to no pain during the procedure. The discomfort experienced before the treatment is usually more intense than you’ll feel during the procedure.
Does Root Canal Therapy Last for Life?
In general, root canals can last 10 to 15 years. The restored tooth can last for many years, even a lifetime, with proper care and maintenance.
Does My Insurance Cover My Root Canal Treatment?
Yes, most insurance providers cover root canal therapy. However, individual costs can vary based on factors such as the number of canals involved and additional expenses for crowns, fillings, x-rays and consultations.
How Long Does the Recovery Period After a Root Canal Last?
The recovery period after a root canal is usually short and comfortable. You may experience mild discomfort for a day or two, but this can easily be managed with over-the-counter pain medications. However, you should be able to resume normal activities almost immediately after the procedure.
Dental Filling vs. Root Canal
When determining whether a root canal or a dental filling is needed, the decision largely depends on the severity of the tooth decay or damage.
- Root Canal. As mentioned, root canals are generally more complex procedures designed to treat severe decay and damage reaching the tooth’s pulp, leading to infection and inflammation. This treatment involves removing the infected or inflamed pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth and sealing it to prevent further infection.
- Dental Filling. On the other hand, fillings are suitable for addressing minor to moderate tooth decay or damage caused by cavities. The procedure involves removing the decayed portion of the tooth and filling the space with a suitable material such as composite resin, amalgam or porcelain.
- Cost. Root canals are generally more expensive than fillings due to the complexity of the procedure and the need for specialized expertise and materials.
Dental Filling vs. Root Canal
When determining whether a root canal or a dental filling is needed, the decision largely depends on the severity of the tooth decay or damage.
- Root Canal. As mentioned, root canals are generally more complex procedures designed to treat severe decay and damage reaching the tooth’s pulp, leading to infection and inflammation. This treatment involves removing the infected or inflamed pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth and sealing it to prevent further infection.
- Dental Filling. On the other hand, fillings are suitable for addressing minor to moderate tooth decay or damage caused by cavities. The procedure involves removing the decayed portion of the tooth and filling the space with a suitable material such as composite resin, amalgam or porcelain.
- Cost. Root canals are generally more expensive than fillings due to the complexity of the procedure and the need for specialized expertise and materials.
Address Discomforts Due to Tooth Issues With Gentle Root Canal Treatments at Dentistry in Waterloo
A root canal treatment can help save your tooth and restore its function, comfort and aesthetics. At Dentistry in Waterloo, we use the latest technology and advanced techniques to perform root canal procedures with precision and care effectively. Our team of experienced dentists strives to make every patient’s experience as comfortable as possible while addressing their unique dental needs.
Call us now to schedule an appointment with our dentist that does root canals, and we’ll make sure you get the dental care you need!
Office
Since providing compassionate care is our main objective, we strive to ensure that our patients feel at ease. The environment of our dental clinic is relaxing. The first impression many patients get when they walk in is that they have walked into a spa.
A comfortable surrounding paired with a team that is kind and personable; each one of our team members show that not only do we care for you, but we also care about you. This is shown by going the extra mile to make sure that we meet your needs and expectations at all of your appointments. Our team will do everything they can to accommodate you and guide you towards a healthy and happy smile.
Appointments
We know you have many choices when choosing a Dentist in Waterloo, Ontario so we have made requesting an appointment a simple process via our Web site. If, for any reason you cannot keep a scheduled appointment, or will be delayed, please call us as soon as possible.
Insurance and Billing
At our fee-for-service office, we go above and beyond to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for our patients. Payment is required at the end of your appointment, but we take care of the rest. Once your visit is complete, we handle the entire insurance claim process for you, submitting it electronically to save you time and effort. If you have direct deposit set up with your insurance provider, your reimbursement will be deposited into your bank account within a couple of days. Otherwise, your insurance carrier will mail the cheque to your registered address.
We strongly encourage setting up direct deposit if you have not already done so, as it will expedite the reimbursement process. Please feel free to inquire about how to proceed with this option. We are here to help!
Cancellation
If you are unable to keep an appointment, we ask that you kindly provide us with at least 48 clinic business hours’ notice. A fee may be charged if a patient does not show up for an appointment without sufficient notice.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for choosing our practice for your dental care.