Root Canals

What is a Root Canal?

Root canals (also known as endodontic treatments) are dental procedures that are designed to remove bacteria from an infected root canal. There are two types of root canals: A root canal on the molar tooth and a root canal on the front tooth. A front tooth will typically just have one long canal, however, molar teeth have more than one root and several nerves that need to be treated. Cleaning these multi-rooted molar teeth can be more difficult and requires more time, skill, and equipment. At Collingwood Dentistry, we employ the latest in dental technology by using minimally invasive treatments and decontaminating the infected tooth. If you are experiencing tooth pain, sensitivity, or swelling, it is important to act quickly, not only to relieve your pain but also to save the tooth from a
possible extraction.

When is a Root Canal Needed?

You may need a root canal when the internal pulp is damaged or infected due to:

• Deep decay or cavities that have reached the pulp.
• A cracked, chipped or fractured tooth (even if damage isn’t visible) from trauma or injury.
• Repeated dental procedures or large/old restorations that compromise the pulp.

Common Signs & Symptoms

You should consider contacting us for an evaluation if you experience:

• Persistent or severe tooth pain — especially when biting or chewing.
• Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the source is removed.
• Discolouration or darkening of a tooth.Swelling or tenderness of gums, or a bump (abscess) near the gum line.
• A cracked, chipped, or previously traumatized tooth — even without immediate pain.

Left untreated, infection can spread — possibly leading to abscess formation, bone loss, or loss of the tooth altogether

Benefits of Choosing Root Canal Therapy

• Preserves your natural tooth — Avoids extraction and the need for implants, bridges, or dentures.
• Restores normal function — Enables you to chew, bite, and speak comfortably, without compromising neighboring teeth. 
• Relieves pain & infection — Removes the source of pain and infection while preventing spread to surrounding bone or tissue. 
• Maintains your appearance — With proper restoration (like a crown), the treated tooth looks and functions like a natural tooth.

  With good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, a root-canaled tooth can last many years — often a lifetime.
  

Is it worth going through so much trouble just to save a tooth, instead of extracting it?

Teeth, in general, have a specific function within the mouth, and therefore many teeth are specifically worth saving if root canal treatment is possible. An extraction (removal) of a tooth may be an inexpensive and quick option yet often is not in the best interest of the patients’ long-term dental health. Extractions can lead to other teeth moving into the now void space, food traps, and future expensive restorations such as bridges or implants.

Will a root canal-treated tooth be just as strong as my other teeth? Can it decay just as my other teeth can?

If a root canal has been well restored, either by a filling or a crown, then it should be as strong as your other teeth. Just like other teeth, a tooth that has had a root canal is subject to decay and the environment within your mouth. It is important to follow up on your regular dental checkups to see if the root canal and the seal placed over the root canal maintain a proper seal.

Please give us a call if you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment.