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.

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.

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