Root Canals in Scarborough
A root canal treatment is a procedure used to repair and save a tooth that is either badly decayed or has become infected. During the procedure, the nerve and tooth pulp are taken out and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without this treatment, the gum tissues around the tooth could become infected and cause abscesses to form. At our dental clinic, we offer root canal therapy for Scarborough patients.
Signs You Might Need a Root Canal
Patients typically experience several signs that they might need a root canal procedure, and these are easy to recognize. Even if you don’t know what the cause is, any of the following symptoms should be enough indication that you need to schedule a visit to our dentist in Scarborough:
- Severe tooth pain when chewing or biting into hard food
- Ongoing sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, which means you continue feeling the pain even after the heat or cold has been removed
- Darkening or other discoloration of the tooth
- Swelling and tenderness in the surrounding gums
- A persistent or recurring lesion on your gums
Sometimes no symptoms show up, which is one reason why it’s so important to have routine dental exams every year.
What Does a Root Canal Involve?
A root canal procedure is usually a process involving four steps, which are performed over two visits to our Scarborough dentist’s office. First, the dentist freezes the gum around the tooth with local anesthesia. You might feel a small pinch when the needle goes in, but in seconds the whole area will be numb. Next, we’ll use a drill to create an opening in the top of your tooth and remove the damaged pulp from inside with special tools. The inner area of the tooth is then washed out to remove bacteria and any remaining tissue, which prevents you from getting any more infection.
Restoring a Tooth After a Root Canal Treatment
After your root canal treatment, your tooth is restored to look and behave as much like a natural tooth as possible. Our dentists in Scarborough will examine how much of your tooth is left and determine whether it’s strong enough to support a crown. After the tooth chamber is clean and dry, we’ll fill it with tooth material and cover it with a temporary crown, while your permanent crown is on order. If not, we’ll suggest inserting a post to hold the crown. When the new crown arrives, you’ll need one more visit to have it fitted, and your therapy will be complete.
Who Performs Your Root Canal?
For most patients, a root canal can take place right here in our Scarborough dental office. If your case is complex, we may consult with an endodontist for the initial procedure, but your dentist always performs the tooth restoration afterwards. An endodontist is a qualified dentist who has also trained to specialize in treating conditions that involve the dental pulp or tooth nerve.
Does Root Canal Procedure Hurt?
There’s a misconception that root canal in Scarborough is painful during and after the surgery. This exaggerated claim has no basis in modern dentistry.
Without anesthetic, root canal therapy would be incredibly painful. That’s why all dental professionals use a localized anesthetic to numb the area of treatment. You may feel some slight discomfort during the procedure, but it will be nothing compared to the exaggerated stories that are out there.
Any pain after the procedure is minimal. You may feel some tenderness in the days following the surgery. This will be worst when the anesthetic wears off. Treating pain after root canal in Scarborough is as simple as taking pain management medication. Your dentist will prescribe the right medication and dosage based on your unique circumstances.
The best root canal Scarborough has to offer is at Havenview Dental, where we can save an impacted tooth and preserve your smile.
What Are the Benefits of a Root Canal Procedure in Scarborough?
Root canal therapy is an excellent option because it helps you avoid extraction by saving your tooth. The procedure is a good choice for any tooth with interior decay, but which still has a sizeable portion of health external area. You’ll enjoy quick relief from the pain and be able to chew and speak again without discomfort.
What’s more, by saving your tooth and avoiding extraction you won’t have to invest in a bridge, a partial denture, or an implant to prevent your other teeth from loosening and shifting. All this is good news—for both your wallet and your smile!
If you are seeking help with a root canal in Scarborough, we welcome you to contact us at (416) 291-3117 to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Scarborough to discuss your root canal therapy.