Few phrases elicit as many groans as “root canal” does. Many people believe it is a painful dental procedure, but in reality, root canal therapy relieves extreme tooth pain and helps you avoid costly tooth replacement treatments by saving your natural tooth. At Brampton Dental Arts in Brampton, ON, Dr. Azeem Sheikh and the entire dental team provide gentle, effective care so you can get out of pain and back to your normal life.
Also called “endodontic therapy,” root canal surgery eliminates diseased tissues and pain-inducing nerves from the inside of your tooth so that it can be saved from extraction. It is typically recommended when the soft tissue, called “pulp,” becomes infected or inflamed. This inflammation or infection can cause severe pain and the formation of an abscess, which if untreated, can lead to swelling in the facial area, the loss of bone around the tooth, holes in the tooth, and the spread of infection.
A variety of dental issues can lead to the need for a root canal, including:
During a root canal, an endodontist first numbs the area with a local anesthetic so that you are comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. Then, a small opening is drilled into the tooth and the pulp and nerves are cleaned out of the tooth. It is then shaped and filled with a rubber-like material (called “gutta-percha”) that seals off the root canal of the tooth. Finally, a restoration is placed on the tooth—typically a crown—to protect it from future damage.
What is Root canal therapy?
Root canals are needed most of the time when there is a deep filling.
When a large cavity or crack has gone into the nerve or a deep filling close to the nerve has gone into the nerve.
We’ve seen many cases recently due to Covid; with the stress, the clenching and grinding of teeth have increased.
When this crack or cavity goes into the nerve, it starts getting inflamed, causing pain.
When it’s left, it turns into an infection around the tooth, and sometimes it can skip that phase and go right to an infection.
What is the purpose of getting a root canal?
The purpose of a root canal is the same as when a tooth needs a filling when there’s a hole. With a root canal, we’re filling the roots of the tooth.
While the tooth is left intact, we clean the insides of the roots. This is where the nerves are and the cause of the pain.
Once the tooth is cleaned out, we fill the root with material and then the tooth.
What are the benefits of getting a root canal?
The great thing about root canals is that you get to keep your tooth.
It’s a pain-free procedure with the techniques we have nowadays, and fear and anxiety really should be a thing of the past.
The procedure can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the size of the tooth.
The downside is that it does make the tooth weaker. A root canal does need a crown. A crown is a cap that goes over the tooth to protect it.
You can now eat and even smile.
Give us a call today to schedule your appointment for your complimentary consultation.
There is no need to suffer with tooth pain. At Brampton Dental Arts, you will feel welcome from the moment you step into the office and we take every measure to ensure that your experience is comfortable, from your time in the dental chair through recovery. If you have tooth pain or symptoms that indicate you may need endodontic treatment, we encourage you to call our Brampton, ON office today at (905) 581-3726 to schedule your personalized consultation.