What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root Canal Therapy In Bolton & Caledon
Each tooth contains pulp tissue which provides it with the nutrients, blood supply, and sensory innervation.A root canal treatment can be performed by getting rid of the infected pulp, cleaning the canal and sealing it for protection, when the pulp tissue is infected or becomes damaged, Smiles on Queen offers root canal therapy to treat painful and infected teeth, allowing us to preserve your natural teeth without extraction.
Do you need root canal treatment?
There are different ways to determine if you are suffering from pulp tissue damage. Some individuals may experience:
- Pain when biting down or chewing food, or simply to touch and pressure
- Spontaneous, persisting pain
- Hypersensitivity to temperature, such as when taking hot or cold drinks
- Facial swelling, abscess, presence of pus
Should you experience any of the symptoms above, visit Smiles on Queen immediately.
Benefits of root canal treatment
When the pulp tissue is irreversibly inflamed, infected or necrotic, the tooth cannot heal on its own. It will need to be treated to restore your dental health. If left untreated, an infected pulp could result in:
- Abscess that forms at the root of the tooth
- Deterioration of bone tissue
- Pain and discomfort
Unfortunately, the infection could spread fast to other areas of the body leading to systemic illnesses, blood poisoning and fevers. You may also experience swelling on the face and neck because of an infection in your mouth, which could become serious if it affects your airways.
What to expect during root canal treatment
Root canal treatments are performed under local anaesthesia (plus sedation as required) with proper isolation of the tooth to prevent contamination of the canal system during treatment (use of a barrier that covers the mouth). Many patients who require root canal treatments come in with pain, and will actually experience significant relieve following the procedure. In certain instances, multiple appointments may be required to complete a root canal treatment.
First, the dentist will make an opening on the top of the root to access the pulp chamber. The dentist will then remove the infected or dead nerve tissue, and the root canal system is cleaned and medicated. Following adequate shaping and sealing of the canal system, the tooth is restored with a filling. Finally, at a subsequent appointment, a crown is placed over the tooth to protect the remaining tooth structure and to restore function/aesthetics.
