What is Endodontic Treatment?
Endodontic treatment, also known as root canal therapy, is performed to save a natural tooth by removing the inner tooth structure and then sealing the gap with a crown, which helps restore the functionality of damaged teeth.
Sometimes an injury such as a car accident, a hard blow, or a crack in the tooth can damage the living tissue inside but the most common cause is tooth decay. Harmful bacteria break through the outer shell of your tooth and open a cavity.
If not stopped, the decay will continue toward the nerve of the tooth causing irreversible inflammation in the pulp, which then becomes non-vital. If the root canal is not treated at that time, it will result in an infection or abscess. If the abscess is left untreated, you may experience severe discomfort and the infection could spread to the surrounding bone.
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We invite you to book an appointment so we can better understand your dental concerns, explore treatment options, and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your best smile!
Symptoms of Endodontic Problems
If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may need endodontic treatment. It’s best to see a dentist sooner rather than later:
- Tooth discolouration
- Tenderness when chewing or biting
- Sensitivity to hot and cold foods
- Inflammation and tenderness in the gums
- Unexplained pain in the lymph nodes
What Happens During a Root Canal?
During endodontic treatment, the inner pulp and nerves of the tooth are removed, effectively stopping the blood supply and treating the pain. This change can cause the tooth to become brittle and prone to fracturing, which could result in the need for a tooth extraction. A full-coverage crown is recommended to prevent this from happening.
Some patients decide not to get a crown due to cost. This could result in a fracture that more than likely cannot be restored. The result will cost you more time and money than you had originally planned for.
Root canal therapy is often performed by a general dentist. In some cases, when the treatment is more complex, an endodontic specialist may be required. If you have been referred to an endodontist by your general dentist, we can provide treatment for you and refer you back to your dentist for continuing care.
Where to Get Root Canal Treatment
- Aurora
- Barrie
- Brampton
- Brooklin
- Callander Bay
- Cambridge
- Guelph (Dawson Road)
- Guelph (Gordon Street)
- Hanover
- Innisfil
- Keswick (Arlington Drive)
- Keswick (Woodbine Avenue
- King City
- Kingston (Queen Street)
- Kingston (Carmil Boulevard)
- Kingston (Princess Street)
- Kitchener
- Lucknow
- Newmarket
- North Bay
- Oshawa
- Scarborough
- Toronto (East York)
- Toronto Downtown (Queen & Yonge Street)
- Toronto Midtown
- Toronto Rosedale
- Waterloo