Wisdom Teeth Removal Guideline for 2023: A Comprehensive Guide from Toronto Smile Design - Yorkville
ROOT CANAL
Tooth pain can keep even the toughest macho man awake. Whether it is cold sensitivity, hot sensitivity, decay, bacterial infection, tooth abscess or inflammation, root canal treatment can relieve the pain and save your tooth.
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What is a Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is a dental care procedure designed to remove infected pulp inside a tooth’s crown and roots. After cleaning and disinfecting the canals, the inside of the tooth is filled and sealed to prevent reinfection. Also referred to as endodontic therapy, this treatment can eliminate bacterial infection and save the tooth. Deep decay can also lead to inflammation, irritation, tooth sensitivity, and pain. Your dentist can recommend root canal treatment to remove dental pulp, relieve pain, and repair the tooth. Endodontists also perform root canals to restore badly damaged teeth due to decay or infection.
Here is everything you need to know about root canal treatment:
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When do you need a root canal?
Your dentist can recommend root canals if you’re experiencing hot or cold sensitivity or tooth pain. Teeth infections can disrupt optimal nerve functions, leading to sensitivity to hot food and beverages. In this case, you’ll need endodontic treatment to remove the infected pulp. Gum disease and gum recession can expose nerve roots and make your tooth sensitive to cold or hot. Piercing tooth pain while biting or chewing may indicate that you need a root canal. Deep decay, repeated dental procedures, and cavities expose your dental pulp to bacteria. These risk factors provide a window for bacteria to enter and infect the pulp, leading to an abscess. To treat an abscessed tooth, you’ll need a root canal procedure. It can save your tooth and enhance oral health.
What are the alternative options to a root canal?
A root canal is a safe and effective way to remove infected pulps and save your tooth. However, your dentist can recommend tooth extraction as an alternative to a root canal. What is better, a root canal or a tooth extraction? Endodontic treatment ensures you keep your natural tooth and authentic smile and function. Dental implants or bridges can replace extracted teeth, but the best way to protect your smile is to save your natural tooth. If your tooth’s crown is damaged due to decay, your dentist can perform a root canal and attach a custom-made dental crown. So, is it best to get a crown or an implant? A root canal with a crown is cheaper and quicker than extracting and replacing the tooth with dental implants. Overall, endodontic treatment is the best option to eliminate tooth pain due to infection or inflammation.
How much does a root canal cost?
The cost of root canal treatment in Toronto varies depending on the affected tooth, the extent of the damage, and the procedure. If you need a crown to restore function and aesthetics, you’ll pay more. So, what is the cost of a crown after root canal treatment? The average cost you need to pay for a root canal is between $800 and $1600, depending on which tooth needs it and how complex the treatment. The material used and size of your tooth influence the price tag for this endodontic procedure. Porcelain crowns usually cost more than other types of crowns. But they are worth every penny because porcelain can mimic your tooth’s natural properties and restore your smile. If you’re treating an infected or decayed molar, you should expect to pay more. If your dental insurance covers canal procedures, you may pay only a fraction of the cost.
How painful is a root canal?
For decades, old sayings relied on root canals to define unbearable pain. They nurtured a misguided perception that root canals are painful. All dental clinics like Toronto Smile Design use local anesthetics, which eliminates pain from endodontic procedures. Nowadays, a root canal is done in one day. It is quick and painless, like a routine filling. Once your dentist fills and seals your tooth, you’ll be back to your old self in no time. But sometimes under certain circumstances, it may take two or more appointments.
What are the steps of Root Canal Procedures?
Dentists and endodontists perform root canal procedures in different methods. At Toronto Smile Design, Dr. Johnson uses digital approaches to treat infected teeth and restore beautiful smiles. Here are the five main steps of endodontic procedures:
Step 1: Consultation and diagnosis. In this step, your dentist will use diagnostic tools like X-rays to examine the extent of the damage. You can analyze the results with your Toronto dentist and consult on the best root canal procedure to eliminate teeth infection and an abscess.
Step 2: Preparation. Your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to numb the nerves in your tooth canal. Then, they’ll use a rubber dam to prevent bacterial infections from contaminated saliva during the treatment.
Step 3: Pulp Removal. Your dentist will drill a tiny hole on your tooth’s crown. This opening should reach the damaged tissue inside the tooth. Then, they'll use advanced dental instruments to remove the infected pulp.
Step 4: Filling and sealing. This step has two potential routes. After cleaning and disinfecting the root canal, your dentist fills and seals the opening on your tooth with a permanent filling. However, an endodontist will use temporary filling. Then, they will send you to a dentist for tooth restoration.
Step 5: Restoration. This last step of the root canal procedure focuses on restoring your tooth. Your prosthodontist or dentist will use filling, dental crowns, or dental bridges to restore function. Your Toronto cosmetic dentist can use Digital Smile Design to deliver a beautiful smile. With DSD, your dentist can build porcelain crowns that are indistinguishable from your natural tooth. It can restore function and aesthetics.
What is the success rate of root canal treatments?
Endodontic procedures are 95% successful. However, all surgeries and medical applications come with some risks. For example, if your dentist does not remove all infected pulp, the remaining bacteria can re-infect the tooth. The reinfection can spread to your healthy teeth and gums. You may need retreatment to remove the infected pulp and save your tooth. But what is the success rate of a second root canal? Repeated dental procedures are complex and risky. So, a second endodontic treatment has a lower success rate than the first.
What if root canal treatment was left incomplete?
Incomplete endodontic procedures increase the risk of reinfections. If you have a temporary filling, hard foods like nuts can crack the seal and allow bacteria in your saliva to re-infect the canal. This is why permanent filling should be placed soon after the root canal treatment. If you abandoned the treatment or the procedure failed, visit a qualified endodontist before your tooth is re-infected. Your dentist can undertake root canal retreatment. To avoid these risks, get your root canal treatment from a specialist clinic like Toronto Smile Design.
Why Toronto Smile Design for Root Canals?
Toronto Smile Design’s Dr. Johnson Ozgur is a Toronto Dentist trained in root canal treatments, dental implants, dental crowns, porcelain veneers, complex smile makeovers, teeth whitening, and more. Dr. Johnson holds a Master's Degree in Oral Surgery. You can rely on Toronto Smile Design Clinic to treat tooth infections and protect your natural tooth and beautiful smile. Contact us today!