Root canal therapy is a common dental procedure that aims to treat a severely infected tooth that has spread to the pulp. Such tooth cavities cannot be successfully treated by regular fillings. 

Burlington, Ontario family dentist is committed to providing high-quality tooth restorations like root canal treatments, thereby enhancing your oral health and well-being. 

What is root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy or endodontic therapy is a dental restorative procedure that involves complete removal of the pulp. It is a connective tissue mass present within the hollow section of the tooth. It comprises the nerves and the blood vessels. The vessels nourish the tooth and provide moisture to the surrounding material, while the nerves sense hot and cold temperatures. 

Once the pulp is removed, the canals are filled with biocompatible material to protect the teeth and prevent reinfection. 

Why would I need root canal therapy?

Your dentist would recommend root canal therapy for the following reasons:

• Severe tooth decay with pulpal involvement
• Injury or trauma to the tooth
• Infection or abscess inside the tooth or around the root tip
• Before the fabrication of a dental bridge when adjacent supporting teeth require root canal therapy 

Warning signs you need a root canal therapy include:

• Lingering persistent tooth pain
• Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold
• Swollen gums with an abscess
• Swollen jaws
• Tooth discoloration 
• A chipped or cracked tooth
• Pain on the application of pressure
• Loose teeth 

What happens during root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is performed in three steps, requiring one to three sessions. 

• Cleaning the root canal
  • You will be given local anesthesia to numb the area surrounding the affected tooth 
  • A rubber dam will be placed inside the mouth to isolate the concerned tooth to prevent excess moisture 
  • Your dentist will remove the decay, bacteria, and food debris from the tooth 
  • An access opening is made to expose the root canals and remove the dead pulp with special rotary files

• Filling the root canal
  • The dentist will clean, shape, and decontaminate the hollow area using tiny files and irrigating solution
  • The tooth will then be filled with a rubbery material such as gutta-percha, and seal the canals completely 

• Fabricating a crown
  • Since the tooth is fragile, it needs to be restored through crowns to prevent fracture 
  • Crowns offer a permanent restoration of the tooth

What are the benefits of having a root canal procedure?

There are several benefits offered by root canal therapy:

• Prevents the spread of infection to the other teeth
• Provides symptomatic relief from painful symptoms
• Minimizes the risk of jawbone damage
• Greatly eliminates the need for tooth extraction 

This is a safe and effective procedure and boosts impressive success rates.