At Li Family Dental, our goal is to save your natural teeth using the most effective restorative treatments available. Root canals can help you maintain your natural tooth in cases where severe infection and damage to the inner tooth occurs. We perform root canals in Etobicoke to quickly rid you of pain and provide a restorative treatment that will help keep your tooth healthy and sound.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal, also known as an endodontic treatment, is used when the inner area of your tooth is infected. The inner section, which lies beneath the dentin, is called the pulp. When it becomes inflamed, it is very painful as it is in direct contact with the blood vessels and nerves of your tooth. The pulp must be removed, and all signs of infection and decay must be cleared to stop the infection from causing further damage.
When is a Root Canal Required?
Healthy tooth enamel and dentin protect your pulp from infection. However, should bacteria build up and compromise the hard, outer layers of the tooth, “pulpitis” occurs, and bacteria reach the pulp. The infection causes swelling and pain. If the infection is left untreated, an abscess can form, which appears as a sore on the gums above or below the tooth.
Pulp infection can occur when the enamel and dentin layers are damaged. This can include:
- Cavities
- Tooth decay
- Tooth injury, such as cracks and breaks that expose the pulp
- Impact to the tooth without any obvious cracks or chips
- Decay beneath an existing filling
Is a Root Canal Painful?
Root canals are often associated with pain, when, in fact, a root canal is required to stop the pain caused by the infection. A root canal itself is pain-free as we take every precaution to keep you comfortable during the treatment.
How is a Root Canal Performed?
First, we will numb the area using a local anesthetic. That will keep you comfortable during the root canal. The tooth is then drilled to make a small hole so that the pulp can be accessed. The infected tissue is removed, and we will also check for any signs of decay.
Once the pulp and decay are cleared away, we fill and seal the tooth to protect it from further infection. In most cases, we will provide a temporary filling or crown, depending on the damage to the surviving tooth.
If a crown is required, you still maintain your natural tooth structure. We will shape the tooth to accommodate the crown, which is bonded to your existing tooth using strong dental cement.
Symptoms of Pulpitis
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you might need a root canal:
- Swelling
- Tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet food
- Fever
- The appearance of an abscess (sore) on the gums
- Swollen glands
- Bad breath
- Bad taste in the mouth
Dental pain is never something to ignore. You can avoid pain and serious dental issues with proper dental hygiene and regular dental checkups.
If you think you are in need of a root canal in Etobicoke, call our team right away at 416-232-2033.