East Gwillimbury dentist explains how root canal treatment can save infected teeth

The phrase “root canal” is likely to elicit groans from almost anyone you know, but root canal therapy has received an unfair reputation for being a painful treatment when in reality, it is a pain-relieving treatment. Root canal therapy has frequently become the only option to save a tooth from extraction after it has been severely compromised. At Harvest Hills Dental Care in East Gwillimbury, Ontario, our dentists use modern dental anesthetics and a gentle touch to help get you out of pain and back to your daily life. 

Why root canal treatment might be needed

Root canal therapy is designed to preserve your natural tooth in cases where it would otherwise need to be extracted. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as:

• Tooth decay that has progressed to the interior portion of the tooth.
• A faulty dental restoration such as a crown that is no longer sealing the tooth properly.
• Traumatic injury to the tooth – sometimes, untreated injuries from many years prior can suddenly cause pain and inflammation.
• Frequent dental procedures on the same tooth, which have weakened its structure and left it vulnerable to infection.
• Formation of an abscess.

While it may seem easier to just have the damaged tooth extracted, root canal therapy is actually less time-consuming and costly in the long run because the extracted tooth should ultimately be replaced with a restoration such as a dental implant, bridge, or partial denture to help preserve your oral health. While dental technologies have come a very long way, when it comes to appearance and function, nothing compares to your natural teeth! 

How root canal therapy works

Root canal treatment is performed with local anesthetics to keep you comfortable during the procedure. After drilling a small hole into the tooth, the inner contents of the pulp chamber (including the pain-sensing nerve) are cleaned out and disinfected, then filled with a rubber-like material. The hole is then sealed off, and the tooth is typically topped with a dental crown to protect it from further damage.

Tooth pain? Call us today! 

If you’re experiencing a toothache and suspect that you might need root canal services, don’t hesitate to call us at (365) 659-1008 to schedule an evaluation by our dental team.

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