Has your Toronto dentist told you that you need a root canal? If so, you’re not the only one; millions of teeth are treated and saved each year with root canal treatment in Toronto. A root canal is performed when the dentist removes the infected pulp and nerve in the root of the tooth. Afterwards, they clean and shape the inside of the root canal, and finally, they fill and seal the space.
A root canal is a term dentists use to describe the natural cavity in the center of the tooth. The pulp is the soft area within the root canal.
Every tooth’s anatomy is formed by four components
- The outer layer, which is called enamel, is the hardest substance found in the human body.
- The middle one is called dentin, a substance that lies beneath the enamel and the cementum in the tooth.
- The cementum is the substance that covers the root of the tooth.
- The most internal layer, called the pulp, is where the nerves and vessels are located. When this layer is affected, you will need a root canal.
When a root canal dentist in Toronto is examining a patient with a toothache, fracture or cavity, they will determine if the infection is bad enough to reach the pulp. Here, bacteria and decay debris can cause inflammation and an abscessed tooth. If this happens, procedures like a crown or a filling are not able to alleviate the pain the patient feels. In these cases, your dentist in Toronto will need to perform a root canal treatment.
How do you know if you need a root canal?
You will need to make an appointment with a root canal dentist in Toronto if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Decay or darkening of the gums.
- When you eat or drink something cold or hot, you feel a lingering pain.
- Your cheeks, lips or face are swollen.
- You have pain when biting or chewing.
- Pimples on your gums.
- The gums surrounding the painful tooth are swollen.
- The affected tooth looks different from the other teeth (darker, discoloured or grey).
Also, remember that you may not feel anything because the tooth’s nerves have slowly died, so if you don’t have pain but you have other signs of infection, you must make an appointment to see a professional. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess, which can also lead to a life-threatening condition.
A root canal used to be a very painful procedure. Nowadays with the new anesthetics techniques, getting a root canal in Toronto has become something many patients describe as just like getting a filling. Getting a root canal from a dentist in Toronto is relatively painless and extremely effective. In no time, you will be back to biting and smiling comfortably. When the procedure is performed, you can save your tooth from being extracted. There are many advantages to saving your tooth with a root canal dentist in Toronto. You will have a more aesthetic and natural look to your smile. Also, you’ll have normal biting force and you’ll be able to chew efficiently. Lastly, you’ll also be protecting your other teeth from excessive wear.
A root canal preserves your tooth, and after a root canal treatment is completed, the tooth will be able to function as it normally does. After a root canal treatment in Toronto, you will most likely feel numbness in the area for 2-4 hours following the procedure. Most patients are able to return to school or work directly after a root canal.