This is a valuable dental procedure used to treat and preserve teeth with badly infected roots. The pulp is the live portion of the tooth that extends into the root and contains nerve endings and tissues. When it becomes infected, patients can experience pain, swelling and even total tooth loss unless treated.

Root canal treatment helps to remove the damaged parts of the tooth and infected root. In some cases, an antibiotic is prescribed to help prevent further infection within the tooth. The organic portion of the tooth that remains may be restored using a cap or crown that provides a natural appearance and normal tooth function.

Frequently asked question

When do I need a Root Canal treatment?

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
• Discomfort when chewing or biting
• Dull ache or severe pain
• Discomfort that wakes you up at night
• Your dentist has diagnosed the need for Endodontic (root canal) treatment either by clinical examination or an x-ray.

If you answered yes to any of the above, you might very well need a root canal. Please call and schedule for an evaluation at Zen Orthodontic & Dental Care.

Be aware! Not all teeth that are in need of Root Canal therapy will cause pain. It is possible to be pain-free and still need a Root Canal.

What will happen at my appointment?

We will examine the x-ray and the tooth, and then administer a local anaesthetic. After the tooth is numbed, an opening will be made in the crown of the tooth and small instruments will be used to clean the canals and to shape the canal spaces for filling. Once the canals have been adequately cleaned and shaped, they will then be filled with a polyester synthetic root canal filling and sealer. A temporary filling is then placed to close the opening. Your dentist will remove the temporary filling before the tooth is restored.

How many sittings are required for a Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment along with the crown can be completed in 2-3sittings. Only in cases of swelling, severe pain, or long standing infection, the number of sittings may increase.

Why is a crown required after Root canal treatment?

After Root Canal Treatment the tooth tends to become weak and brittle and prone to fracture. That’s why after Root Canal Treatment a crown is very important to protect the tooth and hold it together. Placing a crown helps the tooth to be able to withstand chewing forces and function like a normal tooth. Moreover, it completes the sealing of the tooth, preventing breakage of root canal filling and re-infection.

Will it hurt during the procedure?

With modern techniques and varied local anaesthetic solutions, it is rare to have any sensation in the tooth during treatment. For the first few days after treatment, it is normal for your tooth to be sensitive to biting. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications in order to control normal post-treatment discomfort.

Will it hurt afterward?

In most cases the discomfort will subside dramatically within the first 24-48 hours. Any sensitivity to cold, hot or even breathing air “in” will be gone after your visit. Nevertheless, you may experience mild discomfort to pressure that could last for several days after treatment.

The most common predictor of post-treatment pain is the pre-treatment pain. If the tooth is already hurting, the root canal procedure will remove the cause and allow healing to begin. During the first 72 – 96 hrs, we will prescribe an analgesic regimen that should allow you to begin the healing process pain-free.

The most common complaint is tenderness to touch, bite, tapping or chewing on the tooth. It is always best to chew on the other side until a permanent restoration replaces the temporary restoration.

Benefits of Root Canal Therapy versus Extraction

The single most important benefit of Root Canal therapy is that you keep your tooth. Extraction may lead to other dental problems such as drifting of teeth, bite problems, TMJ discomfort, and the need to treat adjacent teeth that do not otherwise need dental treatment in order to restore the missing tooth. No matter how effective modern tooth replacements are – and they can be very effective – nothing is a good as your natural tooth!