Root Canal Treatment

Root canal treatment saves teeth in Mississauga.

Adults normally get 32 “permanent” teeth. A natural tooth remains preferable to most people for appearance and function. Yet, untreated decay or a traumatic injury can badly compromise a tooth. In many such situations, Dr. Jameela Jifri and her associates at Huron Dental Centre in Mississauga can save the tooth with root canal treatment.

When root canal therapy is needed

At the centre of each tooth is a pulp chamber filled with blood vessels. This space also houses nerves, which travel through minute canals to the tooth root. The pulp chamber is protected with rigid dentin and a hard layer of enamel. When decay or damage creates an opening – even a tiny crack – in these structures, harmful oral pathogens make their way to the interior of the tooth. The resulting infection inflames nerves and builds pressure. (A blow to the face can also cause nerves to die, sometimes years later.)

You may experience:

• Intermittent toothache.
• Pain when biting down.
• Tenderness around the tooth.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold.
• The tooth may darken.
• In some cases, the tooth abscesses causing acute pain and facial swelling.

Video Transcript

Root Canal – root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful, but when done properly, it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth, its root and its nerves become irritated. As a result the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure, the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with a natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95% or greater. Most root canals are diagnosed by patient’s sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist if any symptoms or discomfort occur.

Gentle procedure

Root canal treatment has an unsettling reputation, but it is unfounded. In truth, this procedure gets you out of pain quickly, and in most situations, is the only alternative to having the natural tooth extracted. From the patient’s point of view, it is about like getting a filling, but the appointment takes a bit longer.

The mouth is thoroughly numbed, bringing immediate relief. The dentist removes decay or damaged structure and opens the pulp chamber. This alleviates painful pressure within the tooth. Blood vessels and nerves are removed, and the chamber and canals are sanitized to eliminate bacterial infection. The opening is sealed, and the tooth is protected with a temporary restoration. You may be prescribed antibiotics or pain medications. After about two weeks, you return to have the interim restoration removed and a lovely porcelain crown cemented into place. With good oral hygiene, you could retain the natural tooth for a lifetime.

Root canal treatment is nothing to fear in Mississauga. Call 855-393-0900 for a regular or urgent appointment.