What You Should Know About Root Canal Therapy

Many people hate on the root canal when they should be thankful for it! It is not the root canal that causes you pain. Unfortunately, it is poor oral hygiene and a lack of good oral care habits.

You can keep oral issues away by following the recommendations below:

1. Brush your teeth – Like you wash your body every day with soap, you must brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste daily (we recommend twice a day). Use a soft-bristled toothbrush not to harm your dentition.

2. Floss – A toothbrush does not reach the surfaces between teeth; therefore, the dental plaque buildup in these areas stays there unless you floss. You may use dental floss, water flossers, or interdental brushes.

3. Avoid sugary snacks – Bacteria use the sugary from starchy foods to produce acids that wear your enamel away. Reducing your consumption of sugar is the best thing you can do to prevent dental caries.

4. Visit your dentist regularly – If you visit a dentist near you every six months for checkups, they will detect any early signs of oral disease before it’s too late. They will also perform teeth cleanings to maintain your dentition healthy. 

Many people are aware of the instructions above but still skip their dental checkups and don’t take care of their teeth. The result is a damaged pulp (where the nerve is) that requires root canal treatment near you (we have a clinic in Toronto that may suit your location).

What is a Root Canal?

We offer root canal treatment in Toronto for patients with a damaged or necrotic pulp. Our endodontist will take a set of x-rays of the tooth to evaluate it.

The root canal therapy will consist of the following steps:

Management of pain – Since your dentist will manipulate the nerve, they need to administer a local anesthetic. You will be numb and comfortable during the procedure,

Isolation of the tooth – Our endodontic dentist in Toronto uses a rubber dam to keep the tooth dried and isolated from the saliva, tongue, etc. 

Pulp removal – Your doctor will remove the cameral and radicular pulp, along with the necrotic tissue and debris in there. They will shape the canals with special instruments.

Disinfection – They will use an oral irrigator (Sodium Hypochlorite) to kill the remaining bacteria. 

Sealing – Your endodontist will use a biocompatible material named gutta-percha and cement. On top, they will place a temporary cement, which later will be removed to cement a porcelain dental crown.

It may be a long appointment, but after an hour and a half, you will be ready!

What to Expect After a Root Canal?

You may experience some discomfort during the first couple of days, but any over-the-counter pain medication will alleviate it.

We recommend sleeping with the head elevated to reduce irritation. We also suggest our patients apply ice packs for ten minutes on/off if they experience swelling.

If you experience severe pain after a week, you must contact your dental professional.

Is a Root Canal Expensive?

Root canals are less expensive than a dental extraction, dental implant, and dental crown (which you would need if you lose the tooth). The price may vary depending on the affected tooth. Front teeth are the least expensive and molars the most.

The price may vary from $500 to $1,000 approximately. You need to add the cost of the porcelain dental crown.

Luckily, most insurance companies cover these expenses. Contact your and find out if they do!

You may visit our dental offices for more information whenever is best for you.