Root Canal Specialist

Root Canal Treatment

A Root canal or endodontic treatment is the removal of the infected pulp or core of the tooth due to trauma or infection. The inner most layer, the dental pulp, consists of blood vessels and nerves which supply the tooth with minerals and nutrition to remain resilient and strong.

When a deep cavity is created due to caries in a tooth, or if periodontal disease spreads to the end of the root of a tooth and infects the dental pulp, a root canal treatment is indicated.

If left untreated, the infection from a tooth can spread via the blood vessels, destruct surrounding tissues and cause the formation of an abscess.

This creates a large swelling within the mouth or even on the facial tissue filled with pus. Needless to say, it is also very painful and requires treatment immediately.

Each endodontic case is different, depending on the source of infection. A deep cavity, when it reaches the pulp, must always be root canal treated unless the tooth is too destructed to be saved. A tooth that has cracked superficially may also require root canal treatment and have a crown placed, since the cracks in a tooth can keep compressing the nerves within the pulp and cause severe sharp pain. The tooth is also weakened, making it most likely to break completely if left untreated. People with periodontal disease have diseased gums and bone, which can easily spread till the root tips and enter the root of the tooth, infecting the pulp. In such cases, endodontic treatment is again indicted.

If any case requires, you may need to complete anti-biotic therapy during a root canal treatment in order to prevent systemic infection from the bacteria present in the root canal entering the blood stream. Diabetic patients and those with heart conditions involving stents or pacemakers are at a higher risk of developing a systemic infection. Always ensure that your dentist has your complete and honest medical history before you undergo any form of dental treatment.

In all cases, after root canal treatment, much tooth structure is lost during caries removal and filing during the procedure to remove the infected dental pulp. The tooth is no longer supplied with minerals by the blood vessels, leaving it less resilient to stresses within the mouth. It needs to have a crown placed over it in order to maintain structural and functional integrity, along with esthetics.

The most common causes of pulp damage or pulp death are:

• A cracked tooth
• A deep cavity
• An injury to a tooth, such as a severe knock.

Once the pulp in a tooth is infected or dead, if left untreated an abscess can form and destroy the bone surrounding the tooth and cause pain

How is a Root Canal Done?

At Noble Dentistry root canal treatment consists of several steps that take place over several office visits, depending on the situation. We are a root canal specialist at both of our locations in Toronto and Richmond Hill where we will provide you with Root Canal Treatments.

These steps are:

• First, an opening is made through the back of a front tooth or the crown of a molar or pre-molar.
• The infected or dead pulp is removed, the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, and shaped in preparation for being filled.
• If more than one visit is needed, a temporary filling is placed in the crown opening to protect the tooth between visits with your dental specialist.
• The temporary filling is removed and the pulp chamber and root canal permanently filled. A tapered, rubbery material called gutta-percha is inserted into each of the canals and is often sealed into place with cement. Sometimes a metal or plastic rod is placed in the canal for structural support.
• Finally, a crown is usually placed over the tooth to restore its natural shape and appearance. If the tooth is very broken down, a post may be required to build it up before placing a crown on the newly repaired tooth.

Contact Noble Dentistry or visit our offices in Toronto and Richmond Hill for a Root Canal Treatment.