Everything you need to know about painless root canal treatment in six FAQs
Many oral conditions can be prevented, stopped, and even reversed with appropriate and proactive dental care. Our team in Milton, Ontario, at Scott and Derry Dental Care embodies this approach in everything we do. Dr. Jameela Jifri and associates partner with patients to protect or resolve damage caused by dental decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss. Furthermore, our no-nonsense and well-tolerated approach to root canals effectively restores severely damaged teeth, setting our patients up for long-term oral health and well-being.
How do root canal services treat decay and damage?
Root canal therapy (RCT) is a non-surgical procedure. It is vitally important because RCT may be the only way to preserve teeth with deep internal inflammation/infection. For those teeth that cannot be saved this way or with other surgical endodontic procedures to treat the inside of a tooth, extraction followed by replacement with conventional or implant bridges or dentures is the only alternative to complete and restore the smile. While these modern options to replace teeth are highly durable and natural-looking, there is still no better tooth (in both form and function) than the natural one that developed with you and stays healthy.
How do you know I may need treatment?
Six-month recall appointments (or “checkups”) would not be complete without Dr. Jifri and her team checking for signs of decay or damage. During the exam portion of the visit, any trouble spots may be pinpointed with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras. It is essential to build a healthy habit of maintaining routine checkups before any concerning changes to your mouth arise. When you start to feel pain while drinking or eating something sweet or cold, it may indicate that there has already been damage to the tooth’s pulp (the center). Root canal therapy (RCT) has a success rate of over 97%.
However, as with all treatments at our office, root canal therapy may not be appropriate for every tooth that is severely inflamed or infected.
Are there other alternatives?
Definitely! Depending on your unique needs, we may recommend a tooth-coloured filling or porcelain crown. Large fillings can’t adequately support vulnerable teeth with large areas of decay, so we may recommend inlays, onlays, partial crowns, and full crowns to properly build up and strengthen the weakened teeth. A crown also follows RCT by restoring the white part of each tooth that is visible when you smile and may be used in other restorative treatments (such as traditional bridges and implants).
I’ve heard root canal treatment hurts – is this true?
Absolutely not! No dental treatment should ever cause additional pain. RCT has an undeserved reputation. It is not painful, but the conditions it treats can be very painful. Additionally, the procedure is largely no more extensive than a simple filling. But the public rarely fears fillings the way that they do root canal treatment! Since RCT gets rid of painful problems, our patients who undergo these procedures can finally get the relief that they have sought after potentially days or weeks of poor sleep, painful eating, and more due to toothaches caused by untreated decay. In fact, treatment is often compared to a cleaning, only for the insides of the teeth. And, since we ensure the tooth is fully numbed before beginning treatment, you will not feel a thing. After the tooth is opened up and the troublesome tissues are accessed and removed, persistent painful pressure is also lifted, and you are well on your way to renewed oral health.
What is the process of “cleaning” a deeply damaged tooth?
To deeply “clean” teeth, diseased tissues and nerves (the source of pain) are accessed and removed. Then, the channels or canals inside the teeth are sterilized and reshaped. Finally, the treated canals are sealed with a filling material to protect the area and prevent reinfection. Additionally, a temporary crown is placed to facilitate the healing process and enable the clearance of the infection while the permanent dental crown is being created.
Call the cosmetic dentist trusted throughout the Milton, ON area - Scott and Derry Dental Care at
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Why should I choose Scott and Derry Dental Care if my teeth and gums look and feel fine?
You still need professional dental care. There may be problems lurking underneath the surface, as many oral issues are not associated with symptoms until it’s too late—damage has developed that requires aggressive care or might even result in tooth loss. So, if you are due for a checkup, call (855) 438-4999 to schedule your visit to our office in Milton, ON, today.
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