Root Canal Treatment in London, Ontario

Root Canal Treatment: What It Is and Why It Is Needed

Inside every tooth is a chamber containing nerve and blood vessels. When decay, a deep filling, a crack or trauma allows bacteria in, that tissue becomes irreversibly inflamed or dies. A root canal removes it, disinfects the canal system and seals it, treatment carried out under standards set by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.

Signs you may need one

Persistent throbbing pain, pain that wakes you at night, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold that continues after the stimulus is removed, tenderness on biting, a tooth that has darkened, or a swelling on the gum nearby. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all and the problem is found on a radiograph — a dead nerve does not always hurt.

What the appointment involves

The tooth is thoroughly numbed and isolated with a small rubber sheet to keep it clean and dry. An opening is made through the biting surface, the canal system is cleaned with fine instruments and disinfecting solutions, and its length is measured electronically for accuracy. The canals are then filled with a sealing material and the opening restored. Straightforward cases are often completed in one visit; complex or infected teeth may need two.

Does it hurt?

This is the most common question, and the honest answer is that the treatment relieves pain rather than causing it. The severe ache people associate with root canals comes from the infection beforehand. With modern anaesthesia the procedure itself is comparable to a large filling. Mild tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal and settles with ordinary painkillers.

Why a crown usually follows

A tooth that has had a root canal has lost internal structure and is more brittle, particularly molars that take heavy chewing forces. A crown distributes those forces and substantially reduces the risk of fracture. Skipping it is the most common reason root canal treatment fails years later.

Alternatives, honestly

The realistic alternative is extraction, followed by an implant, bridge or denture if you want the gap filled. Extraction is quicker and often cheaper initially, but replacing a tooth generally costs more than keeping it. Antibiotics alone cannot resolve the problem, because they do not reach the dead tissue inside the tooth. Doing nothing risks the infection spreading.

Success rates and aftercare

Root canal treatment has a high success rate when the canals are cleaned thoroughly and the tooth is properly restored afterwards. Avoid chewing hard on the tooth until the permanent restoration is placed, and keep up normal brushing and interdental cleaning — a treated tooth can still develop decay elsewhere.

Costs and coverage

Fees reference the Ontario Dental Association suggested guide and vary with the number of canals, so a molar costs more than an incisor. Ask for a written estimate with procedure codes and request a predetermination from your insurer. Uninsured households should check the Canadian Dental Care Plan. The Canadian Dental Association has further patient information. If you have persistent toothache, see our emergency dental page or book an appointment.