Root Canals

Root Canals Fonthill & Welland ON

No one wants to have a root canal treatment, but sometimes it can’t be avoided. Learning more about this treatment can help you understand why your dentist may be recommending this particular dental procedure.

Dentist Performing Root Canal On A Girl In Fonthill & Welland, ON

What is a root canal treatment?

Every tooth in your mouth has tiny, narrow canals that contain nerve fibres and blood vessels. These canals, are protected by the enamel, the outer layer of the tooth. However, sometimes, an injury or severe tooth decay damages the protective enamel, and bacteria can reach the root of a tooth. Without the protection, the soft tissue (pulp) inside the root canal, that contains nerves and blood vessels gets inflamed and infected, resulting in pain. The only solution to clear the infection and relieve the pain is to perform root canal therapy.

What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?

Using specialized dental instruments, a root canal specialist will work to remove the pulp of your tooth, which contains damaged nerves and blood vessels. Once the pulp is removed correctly, the root canal specialist will thoroughly clean and disinfect the canal. The chamber will then be filled and sealed to prevent the future entry of bacteria. Once the canal is sealed, a large dental filling or dental crown is placed over the tooth to provide an additional layer of protection and strength and to restore the natural appearance of a tooth.

If a tooth infection is left untreated, it can spread to the surrounding tissues in the mouth.
By removing the infected pulp during root canal treatment, the infection should subside and clear, without harming other parts of your mouth. In severe cases, the dentist may suggest a course of antibiotics to clear the infection.

If you have a toothache or have previously been advised to complete root canal therapy, don’t hesitate to get the help you need. Call our office to schedule an appointment with our root canal specialist in Fonthill, Ontario.