Tilbury Dental Care provides root canal treatment at 1 Jeffrey St W in Tilbury. A root canal cleans infected or damaged tissue out of the inside of a tooth so that the tooth itself can stay in your mouth. Whether you need one, and whether the tooth can be saved, is decided after the dentist has examined it. If a tooth is bothering you, phone (519) 682-1263.
What happens inside the tooth
Beneath the hard outer layers, every tooth has a soft core called the pulp, which holds the nerve and the blood supply. Deep decay, a crack or a knock to the tooth can let bacteria reach the pulp or injure it, and once that happens the pulp cannot repair itself. The Ontario Dental Association explains that a root canal is done when decay or a fracture comes close to or into the nerve and the pulp has been affected.
Signs that a tooth should be checked
Symptoms alone never confirm a root canal, but these are good reasons to book a visit:
- pain that throbs or wakes you at night
- sensitivity to hot or cold that hangs on after the drink is gone
- a tooth that hurts when you bite down
- a tooth that has turned darker than the ones beside it
- swelling, tenderness or a small pimple on the gum beside one tooth
Sometimes an infected tooth causes no pain at all, and the problem is first seen on an X-ray at a routine checkup. Swelling that spreads, or swelling with a fever, needs prompt attention, so contact the office as soon as you notice it.
Why dentists try to save the tooth
Keeping your own tooth has advantages that a replacement cannot fully match. In the Ontario Dental Association’s words, “Keeping your tooth helps keep your other teeth from drifting out of line and causing jaw problems.” It adds that “Saving a natural tooth also avoids having to replace it with an artificial tooth, like an implant.”
Not every tooth can be kept. The same source notes that a root canal only makes sense when enough of the tooth is left to rebuild it; when too little remains, taking the tooth out is the sounder choice. The dentist will tell you which situation applies and what each path involves.
What a root canal visit involves
- Assessment: the dentist examines the tooth, checks how it responds and takes X-rays to see the roots and the bone around them.
- Freezing: the area is numbed with a local anaesthetic before any work begins.
- Cleaning: a small opening is made in the top of the tooth, and the infected or damaged pulp is removed from the chamber and the root canals.
- Sealing: the cleaned space is filled and sealed so bacteria cannot get back in.
- Rebuilding: the tooth is restored with a filling or a crown, depending on how much of it is left.
Some teeth take more than one appointment. You will know the plan before treatment starts.
After treatment
The tooth and the gum around it can feel tender for a few days. Follow the instructions you are given, and ask which pain reliever suits you. Until the final filling or crown is in place, chew on the other side. Call the office if the pain gets worse instead of better, if new swelling appears or if a temporary filling comes out. Brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth and regular checkups protect a treated tooth just as they protect the rest of your mouth.
Root canal or extraction?
Pulling a tooth can seem quicker, but the gap it leaves often has to be filled later with a bridge, a denture or an implant to stop the neighbouring teeth from moving. Tilbury Dental Care does extractions as well as root canals, so you can weigh both choices in one place, including what each would mean for the teeth around it.
When a specialist may be involved
Root canal treatment is part of general dentistry. The Ontario Dental Association notes that common procedures such as root canals can be done by a general dentist but may also be referred to a specialist, for example an endodontist. If your tooth looks better suited to an endodontist, the dentist can talk with you about a referral.
Root canal treatment at Tilbury Dental Care
Our dentists are general dentists. Root canal therapy is provided at our office along with fillings, extractions and crowns, and you can read about our dentists on our team page. Our office is at 1 Jeffrey St W, Tilbury, ON N0P 2L0. If a tooth is already missing rather than damaged, our dental implants page covers the ways to replace it.
Root canal FAQs
Do you do root canals in Tilbury?
Yes. Tilbury Dental Care provides root canal treatment at 1 Jeffrey St W. The dentist examines the tooth and takes X-rays first to confirm that a root canal is the right treatment.
Does a root canal hurt?
The tooth is numbed with a local anaesthetic before treatment starts. Some tenderness for a few days afterward is common, and the dentist will explain how to manage it.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Lingering sensitivity, pain when biting, a darkening tooth or swelling on the gum are reasons to have a tooth checked. Only an exam and X-rays can show whether the pulp is affected.
Can a root canal save any tooth?
Not always. A root canal is only worthwhile when enough of the tooth remains to rebuild it. If too little is left, removing the tooth may be the better option, and the dentist will explain why.
Will I need a crown after a root canal?
Some treated teeth are rebuilt with a filling and others need a crown, depending on how much of the tooth is left. The dentist will tell you which applies before treatment.
Who does root canal treatment at Tilbury Dental Care?
Root canal therapy at our office is provided by one of our general dentists. You can read about our dentists on our team page.
Is a root canal better than pulling the tooth?
Keeping a natural tooth helps stop nearby teeth from drifting and avoids the need for a replacement. When a tooth cannot be restored, an extraction may be recommended instead.
Book a root canal assessment
To arrange an assessment, phone Tilbury Dental Care at (519) 682-1263, or reach us through the contact page on this site.