At the core of your tooth there is an area we refer to as the pulp. The pulp is the portion of your tooth where blood and nutrients needed by a healthy tooth circulate. If the pulp is damaged for any reason it is susceptible to infection and can result in pain, swelling, bone damage and loss of the tooth. To save the original tooth and avoid the problems associated with damaged pulp, Root Canal Therapy is often an option.
The process involves creating an opening in the crown of your tooth. The pulp in the 'root canal' is completely removed and the 'canal' is cleaned out, shaped and smoothed. Any infection (we refer to as abscess) is treated and the bacteria that cause it are cleaned out.
The canal area, once infection free is filled and sealed. As the tooth will no longer be receiving vital nutrients it will be more brittle than surrounding teeth. We will create a Crown to strengthen and protect your tooth's chewing surface, especially if it was one of your back teeth.
A root canal involves a few visits to our office as the procedure is done in stages to allow for proper healing to ensure that all potential infection is gone, bacteria is removed avoiding future problems, and your Crown is created. You may notice that the treated tooth will often darken or discolour once the pulp is removed. If the treatment was on one of your front teeth our whitening procedure can brighten up that tooth along with the rest of your smile.
If you feel you need a root canal therapy in Hamilton, book your dental appointment at our Dundas Hamilton dental office today!
Did you know that over 50% of North Americans suffer from dental anxiety? With this in mind we've equipped our office and staff with the techniques and tools to reduce anxiety in the dental chair. Schedule a dental appointment in Hamilton today and see for yourself!
