Relieving Your Dental Pain While Saving Your Tooth

Root Canal and Root Canal Removal


Root canals often get a bad rap, but this treatment is an incredibly vital service because it can save your tooth when nothing else can. At Wexford Dental Clinic , we are committed to providing our patients with high quality care, which is why we offer root canal therapy in Scarborough. With this treatment, we can get you out of pain in the time you need it most. Our dentists and our team are experienced in treating patients comfortably and effectively. Keep reading to learn more about root canal therapy and why you may need it




Why Do You Need a Root Canal?

Your teeth actually have multiple layers, and you’re probably very familiar with the outermost one: enamel. Underneath it is a layer of something called dentin, and within that lies the inner chamber of your tooth which houses the dental pulp. This pulp consists of numerous blood vessels as well as the sensitive nerve of the tooth. When the pulp is exposed to bacteria, whether because of decay or dental trauma, it can infect the nerve and cause a tremendous amount of dental pain. In order to relieve it, our dentists will need to perform root canal therapy, which is a straightforward procedure where the infected tissue is removed.

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    How Root Canal Therapy Works

    Once we have determined that a root canal is needed, we will numb the area around your tooth and ensure that you’re comfortable. First, we will create a small access hole in your tooth to remove the damaged and decayed tissue. After we clean the inside of your tooth and root canals of any debris, we will fill your tooth with a strong material called gutta percha. This biocompatible material supports the inside of your tooth to help strengthen it for the future. Lastly, we will fill the area or place a crown on top to protect your smile down the road.

    Once the procedure is over, there are a few days where you may feel some soreness. However, this is completely normal, and it will subside momentarily. If it seems like your discomfort is growing worse after the first few days, call us  to see an emergency dentist right away. 


    Why You Shouldn’t Fear Root Canals

    Thanks to modern dental techniques, including local anesthetic and sedation dentistry, this often-feared procedure is now no more painful than getting a small filling. Often, the pain associated with root canal therapy stems from the initial infection and not the treatment itself. More importantly, root canal therapy gives us a way to safely remove decayed and damaged tissue while keeping your tooth intact. The most discomfort that patients experience during this procedure is very slight soreness afterwards, which can be easily managed by over the counter pain medication.



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    Commonly asked questions about Root Canals

    • Do root canals hurt?

      This is the most frequently asked question, but actually these procedures are very comfortable. In truth, most patients feel immediate relief from pain after their root canal procedure because the source of their toothache is removed.

    • Why Do I Need a Root Canal?

      Root canals are necessary when dental decay or damage accesses the tooth’s nerve. The entire nerve system of the tooth is housed within the interior, pulp, layers of teeth. When damage reaches this inner layer accessing the nerve, patients experience the severe toothache and dental sensitivity that earned root canal therapy its bad reputation.

    • How Do I Know I Need a Root Canal?

      A trip to the dentist or a dental specialist is the only way to know for sure that you’ll need a root canal. However, the majority of patients need root canal therapy on an emergency basis, so please let us know if you’re experiencing any of the following concerns:


      • Toothache – dull throbbing and/or sharp pain when biting down
      • Temperature sensitivity – lingering pain when tooth is exposed to heat or cold
      • Discoloration – the damaged tooth may darken in color, especially near the gums
      • Gum infection or inflammation – you may notice swelling, sores, or infection in the soft tissue around the tooth

    • What Happens During a Root Canal?

      When we determine you need a root canal, we’ll numb the area around the damaged tooth immediately. Then, we drill an access hole from the top of the tooth to the pulp. The entire pulp and nerve are removed as well as any other damaged tooth structure. If you have a severe infection, we may prescribe a course of oral or topical antibiotics before we completely repair the smile. Once you are free from infection, the tooth is refilled with a biocompatible substance. Then, the access hole is resealed. Finally, we will typically place a dental crown to protect and strengthen the treated tooth

    • How Long Does Root Canal Therapy Take?

      The procedure itself can take one to three hours depending on the individual case. If we need to provide antibiotic treatment before we complete the procedure, this can add several days to a week to the overall process. Finally, you may need to return for a second appointment to receive a custom dental crown, even if we don’t need to use antibiotics before completing the root canal itself. These follow up visits are quick and painless. We simply remove the temporary crown and cement your permanent restoration in place.

    • What Should I Expect After My Root Canal?

      After a root canal, you may have some sensitivity and inflammation around the treatment site, but most patients report immediate relief from the severe toothache and sensitivity they experienced prior to treatment. If you notice severe swelling and inflammation around the tooth or your pain increases, contact our dental office immediately.

    • Do Root Canals Fail?

      Root canals do fail at times. This is very rare for front teeth, which have a 97% root canal success rate. Large back teeth, molars, have a slightly lower success rate of 85%. In most cases, root canals fail because some small portion of the infected tissue is left behind during treatment. We use all the latest technology to limit the risk for root canal failure, but when it does happen, our on-site endodontist provides retreatment that can allow us to save damaged teeth. Because we have an endodontist on our team, your root canal procedures are always performed by a specialist, which dramatically reduces your chances for complications.