Downtown Dental
Root Canal Therapy in Vancouver
Root Canal Therapy
While it might seem like infected or badly damaged teeth can’t be saved, root canal therapy is a common procedure we can use to do just that! While some people wince at the term “root canal” because the therapy could be painful in the past, new dental techniques and tools have made root canal therapy much more comfortable and effective. In fact, many patients are glad to have this procedure completed, as it tends to relieve them of the serious pain and discomfort associated with having a damaged tooth.
When is Root Canal Therapy Necessary?
Root canal therapy is necessary when the roots of a tooth are infected or at risk of infection. Dental infections come with serious symptoms, such as pain and extreme sensitivity, and there is always a risk of infections spreading throughout the mouth or the body. A root canal procedure offers a simple and straightforward solution to prevent or stop the infection from affecting a tooth, nearby teeth, or even your overall health and well-being. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, be sure to contact our team for a last-minute dental appointment so we can assess whether you have an at-risk tooth:
- A lasting toothache (often with throbbing pain)
- Severe or unusual sensitivity in the area (especially to hot and cold temperatures)
- Swelling, redness, or pain around the face and neck
- A fever or chills
- A bitter taste in the mouth or breath odour
What to Expect from Root Canal Therapy
Once you’ve chosen to have root canal therapy, we’ll book the procedure as soon as possible (sometimes as a same-day treatment). Our team will make sure you’re comfortable throughout the procedure and explain to you what to expect. We’ll create a small hole in the tooth to access the root canals, then remove the infected tissue inside (known as the pulp). After sanitizing the area and filling the root canals, we’ll secure the tooth with a temporary filling.
What Happens After a Root Canal Procedure?
While we will place a temporary filling after root canal therapy, we typically recommend having the tooth restored with a dental crown. This strengthens the tooth and ensures that it’s well-protected. You’ll need to come back once the dental crown has been created to have it fitted over the natural tooth.
