Root Canal Therapy
Relief from Tooth Pain starts Here.
A root canal is often misunderstood, but it is actually a pain-relieving treatment, not a pain-causing one. When the soft inner layer of your tooth (the pulp) becomes infected due to deep decay or injury, it can cause severe discomfort. Root canal therapy allows us to remove this infection, clean the tooth, and save it from being pulled. At Spray Lake Dental, our goal is to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. We use modern anesthetics and gentle techniques to make this procedure as comfortable as a routine filling.
Warning Signs of Infection
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, do not wait. Early treatment can often save your tooth.
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Severe Toothache: Intense throbbing pain when chewing or applying pressure.
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Prolonged Sensitivity: Pain from hot or cold foods that lingers even after the source is removed.
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Swelling or Tenderness: Swollen gums around the tooth, sometimes with a small pimple-like bump.
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Darkening of the Tooth: Discolouration that indicates the nerve inside may be dying.
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Deep Decay: A cavity that was left untreated and has reached the nerve.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
While tooth extraction might seem like a quick fix, saving your natural tooth is almost always the better option for your long-term health.
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Natural Function: Your own tooth is stronger and functions better for biting and chewing than any artificial replacement.
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Prevents Shifting: Keeping the tooth prevents your other teeth from drifting out of alignment.
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Cost-Effective: Saving the tooth now is often less expensive than replacing it later with an implant or bridge.
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Maintains Appearance: It keeps your smile looking natural and supports your facial structure.
A Simple, Effective Solution
Numbing the Area
We start by applying a powerful local anesthetic to ensure the tooth and surrounding area are completely frozen. You should feel no pain.
Remove the Infection
The dentist creates a small opening in the tooth to gently remove the infected or inflamed pulp tissue.
Cleaning and Shaping
The inner canals of the tooth are carefully cleaned, disinfected, and shaped to ensure no bacteria remains.
Sealing the Tooth
We fill the empty space with a biocompatible material to seal it against future infection.
Final Restoration
In most cases, a dental crown is placed on top to restore the tooth’s strength and appearance.
Common Questions
We know you might have questions about your visit, and we believe clarity is key to comfort. Whether you’re curious about insurance or what happens during an exam, our team is here to help you feel fully prepared for your appointment.
Is a root canal painful?
This is the biggest myth in dentistry! With modern local anesthesia and advanced techniques, a root canal is typically no more uncomfortable than getting a routine filling. The pain you feel is caused by the infection, not the procedure. Our treatment removes that infection and provides immediate relief. For anxious patients, we also offer sedation options to keep you completely relaxed.
What happens if I don't get a root canal?
Ignoring an infected tooth is dangerous. Without treatment, the infection will spread to your jawbone and surrounding tissues, leading to an abscess, facial swelling, and even systemic health issues. Eventually, the tooth will become so damaged it cannot be saved and must be extracted. Early treatment is the only way to stop the infection and save your natural tooth.
Can I eat normally after the procedure?
We recommend waiting until the numbness wears off completely before eating so you don’t accidentally bite your cheek or tongue. For the first few days, stick to soft foods like yogurt, eggs, and mashed potatoes, and try to chew on the opposite side of your mouth. Once your permanent crown is placed, you can return to eating all your favourite foods without worry.
Why can't I just pull the tooth instead?
While extraction is an alternative, saving your natural tooth is always the best choice for your health. Your own tooth functions better than any artificial replacement and keeps your other teeth from shifting out of place. Replacing a missing tooth with an implant or bridge is also a more complex and expensive process than simply saving it with a root canal in the first place.
Can a root canal fail?
Root canal therapy has a very high success rate (over 95%). However, like any medical procedure, re-infection can happen if the tooth has hidden canals or if the final crown is delayed, allowing bacteria to re-enter. If you experience pain or swelling months or years later, we can often perform a “retreatment” to clean the tooth again and save it. Regular checkups help us catch any issues early.
