Root Canal Treatment in Aurora

What it is

Inside every tooth is soft tissue called the pulp. It holds the nerve and blood vessels and runs down thin channels in the roots, called canals. Deep decay, a crack, a hard knock or repeated work on the same tooth can let bacteria in. The pulp then becomes inflamed or infected and cannot heal on its own.

Root canal treatment removes that tissue. The dentist makes a small opening through the chewing surface of the tooth, cleans and shapes each canal, rinses them with a disinfecting solution, then fills and seals them. The tooth no longer has a living nerve, but it stays in your jaw, held by the gum and bone around it, and you can chew on it.

A tooth that has had a root canal becomes more brittle. That is why back teeth usually need a crown afterward to keep them from cracking. Front teeth sometimes need only a filling. Your dentist will tell you which your tooth needs.

Our dentists provide root canal treatment here. If a case needs an endodontist, a dentist with advanced training in root canal care, we'll explain the referral.

Is it right for me?

• A toothache throbs, wakes you at night or lingers after hot or cold.
• One tooth hurts when you bite down.
• Your gum is swollen or has a small pimple-like bump near a tooth.
• A tooth has turned darker after an injury.
• Your dentist says a deep cavity or crack has reached the nerve.
• You have no symptoms, but an infection shows on an X-ray.

Step by step

1. DiagnosisYour dentist takes an X-ray and tests the tooth with cold and gentle tapping to see if the nerve is healthy, inflamed or dead.
2. Freezing and isolationThe tooth and gum are numbed with local anaesthetic. A thin rubber sheet, called a dam, goes around the tooth to keep it clean and dry.
3. Cleaning the canalsA small opening is made through the biting surface of the tooth. Tiny files clean and shape each canal, and the canals are rinsed with disinfecting solution.
4. Filling and sealingThe canals are filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha and sealed. A temporary or final filling closes the opening.
5. Rebuilding the toothAt a later visit, a crown or filling restores the tooth so it is strong enough for chewing.

How it compares

General information. Your dentist will explain what applies to you.

Benefits and risks

Cost and coverage

The cost of a root canal depends mostly on the tooth. A front tooth often has one canal, while a molar can have three or four, and each one takes time to find, clean and fill. Fees are based on the Ontario Dental Association fee guide. Plan for the crown or filling that follows, which is billed separately. Many insurance plans cover root canals as a basic service and crowns as a major one. CDCP covers endodontic treatment for eligible patients, and we accept IFHP and direct bill all plans. Your written estimate lists both steps before we begin.

What shapes your estimate

• Which tooth: front teeth often have one canal, molars three or more
• Whether it is a first treatment or a retreatment
• Whether a post and core build-up is needed
• The crown or filling needed afterward
• Whether the case is referred to an endodontist
• Your insurance coverage for root canals and crowns

Read more about insurance and payment, the Canadian Dental Care Plan and IFHP coverage.

After your visit

• Avoid chewing on the tooth until the freezing is gone, and go easy on it until the final crown or filling is in.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers usually manage tenderness. Follow the label or your dentist's advice.
• Call us if you have severe pain, swelling that gets worse, or a bite that feels high.
• Book your crown appointment promptly so the tooth is protected.
• Brush and floss the tooth like any other. It can still get decay and gum disease.

Questions