VisitsOne or two visits
AfterwardsCrown usually follows
WhoDone in-house, no referral
In short
A root canal removes the infected nerve from inside a tooth, then cleans and seals the space. You need one when decay, a crack or a knock has reached the nerve and the choice is treat the tooth or pull it.
What the pain pattern usually means
Only an exam and X-ray can confirm the cause, but the pattern is a good first clue.
Sharp with cold, gone in secondsUsually a small cavity, a worn spot near the gum or a leaking filling. The nerve is irritated, not infected. Book a check-up in the next week or two; it often needs a filling, not a root canal.
Pain after hot that lingersHeat sensitivity that hangs on for a minute or more often means the nerve is inflamed past the point of recovery. Call within a day or two. Caught here, the tooth is usually easy to save.
Throbbing that wakes youA pulsing ache at night, or one that starts on its own, usually means the nerve is dying and pressure is building inside the tooth. Call the same day. Painkillers may dull it, but it rarely settles on its own.
Pain when you bite downOften a crack, or infection pushing on the ligament that holds the root. Avoid chewing on that side and book within a few days. A cracked tooth is easier to save before the crack spreads.
Swelling or a pimple on the gumA bump that comes and goes, or a bad taste, is often an abscess draining. Swelling in the cheek or under the jaw is more serious. Call 647.479.3151 today; if swelling affects breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency department.
No pain, but the tooth has gone greyA darkened tooth, often years after a knock, usually means the nerve has quietly died. There is no rush measured in hours, but book soon: infection can form at the root tip without any warning.
Root canal or pull the tooth?
Dr. Malik does both here at 5105 Hurontario, Unit 6, and will tell you plainly if a tooth is not worth saving.
Root canal (keep the tooth)
- What you keep
- Your own tooth and root; only the nerve goes
- Visits
- Usually one, sometimes two; crown adds about two more
- Recovery
- Tender for a few days; eat normally once the crown is on
- Long-term
- Most last many years with a crown; can rarely need re-treatment
- Cost, roughly
- Less overall; plans often cover part of the root canal and crown
Extraction and replacement
- What you keep
- Nothing; the tooth comes out and the gap needs filling
- Visits
- One to remove; an implant or bridge adds several over months
- Recovery
- A few days of soreness; implants need months of healing before the final tooth
- Long-term
- Gap lets neighbours drift and bone shrink; implant or bridge needs its own upkeep
- Cost, roughly
- Pulling alone is cheapest, but an implant or bridge usually costs the most; plans cover less
What happens.
First visit to finish, in order.
One or two visitsCrown usually followsDone in-house, no referral
- Confirm the toothDr. Malik examines the tooth and takes an X-ray to check that the nerve is the problem and the tooth is worth saving. He does root canals here himself, so there is no referral to another office.
- Numb the areaWe numb the area properly and check it has taken before starting. If you are anxious, nitrous oxide through a small nose mask takes the edge off, and we stop if you need a break.
- Clean the insideA thin rubber sheet keeps the tooth dry. Dr. Malik makes a small opening in the top of the tooth and uses fine files to remove the nerve, bacteria and any decay, then disinfects the space.
- Fill and sealThe roots are filled and the opening is closed. This is usually one visit; a badly infected tooth may get a temporary filling and a second visit about a week later.
- Crown the toothA tooth without its nerve becomes dry and brittle. Most need a crown within a few weeks so they do not crack under chewing, which takes two further visits.
Cost and insurance.
Most dental plans cover part of a root canal, and usually part of the crown that follows. The two are billed as separate procedures, and a back tooth costs more than a front tooth because it has more roots. We bill your insurance directly. You see the estimate in writing before anything starts. No insurance? We tell you the cost up front.
Questions people ask.
Does a root canal hurt?
The area is numbed first, the same as for a filling, and most people feel pressure rather than pain. The tooth is often less sore afterwards than before, because the infected nerve is gone. Some tenderness for a few days is normal.
How long does a root canal take?
Usually one visit, sometimes two about a week apart if the infection is severe. Back teeth take longer than front teeth because they have more roots to clean.
Can I just have the tooth pulled instead?
You can, but the gap lets the neighbouring teeth drift, and replacing the tooth with an implant or bridge is a bigger job than saving it. If the tooth can be saved, a root canal is usually the simpler route.
Do I really need a crown afterwards?
Usually yes, especially on a back tooth, which takes the heaviest chewing. A front tooth with a small opening can sometimes be closed with a filling alone.