Root canal therapy at Versante Dental in Mississauga, Ontario can save teeth and relieve pain. Find out more.

Gum and tooth pain

Swollen gum

A visibly cracked or chipped tooth

Possibly a fever
Root canals are typically done by specialists called endodontists. Endodontists understand all aspects of tooth pulp and root canals. They usually have an assistant help in the procedure.
The endodontist may review X-rays sent by your dentist or take new ones to determine the location of the infection. They will inject a numbing medication into your gum so they can work without causing pain.
The endodontist will use a dam to block off the work area from the rest of your mouth. The assistant is in charge of rinsing and vacuuming up debris and water throughout the procedure.
A drill is used to reach the infected root pulp inside your tooth. Small tools are used to remove the infected pulp. The endodontist then smooths out the root canals and adds material to fill them so bacteria will not reinfect. The tooth is sealed. They may install a temporary filling or crown until a permanent crown can be crafted.
You may need to return to your general dentist to have the permanent crown placed. It depends on the endodontist. At Versante Dental, we have dentists and endodontists under one roof, so getting a root canal and a crown is simple.

You will have some mild to moderate pain once the anesthetic wears off. It is advisable to take a day or two off to recover. You will need to eat a soft, bland diet for a few days and keep it to a moderate amount until you get your permanent crown.

It can take up to two weeks to get a customized permanent crown, but the time may vary depending on the clinic.

Your endodontist will advise you on precautions to take while you wait. You will probably be given a prescription for an antibiotic to prevent infection.

Crowns placed on teeth after a root canal protect the tooth and have the shape and colour of the tooth, so no one will be able to tell the difference. You will no longer feel the pain of an infection, and jaw swelling will disappear quickly.