Root Canal Treatment in Kitchener

Root canals have a reputation they don’t really deserve. The pain people remember is usually the infected tooth that sent them to the dentist, not the treatment that fixed it. At Fairway Dental in Kitchener we see a lot of patients with a throbbing toothache or an abscess, and a root canal is often how we stop that pain while keeping the natural tooth. Here’s how to tell when the nerve inside a tooth is in trouble, what the treatment involves and how the tooth heals afterwards.

What’s inside a tooth

Under the hard enamel and dentin is a soft core called the pulp. It holds nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue, and it runs down through narrow channels in each root. Those channels are the root canals. Front teeth usually have one, while molars can have three, four or more.

When deep decay, a crack or a hard knock lets bacteria reach the pulp, it becomes inflamed. Because the pulp is boxed in by hard walls, the swelling has nowhere to go, which is why the pain can be so intense. Left alone, the pulp dies and the infection can spread out of the root tip into the jawbone, forming an abscess.

Signs the nerve is in trouble

A deep, throbbing ache that can keep you up at night
Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers long after the drink is gone
Pain that eases with cold water but flares with heat
Sharp pain when you bite down or tap the tooth
A tooth that has turned grey or darker than its neighbours
A pimple on the gum that oozes or keeps coming back
Swelling in the gum, cheek or jaw

Sometimes the pain suddenly stops. That can mean the nerve has died, not that the problem is gone. The infection can keep growing quietly, so it’s still worth having the tooth checked.

Is it an emergency?

Call us as soon as you can if you have severe pain, swelling or a fever with a toothache. These are signs of an active infection. Go to a hospital emergency department right away if swelling is spreading toward your eye or down your neck, or if it’s making it difficult to breathe, swallow or open your mouth.

Until you’re seen

Use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek
Take pain relievers you normally use safely, following the label
Sleep with your head propped up, which can ease the pressure
Avoid chewing on the sore side and steer clear of very hot or cold food
Don’t put heat on your face or try to pop a gum bump yourself

Root canal treatment step by step

Diagnosis

The dentist examines the tooth, runs a few quick tests with cold and tapping, and takes an X-ray to see the roots and any infection around them. They’ll explain whether the tooth can be saved and talk through the alternatives, which usually come down to a root canal or removing the tooth.

Emergency relief

If you’re in a lot of pain, the first visit may focus on relief. The tooth is numbed, a small opening is made in the top, and the inflamed or infected pulp is removed. That alone takes away much of the pressure. The canals are cleaned and filled with a medicated dressing, and a temporary filling seals the tooth until the next visit.

Cleaning and shaping

Using fine instruments, the dentist cleans each canal along its full length and shapes it so it can be sealed. The canals are rinsed with disinfecting solutions throughout. A thin rubber sheet called a dental dam is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and clean, and to stop anything from going down your throat.

Filling the canals

Once the canals are clean, they’re filled with a rubbery material and a sealer so bacteria can’t get back in. The top of the tooth is then closed with a filling.

Some root canals are finished in one visit. Others, especially molars or teeth with a large infection, take two. Very complex cases, like curved roots or a tooth that has had a root canal before, may be referred, and the dentist will tell you if that’s the better route.

What it feels like in the chair

Knowing what to expect takes a lot of the dread out of it. Once the freezing has set in, you’ll feel the dentist working but shouldn’t feel sharp pain. The rubber dam can feel odd at first, a bit like a small raincoat over your mouth, but it means you won’t taste the cleaning solutions and you can swallow normally. You’ll hear the quiet whir of instruments and feel some pressure and vibration. Many people find the hardest part is keeping their mouth open for a while, so we give breaks and a bite block to rest your jaw on.

A very inflamed tooth can sometimes be hard to numb completely, especially lower molars. If you feel anything sharp, raise your hand. The dentist can add more anaesthetic or use a different technique until the tooth is properly frozen. You should never have to grit your teeth through it.

Tips if you’re anxious

Tell us when you book and again when you arrive
Agree on a hand signal to pause before we start
Bring headphones and something to listen to
Eat a light meal beforehand, since you won’t want to chew until the numbness wears off

Recovery and protecting the tooth

The tooth is commonly tender for a few days, especially when biting. That’s the tissue around the root settling down. Over-the-counter pain relief usually handles it. If you were prescribed antibiotics for an infection, take the full course.

Call us if pain gets worse after the first few days, swelling returns, or the temporary filling falls out.

Why a crown often follows

A tooth that’s had a root canal no longer has a blood supply inside it and tends to become more brittle, especially if a lot of it was lost to decay. Back teeth take heavy chewing forces, so the dentist will often recommend a crown to keep the tooth from cracking. Until it’s crowned, go easy on that side.

Common questions

Is a root canal painful?

With good numbing, most people say it feels much like getting a filling, just longer. The goal is to take pain away, not cause it.

Wouldn’t it be easier to pull the tooth?

Extraction is quicker in the moment, and it’s a reasonable choice for some teeth. But a missing tooth affects chewing and lets other teeth shift, and replacing it later with a bridge or implant means more time and more treatment. Keeping your own tooth is often worth it.

Will antibiotics alone fix it?

Antibiotics can calm a spreading infection, but they can’t reach the dead tissue inside the tooth. Without treatment the infection usually comes back.

How long does a root canal treated tooth last?

With a good seal, a crown where needed and regular care, many last for the rest of your life.

If you have a throbbing toothache, swelling or a gum bump that won’t go away, call Fairway Dental in Kitchener at 519-893-9494. We’ll find the source of the pain and, if a root canal is the right answer, get you out of pain and keep your tooth.

Related treatments

Questions or ready to book? Contact our Kitchener office or call 519-893-9494.