Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.

Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.

Signs and symptoms for possible root canal therapy:

An abscess (or pimple) on the gums.
Sensitivity to hot and cold.
Severe toothache pain.
Sometimes no symptoms are present.
Swelling and/or tenderness.

Reasons for root canal therapy:

Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).
Infection or abscess have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
Injury or trauma to the tooth.

What does root canal therapy involve?

A root canal procedure requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a dentist or endodontist (a root canal specialist).

While the tooth is numb, a rubber dam (a sheet of rubber) will be placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva. An access opening is made on top of the tooth and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. If tooth decay is present, it will also be removed with special dental instruments.

Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are needed, a temporary filling will be placed.

At the next appointment, usually a week later, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with special dental materials. A filling will be placed to cover the opening on top of the tooth. In addition, all teeth that have root canal treatment should have a crown (cap) placed. This will protect the tooth and prevent it from breaking, and restore it to its full function.

After treatment, your tooth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the tooth has healed.

You will be given care instructions after each appointment. Good oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your root canal treatment.

Root canal therapy in Kitchener, usually without a referral

Our dentists perform root canal therapy in-office at 232 Lawrence Ave, so most patients can have the whole thing done here: the diagnosis, the root canal and the crown that follows. If a case is unusually complex (for example a tooth with very curved or calcified canals, or a root canal that needs to be redone), we will say so and refer you to an endodontist, a root canal specialist, rather than guess.

Endodontist or general dentist: who should do your root canal?

An endodontist is a dentist who has completed additional specialty training in treating the inside of the tooth. General dentists are also trained in root canal therapy and routinely perform it. For most front teeth and premolars, and for many molars, a general dentist is the normal choice; a specialist referral makes sense for retreatments, teeth with unusual anatomy, or cases where the source of pain is unclear. Either way, the first step is the same: an exam and X-ray at our office, where we can also take a 3D CBCT scan if the root anatomy needs a closer look.

What a root canal feels like today

With modern local anaesthetic, a root canal feels very much like having a large filling done. Most of the “pain” people associate with root canals is the toothache before treatment, which the procedure is designed to stop. If you are anxious, or have had trouble getting numb in the past, we offer nitrous oxide and IV sedation so the appointment can be as relaxed as you need it to be.

Same-day crown after your root canal

A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle and should be protected with a crown. Because we make CEREC ceramic crowns in-office, the crown can usually be designed, milled and cemented in a single visit instead of waiting two weeks with a temporary.

Cost of a root canal in Kitchener

Our fees follow the Ontario Dental Association fee guide. The cost depends mainly on the tooth: front teeth have one canal, premolars usually one or two, and molars three or four, so a molar root canal costs more than a front tooth. A crown is a separate fee. Before treatment starts you will receive a written estimate, and we bill most insurance plans directly so you only pay the portion your plan does not cover. Root canal therapy is also among the services the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) can cover for eligible patients; some treatments need preauthorization, which our team handles.

Toothache now? Emergency root canals

Severe, throbbing pain, swelling, or a pimple on the gum usually means the nerve is infected and should not wait. Call (519) 744-6533 and we will do our best to see you the same day. Our emergency dentist page explains what to do in the meantime.

Root canal FAQs

Does a root canal hurt?

The tooth is fully numbed first, so the procedure itself should feel like pressure, not pain. Mild tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal and usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

How long does a root canal take?

Most root canals take 60 to 90 minutes. Front teeth are often finished in one visit; molars may need two.

Can I drive home afterwards?

Yes, if you have had local anaesthetic only or nitrous oxide. If you choose IV sedation you will need someone to drive you home.

Do I need a crown after a root canal?

For back teeth, almost always. The tooth loses its blood supply and becomes more likely to crack under chewing forces; a crown protects it. Some front teeth can be restored with a filling alone.

How long will the tooth last?

A root-canalled tooth that is crowned and kept clean can last as long as any other tooth. Occasionally a tooth becomes reinfected years later and needs retreatment.

Is it better to pull the tooth instead?

Keeping your own tooth is almost always the better and cheaper option. Removing a tooth means replacing it with an implant, bridge or partial denture to stop the neighbouring teeth from drifting, which costs more over time than the root canal and crown.

Are you accepting new patients for root canals?

Yes. Call (519) 744-6533 or request an appointment online. We accept most insurance plans with direct billing and the CDCP.