Tooth pain can make anyone beg for quick relief. The best way to address tooth pain is to tackle the root causes. Whether it's inflamed or infected dental pulp or tooth decay, a root canal can relieve your tooth pain.
What is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental treatment that cleans, disinfects, repairs, and saves damaged or infected teeth. Also known as endodontic therapy, this dental procedure involves removing infected pulp inside a tooth's root canals. The root cause of tooth pain is either infected or decayed dental pulp. Your Toronto dentist or endodontist can perform a root canal to clean and disinfect the canals and relieve pain.
This dental care procedure can remove tooth decay and give you quick relief from tooth sensitivity, pain, irritation, and inflammation. It also eliminates bacterial infection, repairs tooth enamel, prevents reinfection and further damage, and saves the tooth.
Do you want to know how root canal treatment can relieve your tooth pain? Read on.
How can I make my tooth stop hurting?
To eliminate tooth pain, first determine the root cause of the discomfort. Home remedies like warm salty water, hydrogen peroxide rinse, cold compress, garlic, and vanilla extract may help relieve tooth sensitivity and irritations. However, severe tooth pain due to the inflamed or infected pulp may require a dentist’s intervention. If the underlying cause of the pain is tooth decay or infection, you’ll need a root canal to make your tooth stop hurting. The idea behind endodontic therapy is to give you quick relief by eradicating the pain’s root causes. Your endodontist or dentist will perform a root canal procedure to remove the decayed or infected pulp and relieve tooth pain. You can take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen to reduce the pain until you get to your dentist's office.
How do I know if my tooth pain is serious?
Sensitive teeth and toothache are the most common dental conditions. But the line between minor discomfort and severe tooth pain can be blurry. So, when should you worry about tooth pain? If your tooth pain persists for more than 24 hours, visit a dental office as soon as possible. Your Toronto dentist can examine the tooth, determine the underlying cause, and treat it appropriately. Early detection and treatment can save your tooth and charming smile. Other symptoms of severe tooth pain include chills or fevers, piercing pain when biting or eating, bleeding gums or teeth, and earache. You should also see your dentist if you have trouble speaking or opening your mouth due to tooth pain. Signs like severe jaw pains, swelling, increased heart rate, and chest pains or tightness may indicate that tooth infection is spreading. Don’t ignore these symptoms. Bacterial infections can worsen, leading to gum disease, tooth loss, and other health conditions. Contact your Toronto dentist if you have tooth pain and any of these symptoms.
Is a root canal painful?
No, it is not! The tales of root canals as the most painful procedures come from the 19th and early-20th centuries. They have been passed on for several generations. Unlike the old days, modern dental clinics use local anesthesia to guarantee a pain-free experience. During your root canal procedure, your dentist can induce minimal sedation using nitrous oxide or oral sedatives. Nowadays, endodontic procedures are quick and painless.
How long does the root canal last?
Endodontic procedures evolve with technology and improve over time. In the 21st century, 86% of root canals last for more than ten years. However, factors like oral health and hygiene, habits, and the type of filling used can influence the lifespan of root canals. Your dentist or endodontist can clean and disinfect the root canal and seal it with a temporary filling. They'll schedule another visit to replace it with a permanent filling material called gutta-percha. If you skip this appointment, your root canal will last for several weeks or a month. Temporary fillings are not long-term solutions. You should get permanent fillings as soon as possible. Poor oral health, eating acidic foods, and counterproductive habits like gum chewing can also reduce the lifespan of root canals. With good oral hygiene and proper aftercare, your root canal can last for a lifetime.
Why are root canals so expensive?
On average, a root canal costs $800-$1600. You can $800-$900 for a simple root canal, while complex procedures cost $1200-$1600. Endodontic treatments are expensive for so many reasons. Your dentist may require advanced imaging tools like CBCT to detect decayed or infected pulp. CBCT machines and 3D scans cost more than traditional x-rays. Other factors like the extent of the damage, the complexity of the procedure, and the affected tooth can also increase the cost. The number of roots can complicate the treatment. Front teeth have one root, while maxillary molars are three-rooted. Your dentist will put in more time to disinfect a molar than front teeth. Additional restorative procedures like porcelain crowns to restore function and aesthetics can increase the price tag beyond $1600. Some dental insurance plans cover a portion of root canal costs. But the percentage covered can vary depending on your specific policy. Check your insurer to reduce the cost.
Is a root canal really worth it?
Although root canals may seem expensive, they are worth every penny. By paying more for high-quality endodontic treatments, your dentist will get the infected tissues and remove all the decay and infection. It reduces the risk of reinfection and further damage in the future. Unlike treatments, endodontic procedures address several dental conditions and offer a long-term tooth pain solution. Your dentist will clean the canals, relieve tooth pain, prevent tooth decay and reinfection, repair the damage, and save the tooth. You get all these benefits from a single root canal procedure. So, paying between $800 and $1600 for a root canal is worth it.
Is it better to pull a tooth or get a root canal?
A root canal is better than a tooth extraction. Unlike tooth removal, endodontic treatment will save your natural tooth and authentic smile. Although dental implants and bridges can replace extracted teeth, these alternative treatment options don’t guarantee smile authenticity. Replacement teeth will never feel and look the same as your natural teeth. Root canal treatments are also cheaper and quicker than dental implantology. Your Toronto dentist can complete a root canal in one day, and replacing an extracted tooth with dental implants may take several months. But you may need a tooth extraction if your tooth is badly damaged and irreparable using endodontic treatment. Overall, a root canal is the best alternative to tooth extraction. It can save your natural tooth and protect your smile.
What percentage of root canals are successful?
Root canals are 95% successful. However, endodontic treatments and other surgical procedures come with some risks. The main risk factor is reinfection, which can lead to a failed root canal. Your dentist should remove all infected pulp. Bacteria on tiny bits of the pulp can re-infect the tooth and spread to healthy teeth and your gums. You may need retreatment, which has a lower success rate than the first procedure. To avoid these risks, choose a dentist with years of experience in endodontic treatments.
Why Toronto Smile Design - Yorkville Dental for Root Canals?
Toronto Smile Design’s Dr. Johnson Ozgur is a Toronto Dentist with a Master's Degree in Oral Surgery. Dr. Johnson is experienced in root canals, dental implants, dental crowns, porcelain veneers, and more. You can rely on Toronto Smile Design - Yorkville Dental to relieve tooth pain, save your tooth, and protect your beautiful smile. Contact us today!
