North York & Downsview Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is used to help restore a badly damaged or infected tooth. During the procedure, the damaged part of the tooth is removed, the rest of the tooth is cleaned, disinfected and then a filling is added and sealed to strengthen the remaining part of the tooth. The most common reasons for having a root canal procedure is a cavity caused by decay in the tooth that was left untreated. As the decay spreads deep into the tooth, it eventually reaches the nerve then the only way to repair and restore the tooth, is by undergoing root canal (or endodontic) treatment.
The root canal procedure involves the following:
- Local anesthesia is given to the patient
- The dentist removes the infected portion of the nerve (also know as the pulp)
- The tooth and root, is thoroughly cleaned
- The dentist uses a special tool to reshape the canal(s) in the root of the tooth
- Once the tooth is reshaped, it is filled with a biocompatible filling material
- The tooth may be covered temporarily and is permanently restored with a filling or crown
