Treatment in Abbotsford

Root Canals

We can help you save your tooth and restore it to its original function.

Common Symptoms of Inner-Tooth Issues

  • Teeth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
  • Tenderness and inflammation in the gums
  • Tooth discolouration
  • Tenderness when biting or chewing
  • Pain in the nearby lymph nodes

Are you a candidate for root canal treatment? Our clinic in Abbotsford can help.

Why Should I Get Root Canal Therapy?

A root canal therapy is done to save the natural tooth when the inner tooth has been damaged. Some common causes of inner tooth damage are:

Infections

Bacterial infections are the most common issue. Bacteria can enter the inner tooth pulp through decay or injury. When this happens, the inflammation and infection can cause an abscess to appear.

Chips and Fractures

When there is a chip or fracture to the crown of the tooth, a root canal may be required.

Injuries

Some tooth injuries can cause the tooth to become dislodged from its socket. After the dentist has stabilized the injured tooth, a root canal therapy is often needed.

Removal

If a tooth has been knocked out of the socket, it is important to rinse and place it back into the socket quickly. If this is not possible, put the tooth in a special dental solution (available in pharmacies) or milk to keep the inner structures of the tooth moist and alive until an emergency treatment is done. The tooth will be attached to the socket with a special splint and a root canal therapy will be performed to save the tooth.

What Can I Expect During My Root Canal Therapy?

Non-surgical Root Canal

A root canal can take between one to three sessions to complete. X-rays of your teeth will be taken and examined before the root canal treatment. 

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a common dental procedure that can save your natural tooth and prevent the need for bridges or dental implants. 

How Is the Procedure Performed?

The affected pulp is removed and the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Typically, local anaesthesia will be used and the treatment may be done in one or more appointments. Root canal therapy has a 90% success rate. If your tooth is not a candidate for treatment, you will be informed during the consultation. After the treatment, you will be able to drive home and go on with your daily lives as usual. In addition to local anaesthesia, we also offer IV sedation if you prefer not to be awake during the procedure.

Root Canal Retreatment

If the tooth did not heal properly or had post-surgical complications, a root canal retreatment may be done. During this procedure, the dentist will remove the attached crown and filling material, clean the root canals and re-fill and re-crown the tooth. The success rate for this procedure is around 75%.

If the affected tooth has excellent bone support, a solid surface and healthy gums, it can be saved with root canal retreatment. Choosing retreatment can be less expensive than other alternatives, such as dental implants or bridges. These alternatives also require more maintenance and do not feel as natural as your real teeth.

When Is a Root Canal Retreatment Required?

A retreatment is typically done if the original root canal therapy fails. Some signs you might need a retreatment include:

  • New tooth decay
  • New crack in the treated tooth
  • Leaking filling material or cracked crown
  • Undetected complex canal structures
  • Saliva entering the restored tooth
  • Narrow or curved canals not treated during the original procedure
  • There was a delay when placing restorative devices after the procedure