What Is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment in Vaughan is used to save a natural tooth when the soft tissue inside it, also known as the dental pulp, becomes inflamed, infected, or irreversibly damaged. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It may be affected by deep decay, a crack, repeated dental treatment, an injury, or bacteria entering the centre of the tooth.
During treatment, our experienced root canal dentists remove the damaged pulp. The narrow canals inside the tooth roots are then cleaned, shaped, disinfected, and sealed. The tooth is restored with a filling or dental crown, depending on its location and how much healthy structure remains.
At Mackenzie Dental Centre, Dr. Lloyd Pedvis performs root canal therapy using rotary instruments and digital technology that help him work efficiently and precisely within the root canal system. Our dental office serves patients from Woodbridge, Vaughan, Maple, Kleinburg, Vellore Village, and surrounding communities.
How Do You Know If You May Need a Root Canal?
In the accompanying video, Dr. Pedvis explains that pain from heat, prolonged sensitivity to cold, and discomfort when biting may indicate a problem inside the tooth. Other possible symptoms include:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Pain when chewing or touching the tooth
- Lingering sensitivity after consuming something hot or cold
- Swelling or tenderness around the gums
- A pimple-like bump on the gum
- Darkening or discolouration of the tooth
- A chipped or cracked tooth
- Facial swelling associated with a painful tooth
These symptoms do not automatically mean you need a root canal. Cracks, cavities, gum problems, bite issues, and other dental conditions can cause similar discomfort. Dr. Pedvis will examine the tooth and use diagnostic imaging when necessary to determine whether the pulp can recover or requires treatment.
Some infected teeth cause few noticeable symptoms. Regular dental examinations can identify changes before they progress into severe pain or swelling.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
1. Examining and Diagnosing the Tooth
Dr. Pedvis begins by assessing your symptoms, examining the tooth, and reviewing dental images. He may evaluate how the tooth responds to temperature, pressure, or biting. This helps determine whether the pulp is inflamed or infected and whether the tooth can be predictably restored.
2. Freezing and Isolating the Treatment Area
Local anaesthetic is used to numb the tooth and surrounding tissue. The tooth is then isolated to keep the treatment area clean and prevent saliva from entering the canals.
Patients who feel anxious about dental treatment should tell us before their appointment. Mackenzie Dental Centre also provides sedation dentistry in Vaughan when it is clinically appropriate.
3. Creating a Small Access Opening
A small opening is made through the chewing surface or back of the tooth so Dr. Pedvis can reach the pulp chamber and root canals. Keeping the access conservative helps preserve as much healthy tooth structure as the clinical situation permits.
4. Cleaning and Shaping with Rotary Instruments
Mackenzie Dental Centre uses modern rotary endodontic instruments rather than relying entirely on manual files. These motor-driven instruments help Dr. Pedvis navigate, clean, and shape the narrow internal canals efficiently.
The number, shape, and curvature of the canals vary from one tooth to another. Careful shaping creates space to remove infected material and prepare the canals for disinfection and sealing.
5. Measuring the Canal Digitally
Dr. Pedvis uses digital technology to monitor the position of the instrument inside the canal and establish the working length of each root.
The goal is to clean the canal thoroughly while remaining within the root and avoiding unnecessary extension beyond the root tip, which is known as the apex. Precise working-length measurements support controlled treatment and may help reduce irritation to the tissue surrounding the tooth.
6. Disinfecting and Sealing the Canals
After the damaged pulp has been removed, the canals are cleaned and disinfected. They are then filled and sealed to prevent bacteria from easily re-entering the internal space.
The access opening is closed with a restorative material. Depending on the tooth and treatment plan, this may be a permanent filling or a foundation for a dental crown.
Does a Root Canal Hurt?
Root canal treatment is performed using local anaesthetic, so patients should not expect to feel significant pain during the procedure. The purpose of treatment is to remove the inflamed or infected tissue responsible for the toothache.
As Dr. Pedvis explains in the video, some patients may notice mild biting sensitivity for a day or two afterward. The area around the root may need time to settle, particularly if inflammation or infection was already present before treatment.
Follow the aftercare instructions provided by our team and avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth until its permanent restoration is complete. Contact us if pain is severe, swelling develops, or symptoms intensify instead of gradually improving.
Do You Always Need a Crown After a Root Canal?
Not every root canal-treated tooth automatically requires a crown. The decision depends on:
- Whether the tooth is at the front or back of the mouth
- How much healthy tooth structure remains
- The size of the access opening
- Whether the tooth has a large filling, crack, or extensive decay
- The amount of pressure placed on the tooth during chewing
- The condition of the surrounding teeth and bite
A front tooth with a small access opening and sufficient remaining structure may sometimes be restored without a crown. Molars and premolars generally withstand heavier chewing forces and are more likely to need protective coverage.
A root canal does not inherently make a tooth brittle. Teeth requiring root canal treatment are often already weakened by decay, cracks, large restorations, or the loss of structural tissue. An appropriate final restoration helps protect the remaining tooth and reduce its risk of fracture.
Same-Day Crowns After Root Canal Treatment
When a crown is recommended, Mackenzie Dental Centre may be able to complete the root canal and place a custom same-day crown during the same appointment.
Our in-office CEREC workflow can include:
- Scanning the prepared tooth to create a detailed digital model
- Designing the restoration using computer-aided technology
- Milling the crown from a solid block of restorative material
- Firing and glazing it in the CEREC SpeedFire furnace when required
- Checking the crown’s fit, appearance, and bite
- Bonding the completed crown to the tooth
This process may eliminate the need for a traditional impression, temporary crown, outside laboratory, and second crown appointment. Suitability and treatment time depend on the individual tooth and clinical findings.
