A root canal cleans out an infected tooth from the inside and seals it, so you do not lose the tooth. At Luka Dental Care on Aldersbrook Road in London, Ontario, our dentists treat the tooth and fit the crown that protects it afterward. We numb the tooth first, and most people feel pressure, not pain.
Root canals are one part of our restorative dentistry in London, Ontario. If you also have small areas of decay nearby, we can often repair them with tooth-colored fillings at the same visit. If a tooth hurts now, call 519-472-4460, and we will make every effort to see you the same day.
The pulp is the soft tissue inside a tooth, where the nerve and blood vessels are. Deep decay, a crack or a hard knock can let germs reach it, and then the pulp gets infected or inflamed.
During a root canal, we remove the pulp, clean the inside of the tooth and seal it to stop new infection. A crown usually goes on top to make the tooth strong again.
Not every toothache means you need a root canal. Call our London office for an exam if you notice any of these signs:
Bad tooth pain when you chew or bite down
Sensitivity to hot or cold that lasts after the food or drink is gone
A tooth that turns darker
Swelling or tenderness in the gums near the tooth
Pain that wakes you up at night or lasts for days
Pain that goes away does not always mean the infection is gone. Early treatment can prevent bone loss and help save the tooth.
When a tooth is badly infected, you can save it with a root canal or have it taken out. We check the tooth on an X-ray and talk through both choices with you, cost included. Our guide to root canal cost in Ontario explains what moves the price.
How much of the tooth is left
If a crack splits the root, or decay goes far below the gum, the tooth may be too weak to save.
What a root canal saves
Your own tooth remains in place, so your bite feels the same and the teeth beside it do not drift.
What comes after an extraction
The gap is empty until you fill it. Many people choose a bridge, a partial denture or an implant, which means more visits.
Time and cost
A root canal and its crown take more than one visit. Pulling the tooth is quicker, but replacing it later adds time and cost.
Our guide to choosing a root canal or extraction goes through the choice in more detail. If the tooth cannot be saved, our page on tooth extraction in London, Ontario explains what happens next. After that, a dental bridge or a partial denture can fill the gap.
Root canals have a bad name, but many patients tell us it feels a lot like getting a filling.
Here is how a root canal visit goes:
We numb the tooth with local anesthesia and check that it is numb before we begin. Most people feel pressure, not pain.
The pain most people link to a root canal comes from the infection. Removing the infected pulp is what eases it. After the visit, the tooth may feel sore for a few days, and an over-the-counter pain reliever usually helps.
Your tooth may feel tender for a few days, more so if the infection was bad. Here is how to help it heal:
Do not chew on that side until your crown is in place
Eat soft foods for the first day or two
Take any medicine we prescribe as directed
Brush and floss gently around the tooth
Come back for your crown visit
Once the crown is on, the tooth should look and feel like your other teeth. Call us at 519-472-4460 if swelling or pain gets worse after a few days.
Once the pulp is gone, the tooth can become brittle and crack more easily. A crown covers and protects it, so you can chew on it again.
With CEREC and our in-house dental lab, we can often make and fit your crown in one visit. Our page on same-day dental crowns explains how it works. We match each crown to the color and shape of your teeth.
We use modern tools at every step of your root canal:
High-resolution imaging with minimal radiation exposure
Accurately measure root canal length, reducing guesswork
Smooth, low-noise tools for cleaning the tooth
A thin sheet that protects the tooth and blocks saliva during treatment
Lets us design your crown here and finish the tooth sooner
Waiting can turn a simple fix into a bigger problem. If you are not sure you need a root canal, we can check the tooth with an exam and X-rays at our London office.
If left untreated, an infected tooth can lead to:
Root canals are common, but a few myths make people put them off. Here are the ones we hear most.
Saving your own tooth is usually better for your mouth over time. Pulling it leaves a gap that often needs a bridge, an implant or a denture.
With good care and a well-fitted crown, a tooth treated with a root canal can last as long as your other teeth.
Not every infection hurts. We sometimes find one on an X-ray at a regular checkup.
Karen D.
Luka Dental Care Patient
Needing a root canal can feel like a lot. Our family practice has cared for patients in London, Ontario since 1972, and we take our time with you.
Why patients choose us:
If a tooth hurts or a dentist has told you it needs a root canal, do not wait. Call 519-472-4460 or book online to see us on Aldersbrook Road in London, Ontario.
Signs include persistent tooth pain, sensitivity, swelling, or a darkened tooth. An exam and X-ray can confirm if a root canal is needed.
We try to save the tooth when we can. A root canal saves your bite and avoids a bridge, an implant or a denture. If the tooth is too damaged to save, taking it out may be the better choice.
Yes. We numb the tooth with local anesthesia, and many patients say it was easier than they expected.
Usually, yes. Some patients take it easy afterward, but many return to work the same day.
Without a crown, a root canal-treated tooth may be vulnerable to breaking. A crown helps protect it and extends its lifespan.
Until the final crown is placed, avoid hard or sticky foods on that side. Maintain gentle hygiene and take medications as prescribed.
It depends on which tooth it is, how many canals it has and whether it needs a crown afterward. After an exam, we tell you the cost of each step before we start.
2101 Aldersbrook Rd, London, ON N6G 3X1
