Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
★★★★★
Port Dover Family Dentistry
Root Canal Treatment in Selkirk
Root canal treatment removes infected or damaged pulp so a tooth can be kept. Selkirk patients can learn how it works and what recovery involves in Port Dover.
New patients welcomeCDCP accepted
Let’s get you smiling
Book an appointment
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Serving patients from Selkirk at our Port Dover office
See every service for Selkirk patientsTreating the inside of a tooth
A root canal aims to save a tooth that would otherwise be lost.
Inside each tooth is soft tissue called the pulp, containing nerves and blood vessels. Deep decay, a crack, repeated dental work or an injury can inflame or infect the pulp, causing pain, sensitivity or an abscess. Root canal treatment removes the damaged pulp, cleans and shapes the canals and seals them to help prevent reinfection.
The procedure has a reputation for being unpleasant, but with modern anaesthetic most people find it similar to having a filling. Selkirk patients can have a painful or problem tooth assessed at our Port Dover office, where the dentist will explain whether a root canal is appropriate or whether a specialist referral is better.
Signs you may need one
Pulp problems can cause pain, or sometimes none at all.
Common warning signs
Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold after the source is removed, spontaneous or throbbing pain, pain when biting, swelling, a pimple on the gum or a tooth that has darkened can suggest the pulp is inflamed or infected. Pain that wakes you at night is also a common sign. Contact the office if you notice these symptoms.
When there are no symptoms
Some teeth need a root canal without causing much pain, especially if the nerve has already died. An infection may only show up on an X-ray during a routine exam. The dentist will explain the findings and why treatment is recommended, even if the tooth does not currently bother you very much.
Diagnosis and options
The dentist confirms which tooth is affected.
Testing the tooth
The dentist may test the tooth’s response to cold, tap it gently, check the gums and take X-rays to look for infection at the root tip. Pain can sometimes be felt in a different tooth from the one causing it, so careful testing is important. The dentist will explain what the tests show and whether the pulp can recover.
Root canal or extraction
The main alternative to a root canal is extraction. Saving the natural tooth has advantages for chewing and keeping neighbouring teeth in place, but it involves more visits and usually a crown afterward. Some teeth are not good candidates for root canal treatment. The dentist will compare the options so you can make an informed decision.
The treatment
Treatment may take one or more visits.
Cleaning the canals
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic, and a small rubber dam isolates it to keep it clean and dry. An opening is made in the top of the tooth, and the infected or inflamed pulp is removed. The canals are cleaned, disinfected and shaped. Let the dentist know if you feel discomfort, so more anaesthetic can be considered.
Sealing the tooth
Once cleaned, the canals are filled with a sealing material. A temporary or permanent filling closes the access opening. In some cases, medication is placed in the tooth between visits. Complex teeth, such as molars with curved canals, may be referred to an endodontist, a specialist in root canal treatment.
Recovery
A final restoration completes the treatment.
The days after
Tenderness when biting for a few days is common and usually responds to over-the-counter pain relief taken as directed. Avoid chewing hard foods on that side until the tooth is fully restored. Contact the office if swelling develops, pain increases, or the temporary filling comes out, as these may need prompt attention.
Protecting the tooth long term
Teeth that have had root canal treatment, especially back teeth, can become brittle and may need a crown to protect them from breaking. Ask the dentist about timing. Continue brushing, cleaning between teeth and attending checkups. Follow-up X-rays may be suggested to confirm healing around the root over the following months.
Planning your appointment
Root canal visits from Selkirk.
Call our Port Dover office to describe your symptoms and arrange an assessment. If treatment is recommended, ask how many visits are expected and whether a crown will follow.
Bring your medication list and any recent X-rays, and mention if you have had previous treatment on the affected tooth.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Root canal questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Is a root canal painful?
With local anaesthetic, most people find it similar to having a filling. The aim of treatment is to relieve the pain caused by infection or inflammation. Some tenderness afterward is common and usually settles within a few days.
How long does a root canal take?
It may be completed in one visit or spread over two or more, depending on the tooth and the infection. Molars with several canals often take longer. The dentist will explain what to expect for your particular tooth when planning treatment.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Back teeth often benefit from a crown, as they can become brittle after treatment. Front teeth may sometimes be restored with a filling instead. The dentist will recommend the restoration that suits your tooth and explain the reasons.
Can I just take antibiotics instead?
Antibiotics may reduce symptoms temporarily in some cases but do not remove the infected pulp. The infection usually returns without treatment. Root canal treatment or extraction is generally needed to address the source of the problem.
Will I be referred to a specialist?
Some complex teeth, such as those with curved or calcified canals, or retreatment of a previous root canal, may be referred to an endodontist. The dentist will explain why a referral is recommended and how care will be coordinated.
Treatments connected to a root canal
General Dentistry →Dental Crowns →
A crown covers a damaged or heavily filled tooth to protect it. Selkirk patients can learn when crowns are advised and how they are made in Port Dover.
Dental Abscess Treatment →
Throbbing pain, a gum boil or swelling can signal a dental abscess. Selkirk patients should call our Port Dover office promptly to arrange assessment.