Root Canal Treatment
Root canals have a reputation they no longer deserve. Modern technique and local anesthesia mean most patients describe the appointment as no worse than a filling.
- A root canal removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, then seals and often crowns it.
- Warning signs include severe chewing pain, lingering cold sensitivity, and a swollen or tender gum near the tooth.
- Most patients report the procedure feels similar to having a filling done, not the ordeal its reputation suggests.
- Saving the natural tooth with a root canal is usually preferable to extraction when possible.
Am I a candidate for root canal treatment?
Patients with an infected or badly inflamed tooth nerve, often signaled by severe pain when chewing, cold sensitivity that lingers well after the trigger is gone, a darkening tooth, or a recurring pimple-like bump on the gum, are candidates for root canal treatment rather than extraction, provided enough healthy tooth structure remains.
What happens during root canal treatment at Sauga Smiles Dental?
Numbing
Local anesthesia numbs the tooth and surrounding area completely before any work begins.
Access and pulp removal
A small opening is made in the tooth to reach and remove the infected or inflamed pulp inside.
Cleaning and disinfecting
The inside of the tooth's root canals is cleaned and disinfected thoroughly to remove bacteria.
Sealing, and a crown if needed
The cleaned canals are sealed with a biocompatible material, and a crown is often recommended afterward to protect the weakened tooth.
What should I expect afterward?
Mild soreness for a few days afterward is normal and usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Most patients return to normal eating and activity the next day, avoiding chewing directly on the treated tooth until any planned crown is placed.
Does insurance or CDCP cover root canal treatment?
Sauga Smiles Dental does not publish a fixed price list for this treatment, since the right plan depends on what a doctor sees at your exam. The clinic is a CDCP-approved provider, bills most major insurance plans directly, and offers 0% financing for patients who qualify. Call 905-277-1560 and the front desk will work out your personal cost before you commit to anything.
I still hear patients dread this appointment before they've even had it, based on stories from decades ago. The technique has moved on. Once the area is numb, it's a methodical procedure, not the horror story people remember.
Dr. Rohit Khurana, BDS, MDS (Periodontology & Oral Implantology)
Common questions about root canal treatment
No. With modern technique and local anesthesia, most patients at Sauga Smiles Dental describe a root canal as feeling similar to getting a filling. The pain that people associate with root canals is usually the infection that made the procedure necessary in the first place, not the treatment itself.
Severe pain when chewing, cold sensitivity that lingers well after the cold is gone, a swollen or tender gum near a specific tooth, a tooth that is darkening, or a recurring small bump on the gum are all signs worth having checked at Sauga Smiles Dental.
Often, yes. A tooth that has had a root canal loses some structural strength, so a crown is commonly recommended afterward to protect it from cracking under normal biting force. Dr. Rohit Khurana will advise whether your specific tooth needs one.
Extraction is always an option, but saving the natural tooth with a root canal generally preserves your bite and avoids the additional cost and steps of replacing a missing tooth later with an implant, bridge, or denture. The right call depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains, which is something to discuss directly with the dentist.
Related services
Ready to talk about root canal treatment?
Call 905-277-1560 or book online. Sauga Smiles Dental is open seven days a week at 800 Burnhamthorpe Rd W Unit #1, Mississauga.