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Mississauga, ON · Tooth-Saving Treatment

Root Canal Therapy in Mississauga

Root canal therapy gets a bad reputation, but the reality is that it relieves severe tooth pain, saves your natural tooth, and is far more comfortable than most people expect.
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Overview

What is root canal therapy?

Root canal therapy is a procedure that removes infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside the tooth, then cleans, shapes, and seals the root canals to prevent reinfection. The tooth is then restored, typically with a crown, so it can function normally for many years.The pulp is the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. When it becomes infected, due to deep decay, a crack, or trauma, it causes intense pain and can lead to abscess and bone loss if untreated. Root canal therapy eliminates the infection, relieves the pain, and saves the tooth from extraction. With modern techniques and anesthesia, the procedure is significantly more comfortable than its reputation suggests.

Relieve Severe Pain

The throbbing, persistent pain of an infected tooth is caused by inflammation and pressure inside the closed pulp chamber. Root canal therapy eliminates the source of that pain. Most patients notice significant relief even before they leave the clinic.

Save Your Natural Tooth

Extracting a tooth is simpler upfront but creates a cascade of longer-term concerns, shifting teeth, bone loss, and the need for a replacement restoration. Root canal therapy saves the natural tooth, preserving both function and the surrounding bone.

Stop the Spread of Infection

A dental abscess can spread beyond the tooth to surrounding bone and tissue, and in rare cases, beyond the jaw entirely. Root canal therapy stops the infection at its source before it has the opportunity to progress.
Who This Is For

Signs you may need root canal therapy.

Root canal therapy is recommended when the tooth pulp has become infected or irreversibly inflamed. Several symptoms can indicate this, though in some cases, there are no symptoms at all and the issue is discovered on X-rays during a routine exam.

Severe, Persistent Toothache

Deep, throbbing pain, particularly pain that lingers after the source of cold or heat is removed, often signals pulp inflammation or infection. If pain wakes you at night or doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication, call us.

Sensitivity to Temperature

Brief sensitivity to hot or cold is common and often benign. Sensitivity that lingers for more than a few seconds, intensifies over time, or occurs without a stimulus can indicate the pulp is compromised and needs assessment.

Visible Swelling or Abscess

A pimple-like bump on the gum near a tooth, facial swelling, or a persistent bad taste are signs of infection at the root. Dental abscesses are urgent, the infection can spread and become a serious health concern if not treated promptly.

Discolouration or Trauma

A tooth that has darkened without an obvious cause may have pulp that has died following trauma. Even if no pain is present, a non-vital tooth can harbour infection. X-rays and clinical assessment determine whether root canal therapy is needed.
What To Expect

Root canal therapy, step by step.

1

Assessment & Diagnosis

We take targeted X-rays and perform clinical tests, percussion, temperature, and probing, to confirm pulp involvement and determine the extent of infection. We explain our findings clearly and discuss why root canal therapy is recommended over alternatives.

2

Anesthesia & Isolation

Local anesthetic is administered to completely numb the area. A rubber dam is placed around the tooth to isolate it and maintain a clean working environment throughout the procedure. You should feel pressure but no pain.

3

Pulp Removal & Canal Cleaning

A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. Infected pulp tissue is removed using fine instruments, and the root canals are carefully shaped and cleaned. Antimicrobial irrigation is used to eliminate remaining bacteria.

4

Sealing the Canals

Once clean, the root canals are filled with a biocompatible material (gutta-percha) and sealed. A temporary or permanent filling closes the access opening. Most root canals are completed in one to two appointments.

5

Crown Placement

A treated tooth is significantly more brittle than an untreated one. A crown is almost always recommended after root canal therapy to protect the tooth from fracture and restore full function. We coordinate the crown appointment to follow the root canal with minimal delay.
Honest Expectations

Benefits and realistic considerations.

What You Gain

  • Relief from severe toothache, often felt immediately after the procedure
  • Your natural tooth is saved, avoiding the long-term consequences of extraction
  • Infection is eliminated at the source, protecting surrounding bone and tissue
  • A restored tooth that can function normally for many years

Things to Know

  • Some soreness in the treated area for two to three days after the procedure is normal
  • A crown is typically needed after root canal therapy, plan for this second step
  • Root canal success rates exceed 95% in most cases; occasionally a retreatment is needed
  • We're a CDCP office, ask about coverage, as root canal therapy is often a covered procedure
Preparation & Aftercare

Before, during, and after root canal therapy.

Before Your Appointment

Take any prescribed antibiotics or pain relievers as directed before the appointment if they’ve been recommended. Eat a normal meal beforehand, the appointment typically takes 60 to 90 minutes and you’ll be numb afterward, making eating uncomfortable for a few hours. Let us know about all current medications and any changes to your health history. If anxiety is a concern, ask about nitrous oxide sedation when you book.

During the Procedure

Local anesthetic ensures you feel pressure and vibration but no pain. If at any point you feel discomfort beyond pressure, raise your hand, we stop immediately and assess. Most patients are surprised at how manageable the procedure is once the anesthetic takes effect. The procedure typically takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on the tooth and the complexity of the root system.

After Treatment

Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the permanent crown is placed, it is vulnerable to fracture without full coverage. Some tenderness and mild aching for two to four days is normal; manage with over-the-counter pain relievers. The area may feel different from your other teeth for a week or two as healing progresses. Contact us if severe pain, swelling, or fever develop, these warrant prompt attention.
At-Home Care

Caring for your tooth after root canal therapy.

Proper care after root canal therapy protects your investment and ensures the best long-term outcome.
Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until your crown is placed
Take prescribed medications, including antibiotics, for the full course
Manage soreness with ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed
Brush and floss gently around the temporary filling, do not avoid the area
Contact us immediately if you experience severe swelling, fever, or worsening pain
Book your crown appointment promptly, don’t leave the tooth unprotected longer than necessary
Related Treatments

Treatments commonly connected with root canal therapy.

Crowns & Bridges

A crown is almost always needed after root canal therapy to protect the treated tooth from fracture. We plan the crown as the natural next step and coordinate the appointments to minimize total treatment time.

Tooth Extractions

When a tooth is too compromised to save even with root canal therapy, extraction is the alternative. We present both options with honest advice on which is more appropriate for your specific situation and long-term goals.

Dental Implants

If root canal therapy is not feasible and extraction is necessary, a dental implant can replace the lost tooth permanently. Dr. Ameen’s implant expertise means this option is available in-house without a specialist referral.
Why Tomken Dental

Why Mississauga patients trust us for root canal therapy.

Minimizing Discomfort From Start to Finish

We know root canal therapy has a fearsome reputation. Our team is experienced at administering effective anesthesia, setting realistic expectations, and working at a pace that keeps you comfortable. Most patients leave our clinic considerably less afraid of root canals than when they arrived.

Same-Day Access When Urgent

Infected teeth are dental emergencies. When your pain is severe and the cause is clear, we work to provide treatment the same day rather than scheduling weeks out. Prompt intervention prevents the infection from worsening and gets you out of pain faster.

Coordinated Crown Planning

Root canal therapy is step one. We plan the crown from the outset so there’s no gap between completing the root canal and protecting the tooth. You leave with a clear timeline and know exactly what to expect at every stage.
Common Questions

Root canal therapy FAQ.

Is root canal therapy painful?
The procedure itself is not painful, local anesthetic ensures you feel pressure but no pain. Post-procedure soreness lasts two to four days and is manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. The pain patients associate with root canals is actually the pain of the infection before treatment, treatment relieves it.
Most root canals are completed in one appointment of 60 to 90 minutes. Teeth with more complex root systems, or cases with significant infection, may require a second appointment to ensure the canals are fully clean before final sealing.
Extraction is simpler in the short term but creates long-term consequences: shifting of adjacent teeth, bone resorption at the extraction site, and the cost and complexity of a replacement. Saving the natural tooth with root canal therapy is almost always the better long-term outcome when it’s viable.
In almost all cases, yes. A tooth that has had its pulp removed is significantly more brittle and prone to fracture. A crown protects the remaining tooth structure, restores full function, and is essential to the long-term success of root canal treatment.
Symptoms include severe or persistent tooth pain, prolonged sensitivity to temperature, darkening of the tooth, or swelling near the gum. However, some teeth requiring root canals have no symptoms at all and are identified on X-rays. If you’re experiencing any tooth pain, call us at (647) 692-6053, we’ll assess promptly.

Don't let tooth pain wait. We can help today.

Call (647) 692-6053 for same-day assessment of severe tooth pain. Request an appointment online at Tomken Dental.
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