Author: Dr. Genoveva Caminschi
Endodontic treatment such root canal Mississauga has a fantastic success rate and usually lasts a lifetime. We have noticed this in our own patients from what they report to us and what we see in x-rays and follow up exams.
Statistically, the treatment is also backed up by studies such as this one that shows that of 487,476 root canal procedures, 98% of root canals last a year, 92% last five years, and 86% last ten years or more. The technology and protocol for the treatment is so well established that any patient should feel reassured that they are in good hands.
So how does one ensure that they are more towards the lifetime success of root canal treatment vs. just a multiyear success rate involving retreatment. There are several factors.
1) How long you waited before treatment: The longer you let the pain and swelling continue, the more likely the infection will spread making the situation worse needlessly. Even if there is little to no pain, skipping routine exams and x-rays means that it’s harder for your dentist to determine if there is an beginning infection present.
https://drcaminschi.com/can-dentists-treat-root-canals/
2) How and when the tooth is restored after: Some people choose to skip the filling or crown that is needed after the root canal. This is a mistake. It’s vital that the tooth after treatment be sealed off properly so that new bacteria cannot get in, preventing re-infection (which you might not feel at this time, allowing infection to spread more). How long you take to seal the tooth is important as well and the sooner the better.
3) Location of the treatment. Front teeth are much simpler and are involved in much less labour than molars. Front teeth typically are used for straight cutting / biting and only have one canal anyways. The molars grind your food down. A lot of stress is absorbed on the molars and combined with the fact that they have 3 canals (or sometimes a 4th, hidden canal), makes the procedure more complicated and may need retreatment again in the future (although still not statistically likely with proper care)
4) Your age. Patients that are older then to have drier mouths and more brittle teeth. This of course leads to further infection, decay and cracks/breaks which can reintroduce bacteria or complicate any previous treatment. Usually, the restoration of the tooth after the root canal is favoured by a dental crown due to it’s more rugged structure vs. a filling to seal the tooth.
Since there are so many factors, dentists can’t really predict how long your root canal will last. However, given the history of treatment, the studies and the testimonials, we know that it will be last for many, many years.
The cost of a root canal Mississauga depends on various factors. The first factor on how much it would cost depends on your insurance plan and your insurance provider and how much your deductible is. That is how much you end up paying at the end of your appointment and treatment.
The cost also depends on which tooth you are talking about. Not all teeth are the same level of complexity. Molars are much more complex to treat than incisors (front teeth), canines and bicuspids (premolars). That said, the back molars seem to be the most often in need of root canals.
The reason for the difference is partly due to the number of canals in the tooth. There is just one canal in the front teeth whereas your rear teeth might have up to three canals (some people have a fourth, hidden canal as well).
https://drcaminschi.com/is-root-canal-covered-by-insurance-in-canada/
Then the cost also depends on what you do to seal the tooth afterwards. A crown is recommended as that prevents the area from getting reinfected (remember, a root canal deadens the tooth so you might not feel future pain), looks natural and helps you eat the foods you are used to eating.
Finally, the cost is also determined by whether you were treated at a general practitioner or a specialist.
That is why we recommend getting it looked at first because the range of cost is wide and depends on many factors. Here are some estimated ranges of costs for various teeth, each tooth from front to back getting a little bit more costly due to the increasing complexity:
- Front Teeth: The cost of this treatment varies from $300 to $1,500, with an average of about $1000.
- Bicuspids: The expense of a bicuspid root canal is somewhat more than that of the front teeth. The cost can vary from $400 to $1,800, with the average being approximately $1000.
- Molars: You should expect to pay between $500 and $2,000 for a molar root canal operation. Average fees however, vary from $1,000 to $1,500.
In some cases, root canals are not performed as the damage is too severe to the tooth and a full extraction is necessary. A bridge or implant afterwards would be recommended to maintain the rigidity of the surrounding teeth, prevent jaw bone loss and let you eat the foods you used to eat.
Root canal therapy is a procedure done to salvage a tooth that has become extremely damaged or diseased and it’s usually done when the tooth has been determined to be saved vs. a full extraction.
Some people fear the possibility of the treatment more than the procedure itself and that is because they are worried about pain and what will happen. Fear of the unknown is the saying. That’s why we make sure to ensure relaxation and care of anyone that is nervous about root canal Mississauga.
That fear however, is usually confined to the first time! In fact, most individuals say the procedure is no more unpleasant than getting a filling. If they have had multiple root canals, they know what to expect and are less stressed about it.
What is painful though, is the time before the treatment. Some people have had pain so severe, they couldn’t sleep at night. At that point, they were demanding a root canal to ease them of pain and prevent it from becoming worse. Modern dentistry has a host of technology, medication and protocols to minimize or eliminate pain and discomfort during the procedure.
https://drcaminschi.com/is-it-better-to-extract-or-root-canal/
After the root canal, you may have slight discomfort and sensitivity when the anesthesia wears off. That is temporary and any sensitivity or discomfort experienced after a root canal should subside within a few days. A good dental office will follow up with you and make sure you are healthy. Over the coming days and weeks, make sure to keep the area clean and to report immediately any lingering pain.
How much does an infected root canal cost
How and when you seal the treated tooth afterwards is very important. The tooth needs to be sealed by a filling or crown afterwards to prevent further infection and to make the tooth look and act like your normal teeth. Crowns, while more expensive than fillings may offer greater protection long term in some circumstances due to the durableness of the structure. The dentist will offer you the option if either one works or just recommend the crown if there are complicated factors such as advanced age or how the tooth structure can be fixed. The sooner this seal is done, the better to prevent any further bacteria from getting into the tooth. Remember, that the canals (and nerves) were cleaned out during the treatment and so you may not feel any future infection right away.
Many patients wonder if a root canal Mississauga is covered by insurance. This is a great question because often they do not know how much will it be and how much they will owe. Because it’s deemed a medical necessity, most dental insurance plans of course cover it.
It’s critical to get surgery as quickly as possible, as the disease can spread from the tooth to the jaw and, in severe cases, to the sinuses and even beyond. The tooth is capped, and a cosmetic filling is put after the doctor removes the diseased or dead pulp with topical anesthesia. https://drcaminschi.com/how-much-does-an-infected-root-canal-cost
Not all dentists perform root canal treatment. And some that do may refer out to an endodontist (specialist) if the case is too complicated. If you are referred out, in most cases, you will require at least two sessions. One (by an endodontist) for root canal treatment, and the other (by your dentist) to extract the artificial filling and replace it with a crown.
Root canal surgery expenses vary greatly depending on where you reside in Ontario.
An employment perk or private insurance plan may provide some help. If you do have a plan, double-check it. For “major dental” procedures like root canal surgery or other dental trauma, the amount it covers depends on the plan and the company you are with. The dental office can help you with that as well if they offer a complimentary benefits check like we do.
The crown portion of the root canal may or may not be covered by your plan. If not, there are a couple of ways to reduce that cost:
- A Health Spending Account (HSA) allows small company owners in Canada to transform some charges into a pre-tax expenditure through their organization. This can save you more of your money. An HSA is a tax-free benefit available to individuals, self-employed entrepreneurs, and small companies with two or more workers.
- If you are not a small company owner, you might be able to submit these charges under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC). It’s a non-refundable government subsidy that you can claim on your tax return. When medical expenses are reimbursed by an insurance plan, only the portion not reimbursed can be claimed.
All you have to do, is call us and we will gladly walk you through your benefits and options.
This is the timeless question that everyone asks. Ok, no one asks that other than dentists but you should be asking it because it is a very important one to you and affects you greatly. You see, professionals have to ask that question to prevent further infection in your mouth.
Dental decay is a frequent dental issue that is usually caused by infections and poor oral hygiene. Since every tooth has a delicate core called the pulp, it is susceptible to infection.
Oral infection is no joke and should always be treated with top priority. From bad breath to swelling to severe pain, that is the best case scenario. Left alone, an infection can lead to an abscess and therefore sepsis which is a wide spread infection often called “blood poisoning”. It’s your body’s way of dealing with infection with severe consequences to you and your life. Sepsis is a medical emergency often marked by fever, chills, confusion, shortness of breath and fast heart rate.
Obviously, the goal is to save your tooth so that you can avoid extraction, and keep your natural look and smile, but a dentist is trying to save your whole life as well.
Getting a root canal Mississauga may be a nerve wracking experience psychologically before hand as some people with even minor dental anxiety stress about it. To ease your mind, it’s a relatively boring and routine procedure that is over before you know it and you get to keep your natural tooth! Believe me, the patients that come in needing a root canal are more than happy to get it if it’s just to relieve them of the pain and sleepless nights they are experiencing. https://drcaminschi.com/is-a-root-canal-painful/
Of course, the dentist can accommodate you if you choose to have it extracted instead (if given the option) but we try as much as we can to keep the original tooth of course because tooth extraction has a bunch of downsides. There is a considerable risk of infection. You’ll have a space in your mouth once the tooth has been pulled. This can serve as a breeding site for germs, resulting in diseases that can swiftly spread to adjacent teeth, necessitating extractions. This space can also lead to jaw bone loss causing other teeth to shift as a result. This could cause a cascade over years of surrounding bone and tooth loss if not remedied right away.
For the majority of people, a root canal is standard option. In some circumstances, however, tooth extraction is the only solution. Both offer advantages and disadvantages, but the decision should be left to the professional.
Absolutely. Some dentists have learned and practiced how to perform the root canal Mississauga and can help you. All you have to do is ask the office if you are unsure and they can set you up with a consultation and advise you from there.
Sometimes the case becomes complicated and that can happen for many reasons. Sometimes it’s due to the patient’s age (really young or really old), location of tooth, how bad the infection is or any other complications. Even with high-powered microscopy and imaging devices, narrow canals in molars and premolars might be occluded or harder to identify. Furthermore, it may be difficult to clean canal networks with complicated anatomies properly with typical root canal therapy).
When the case gets to that level, the general dentist may refer to a Endodontist (a root canal specialist). If you are referred to the specialist, you would usually go there for the root canal treatment and then back to your family dentist for the filling or crown to seal the exposed tooth. https://drcaminschi.com/how-long-do-root-canals-last
For most people however, the dentist can do the root canal in the office so the patient doesn’t have to go to another location, saving them time and convenience. The decision however, is always left to the professional and is not a decision for the patient given the severity of the emergency that necessitates most root canals.
Of course, patients always have questions and a good dental office will be there to answer them and guide the patient with the best possible treatment so that they may
1) get healthy,
2) stay healthy and
3) give them the normalcy in life quality they had before.
Whether that’s ensuring they continue to eat the foods they used to eat or their teeth and smile to cosmetically look natural like before. Anytime you have questions, call us for free, friendly advice.
What To Do In A Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies are not entirely avoidable, but they can certainly be prevented. Like medical emergencies, dental
emergencies require immediate attention to prevent further damage and complications. Moreover, knowing what to do in the case of dental emergencies could make all the difference between losing and saving a tooth.
What is a Dental Emergency?
According to the American Dental Association1, a dental emergency is any potentially life-threatening situation that requires immediate intervention to control bleeding, severe pain, or an infection.
What Should You Do During A Dental Emergency?
Preparation and prevention go hand-in-hand to minimize dental emergencies and their damage. The Ontario Dental
Association2 recommends everyone ask their dentists for their emergency contact information and if they offer
after-hours emergency dental care.
If your dentist is unavailable after business hours, they may give you an alternative number or location of an
emergency dental clinic in your area. Place this information in an easily visible place, the fridge or a kitchen
cabinet,so that you can contact the emergency dentist when urgent dental care is needed.
Common Dental Emergencies and Their Management
Every dental emergency is typically dealt with according to the underlying cause. Below are some common dental
emergencies and how to manage them.
1. Severe Toothache
If you experience a severe toothache, call your dentist and ask them to be seen immediately. Meanwhile, you could take
an over-the-counter medication suggested by your doctor to relieve the pain.
However, you should never touch or apply any medication directly on/inside a painful tooth as it may aggravate the
pain and cause more harm than good. You should also not apply a heating pad over the affected side of the face or any
heat treatment within the mouth. This is because heat may increase the pain and inflammation.
2. Chipped Teeth
Often, chipped teeth can be saved if one receives timely emergency dental services. If you or a loved one has a broken
tooth, call your dentist immediately and explain the situation. While waiting to see the dentist, rinse your mouth
with lukewarm water to remove broken tooth fragments.
If there is bleeding from the affected tooth, place a clean cloth on the tooth and bite on it. You may also apply an
ice pack over the affected side of the face to minimize pain and swelling.
3. Knocked-Out Teeth
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, your dentist may be able to save it if you visit them within a few hours. If
someone has a knocked-out tooth, they should hold it by the crown (the visible part of the tooth) and wash it gently
with water to remove debris.
Next, the Canadian Dental Association3 recommends attempting to place the tooth back into its socket. If that is impossible, do not apply excessive force or pressure and call your 24-hour emergency dentist. While waiting for the dentist to see you, you should preserve the broken tooth in a jar containing milk or a tooth-preserving medium. If these are not available, you can keep the tooth inside your cheek so that it remains constantly bathed with saliva.
If a baby has knocked out a milk tooth, it should not be placed into the socket. Doing so may damage the underlying
permanent tooth.
4. Uncontrolled Bleeding
Bleeding from the facial region can potentially turn into a life-threatening situation if it is not treated timely.
First, rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to remove any tooth chips or debris. Next, apply a clean gauze or cloth
over the bleeding site and gently press over it to stop the bleeding.
If there is swelling, apply an ice pack over the affected side of the face to minimize inflammation. Call your dentist
to request an emergency appointment if the bleeding does not stop.
5. An Object Stuck Between the Teeth
If there is something stuck between adjacent teeth, it can cause severe pain and even injury. If you feel that an
object is stuck between your teeth, gently rinse your mouth with water to remove it. If that is unsuccessful, you may
use dental floss to remove it.
However, you should never use any sharp object like a pen or a toothpick to dislodge it, as it can injure the gums or
even cause infection. If nothing works, call your dentist for emergency dental treatment.
6. Dislodged Filling
A dislodged filling can cause severe pain if the underlying sensitive tissues of the teeth (dentine and pulp) are
exposed. If you or a loved one has lost a filling, it is vital to see the dentist immediately.
The dentist will examine the affected tooth and look at its X-ray images. If a small portion of the filling has broken
away, they will restore the tooth with a suitable filling. On the other hand, if the damage is significant, they may
reinforce the tooth with a crown after the filling. Moreover, a root canal procedure may sometimes be needed to treat the inflammation of the underlying pulp.
How To Prevent Dental Emergencies
It is impossible to avoid dental emergencies altogether. However, there are ways to minimize them; the most effective
is prevention. Here are some steps you can take to prevent dental emergencies.
- Do not use your teeth as tools. You should not use your teeth as pliers or can openers. It can lead to tooth
fracture or injury. - Pay Attention While Eating Hard Food. Avoid eating hard food too fast. Bone chips, nuts or other hard food can
dislodge a filling or a crown and may even fracture a tooth. - Wear Mouth Guards. If you or your kids are involved in contact sports, wearing a mouthguard is the best way to
prevent your teeth from accidental damage. On average, over 3 million teeth are knocked out each year during
sports-related activities4. A mouth guard can help preserve your teeth and smile.
Emergency Dental Services in Mississauga
Dental emergencies come unannounced and should never be taken lightly. Seeking dental help timely in the case of an
emergency can save your teeth and help avoid time-consuming, expensive treatments.
Caminschi Family Dentistry Mississauga is here to cater to all your dental treatment needs in Mississauga. Contact us today if you or a loved one experiences a situation that requires urgent dental care.
References
- https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/coronavirus/covid-19-practice-resources/ada_covid19_dental_emergency_dds.pdf?rev=51b8c64b2b6e45f1a7edca6343be8985&hash=DB74D9EA759D90C491B3B0EE7D934A88
- https://www.oda.ca/oral-health-basics/dental-emergencies/
- https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/talk/complications/emergencies/index.asp#:~:text=First%20call%20your%20dentist.,pills%20on%20your%20sore%20tooth
- Huang Q, Li Z, Lyu P, Zhou X, Fan Y. Current Applications and Future Directions of Lasers in Endodontics: A
Narrative Review. Bioengineering. 2023 Feb 26;10(3):296.
Reviewing Your Health History and Visual Assessment
A true comprehensive evaluation looks at the big picture of your physical health, beginning with a detailed review of your medical history. Your dental professional will discuss any recent health updates, current medications, or lifestyle changes, as conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular health can directly influence your mouth.
- Enamel and Restorations: Every individual tooth is closely examined for signs of early decay, microscopic structural fractures, or wear along the margins of older fillings or crowns.
- Gum Health Baseline: The team uses a specialized instrument to gently measure the space between your gums and teeth, tracking these numbers to protect you from early-stage periodontal disease.
Advanced Digital Imaging and Diagnostics
Many structural issues start deep below the surface where standard visual checks cannot reach. Digital X-rays are a vital component of a thorough exam, providing high-resolution views of the hidden spaces between your teeth and the health of your underlying jawbone. These clear, immediate images allow the clinical team to spot tiny cavities forming under old dental work, identify developing cysts, and verify that the bone supporting your teeth remains strong and dense. Catching these microscopic shifts early keeps treatments simple, non-invasive, and highly cost-effective.
A comprehensive dental exam focuses heavily on the health of your soft tissues, muscles, and joints. Your provider will perform a gentle external palpation of your jaw joints and neck muscles to check for signs of TMJ dysfunction, clicking, or underlying tension. Inside your mouth, they will conduct a meticulous oral cancer screening, visually inspecting your tongue, throat, roof of the mouth, and inner cheeks for any unusual texture or color changes. This quick, completely painless preventative check provides an invaluable layer of protection for your systemic wellness. At Dr. Caminschi Dentistry, we have been proud to serve as a trusted dentist in Mississauga for over 30 years! Our experienced team is dedicated to providing gentle routine dental treatments and comprehensive dental exams in a warm, family-oriented environment. We treat your family like our own, ensuring that your comfort and satisfaction always come first. If you are ready to book an appointment or need personalized guidance on maintaining a vibrant smile, feel free to contact us or reach out to our dedicated staff to call us today at 289-804-5842.
