Root Canal Treatment
Root Canal Treatment in Cambridge, ON
Severe, persistent tooth pain that throbs at night, sensitivity that lingers after hot or cold, swelling in the jaw or gum: these are the signals that the nerve inside a tooth is infected. A root canal removes that infection and saves the tooth. Left untreated, the infection spreads, the pain intensifies, and the tooth is lost.
At Cambridge Centre Dental Care, Dr. Mazin Hamdi DDS MSc and other experienced members of our team perform root canal treatment as part of our restorative and endodontic work. Dr. Mazin Hamdi has over 25 years of experience in restorative dentistry, including root canal procedures on front teeth, premolars, and molars. Root canal treatment by an experienced general dentist is the standard route for most cases. Complex or retreatment cases that require specialist input can be referred from our clinic without you needing to find an endodontist separately.
We are open seven days a week, including Sundays. For patients in significant pain, we prioritize same-day appointments. Call 519-624-4640.
Tooth pain that will not go away? Call 519-624-4640. Open 7 days, including Sundays, for urgent care
What is root canal treatment?
Inside every tooth is a pulp chamber and root canals filled with soft tissue: nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This pulp is what makes a developing tooth grow. In a fully formed adult tooth, the pulp is no longer essential to the tooth’s function.
When bacteria reach the pulp through deep decay, a crack, or a traumatic injury, the pulp becomes infected. The infection produces pressure inside the tooth (which causes pain), and it spreads outward through the root into the surrounding bone (which causes swelling and can damage adjacent teeth and bone).
Root canal treatment removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the root canals, and seals them with a biocompatible filling material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then restored, usually with a crown, to protect the now-brittle tooth structure and restore normal function.
Signs you may need a root canal
Not every toothache is a root canal situation. These symptoms are the specific signals that the pulp may be infected:
- Severe, throbbing tooth pain that does not respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
- Pain that wakes you at night or gets worse when lying down
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that persists for more than 30 seconds after the temperature source is removed
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum tissue near the painful tooth
- A small bump or pimple on the gum near the tooth (this is often a fistula, a drainage pathway for the abscess)
- Tooth discolouration (a tooth turning darker than its neighbours)
- Pain when biting or chewing on that tooth
If you have several of these symptoms together, call us. Some patients also find out they need a root canal at a routine exam because the dentist spots infection on an X-ray before symptoms become severe. That is the better outcome. Earlier treatment means less bone loss and a simpler procedure.
Experiencing tooth pain? Do not wait. Call 519-624-4640 for a same-day appointment.
The root canal procedure: step by step
Step 1: Diagnosis and X-rays
Your dentist examines the tooth, takes targeted X-rays, and performs sensitivity tests. For complex cases or when the root anatomy is unclear, we use our Dexis OP3D CBCT machine for a 3D scan. This shows the exact number, shape, and length of the root canals before the procedure begins.
Step 2: Local anesthesia
The tooth and surrounding tissue are fully numbed with local anesthetic before any work begins. A properly anesthetized root canal is not painful. Most patients describe the sensation as pressure, not pain. If you feel anything beyond pressure, tell your dentist immediately and more anesthetic is given.
Step 3: Access opening and canal cleaning
Your dentist makes a small opening in the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. Using small, precisely shaped instruments, the infected pulp tissue is removed from each canal. The canals are then cleaned, shaped, and disinfected using irrigation solutions. The number of canals depends on the tooth: front teeth typically have one, premolars one or two, and molars two to four.
Step 4: Canal filling and sealing
Once the canals are clean and dry, they are filled with gutta-percha and sealed with dental cement. In some cases, particularly when infection was severe, the tooth is left with a temporary filling for one to two weeks to confirm the infection has resolved before the final seal is placed.
Step 5: Crown placement
A tooth that has had root canal treatment has lost most of its natural moisture and becomes brittle. A crown is placed over it to restore its full strength and protect it from fracture. The crown is typically placed 2 to 4 weeks after the root canal. Without a crown, a root canal-treated molar has a significantly higher risk of fracture. See our dental crowns and bridges page for information on the crown step.
Why choose Cambridge Centre Dental Care for root canal treatment
3D imaging for precise canal identification
Root canals in molars can be curved, calcified, or more numerous than a standard X-ray reveals. Our Dexis OP3D CBCT provides a 3D view of the tooth’s root anatomy before the procedure. This reduces the chance of missed canals, which is one of the main reasons root canals fail.
Sedation available for anxious patients
Root canal anxiety is very common. Many patients have avoided necessary treatment for months or years because of it. We offer oral sedation and IV sedation for patients who need it. Under IV sedation, most patients have no memory of the procedure. A registered nurse monitors your vitals throughout. See our sleep dentistry page for the full breakdown.
Same-day appointments for severe pain
When a tooth has an active infection, pain is often severe. We reserve appointment slots for same-day urgent cases across all seven days. Monday through Thursday until 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday until 5:00 PM, and Sunday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM by appointment.
Crown placement in the same clinic
After a root canal, the tooth needs a crown. Because Dr. Hamdi and his colleagues also place crowns at our clinic, you do not need to be referred elsewhere for the next step in treatment. The full restoration is handled in one place.
CDCP enrolled
Root canal treatment is covered under the Canada Dental Care Plan for eligible patients. No preauthorization is required for most root canal procedures (unlike crowns). Cambridge Centre Dental Care is a CDCP-enrolled provider. We also accept all major private insurance, NIHB, IFHP, iFinancing, and all standard payment methods.
Root canal treatment cost in Cambridge
Cost depends primarily on which tooth is being treated. More canals mean more time and more materials.
OHIP does not cover root canals for adults. Most private insurance plans classify root canals as a major or endodontic service covered at 50% to 80% of the procedure cost. CDCP covers root canal procedures for eligible patients without the preauthorization requirement that applies to crowns. We provide a written estimate before treatment begins.
What to expect after root canal treatment
Immediately after
The anesthetic typically wears off over 2 to 4 hours. Once it does, some tenderness in the tooth and surrounding gum tissue is normal. Take pain relievers as directed by your dentist. Avoid chewing on the treated side until the permanent crown is placed. The temporary filling or crown is fragile.
Days 2 to 5
Soreness decreases steadily over the first few days. Most patients return to normal eating and daily activity within 48 to 72 hours. A systematic review published in the Journal of Endodontics found that 17% of patients listed root canal treatment as their most painful dental experience, which means 83% did not. The procedure’s reputation for pain is mostly tied to the pain of the infected tooth beforehand, not the procedure itself.
Signs that need follow-up
Increasing pain after day 3, significant swelling, or a foul taste from the treated area are signs that the infection may not have resolved. Call us if these occur. They are not common, but when they happen they need prompt attention.
Getting your crown
Schedule the crown appointment as soon as your dentist recommends it. The longer a root canal-treated tooth goes without a crown, the higher the risk of fracture. Once a molar fractures below the gum line, it often cannot be saved. The root canal and crown together are what protect the tooth long-term.
Frequently asked questions about root canal treatment in Cambridge
The procedure itself should not be painful. Local anesthetic numbs the tooth before any work begins. What most patients experience is pressure, not pain, during the procedure. The post-procedure soreness in the first few days is usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. The reputation root canals have for pain largely comes from the severe pain of the infected tooth before treatment. A 2017 systematic review found that 83% of patients did not rate root canals as their most painful dental experience.
The infection does not resolve on its own. Antibiotics reduce the acute symptoms temporarily, but they do not eliminate the source of infection inside the tooth. The infection continues to spread through the root tip into the surrounding bone, damages adjacent teeth, and eventually causes tooth loss. An untreated dental abscess can also spread to soft tissue in the face and neck in rare but serious cases. Early treatment saves both the tooth and the overall cost of treatment.
Yes. General dentists perform root canal procedures as part of their standard scope of practice. Complex cases, such as teeth with calcified canals, unusual root anatomy, or failed previous root canals, are sometimes referred to an endodontist. Dr. Mazin Hamdi DDS MSc has over 25 years of experience in root canal procedures at our Cambridge clinic. Cases that fall outside general dentistry scope can be referred from our clinic.
A straightforward root canal on a single-canal front tooth typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. A molar with three or four canals can take 90 minutes to 2 hours. Some complex or heavily infected cases require two appointments: the first to clean and disinfect, and a second to place the final seal after confirming the infection has resolved.
Yes. Root canal treatment is covered under the Canada Dental Care Plan for eligible patients with household incomes under $90,000 who do not have private dental insurance. No preauthorization is required for most root canal procedures. Patients with incomes under $70,000 pay nothing out of pocket at CDCP established rates. Cambridge Centre Dental Care is enrolled in CDCP.
In most cases, yes. A tooth that has had root canal treatment has lost most of its internal moisture and is significantly more brittle than a living tooth. Without a crown, a root canal-treated molar has a high risk of fracturing, often below the gum line, which would require extraction. Front teeth in low-bite-force positions can sometimes be restored with a large filling instead, but for back teeth a crown is strongly recommended.
Avoid eating on the treated side until the permanent crown is placed. The temporary filling or crown is not designed for heavy chewing. You can eat normally on the opposite side. Most patients find their diet is not significantly restricted once the post-procedure soreness resolves in the first few days.
If a root canal-treated tooth develops a new infection, retreatment involves reopening the tooth, removing the old filling material, cleaning the canals again, and resealing the tooth. It is more complex and typically costs more than a first-time procedure. Retreatment cases with difficult anatomy are sometimes referred to an endodontist. If you have a tooth with a previous root canal that has started hurting again, book an examination promptly.
Call 519-624-4640 or book online at cambridgedentalcenter.ca. Open 7 days a week.
Book your root canal consultation in Cambridge
Cambridge Centre Dental Care is at 355 Hespeler Road, Unit 218, inside Cambridge Centre Mall. Free parking at the mall entrance. Serving Cambridge, Galt, Preston, Hespeler, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph.