Root Canal Treatment & Endodontics in Uxbridge & the Durham Region

The word endodontics comes from the Greek words for inside and tooth. It is the branch of dentistry concerned with the health and treatment of the innermost layer of the tooth, the pulp, and the root canals that contain it.

To understand why root canal treatment is sometimes necessary, it helps to understand what is happening inside the tooth. Beneath the hard outer layers of enamel and dentin lies the pulp, a soft tissue layer containing blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that extends from the crown of the tooth all the way to the tip of the roots. Front teeth typically have one root and one root canal. Molars have three roots and usually three or four root canals. When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, endodontic treatment is necessary to address the problem and save the tooth.

Our endodontist specializes in these procedures, bringing nearly two decades of experience, a University of Toronto affiliation, and an exclusive selection for one of Canada’s most competitive specialty training programs to every patient encounter.

Root canal treatment becomes necessary when the pulp of a tooth becomes inflamed or infected. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including:

• Deep decay that has reached the pulp layer of the tooth
• Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth over time
• A crack, chip, or fracture in the tooth
• Trauma or injury to the tooth, even without visible damage to the surface
• A dental abscess that has developed at the root of the tooth

If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, the condition will worsen. Pain can intensify, an abscess can form, and the tooth may ultimately need to be extracted. Root canal treatment stops this progression, eliminates the source of infection, and preserves the tooth so that it can continue to function normally for many years to come.

Many patients are referred to our Uxbridge practice for root canal treatment after their family dentist identifies the need during a routine examination. Others come to us because they are experiencing symptoms that concern them. Signs that may indicate the need for endodontic treatment include:

• Persistent or severe tooth pain, including pain that wakes you at night
• Sensitivity to heat or cold that lingers after the source is removed
• Tenderness or pain when biting or chewing
• Tooth discolouration, particularly a darkening of the affected tooth
• Swelling or tenderness in the gum tissue surrounding the tooth
• A pimple-like bump on the gum near the affected tooth
• Swelling in the jaw, face, or lymph nodes in the neck
• A tooth that feels loose without an obvious cause

It is worth noting that in some cases there are no noticeable symptoms at all, and the need for root canal treatment is identified only through a dental x-ray. This is one of the most important reasons to maintain regular dental checkups with your family dentist.

The quality of your root canal treatment depends significantly on the skill, training, and experience of the specialist performing it. At Uxbridge Dental Specialists, endodontic procedures are performed by Dr. Hengameh Bakhtiar, a specialist with nearly 20 years of endodontic experience whose credentials reflect an extraordinary level of dedication and achievement in her field.

Dr. Bakhtiar graduated as an endodontist from Esfahan University of Medical Sciences and subsequently served as an associate professor at the Tehran Azad University of Medical Sciences for 18 years, teaching graduate and postgraduate students. She has contributed several publications to reputable academic journals and presented at multiple international conferences, with a particular focus on regenerative endodontics, an emerging field that represents the future of root canal therapy.

In Canada, Dr. Bakhtiar served as a visiting professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry and currently holds an instructor position in the Faculty’s Endodontics Preclinic Department. In 2022, she was exclusively chosen for the University of Toronto’s Dental Specialty Assessment and Training Program in Endodontics, a program that accepts only one foreign-trained endodontist per year. She has successfully completed the RCDC Fellowship examination in endodontics.

For patients in Uxbridge and Durham Region, this means your root canal treatment is performed by a specialist whose credentials and experience reflect the very highest standard available, just a short drive from home.

The root canal process is more straightforward than most patients expect, particularly in the hands of an experienced specialist. Here is what to expect at each stage.

Most patients experience some mild tenderness in the days following their root canal, which is managed comfortably with the post-operative instructions provided by our team. Many patients are surprised by how manageable the recovery is compared to their expectations.

Concern about pain or discomfort is one of the most common reasons patients delay necessary root canal treatment. We want to address that concern directly.

With appropriate local anaesthesia, a root canal performed by a skilled specialist is a manageable and well-tolerated procedure. However, for patients who experience significant dental anxiety, have difficulty achieving adequate numbness with local anaesthetic, or simply prefer not to be aware of the procedure, root canal treatment at our Uxbridge practice can be performed under sedation or complete general anaesthesia.

Two of our dentists hold certification as specialists in dental anaesthesiology, a designation held by only approximately 50 dentists in all of Canada. Whatever level of comfort you need, we are equipped and prepared to provide it. You do not have to be anxious about this procedure. We are here to make it as comfortable as possible.