Endodontic Specialist

Root canal treatment is the cornerstone of what Dr. Arezu Hanson, DDS, M.Sc., FRCD(C), does every day at Endodontic Specialist in Thorold. Trained at the University of Toronto and in private endodontic practice in the Niagara Region since 2006, Dr. Hanson performs every root canal procedure under a dental operating microscope — not just for complex cases, but as a non-negotiable standard of care for all patients. Digital radiography guides each step with high-resolution imaging, and the Dentapen computer-controlled anesthetic delivery system ensures a comfortable, low-anxiety freezing experience from start to finish. Patients referred to Endodontic Specialist can expect a thorough, unhurried appointment focused entirely on saving their natural tooth. Under ideal treatment conditions, Dr. Hanson achieves healing rates of 95% or higher — a reflection of the specialist-level precision, advanced instrumentation, and exclusive endodontic focus that sets this practice apart from general dental offices throughout the Niagara Region. Every case benefits from the same rigorous technique whether it involves a straightforward molar or a tooth with complex root canal anatomy.

When a tooth has not healed following conventional root canal treatment, or when anatomy prevents access through the crown, Dr. Arezu Hanson offers surgical endodontic solutions including apicoectomy — also known as root-end resection. This microsurgical procedure involves accessing the root tip through a small incision in the gum, removing the affected root end, and sealing it with a biocompatible material. Dr. Hanson performs every surgical case under the dental operating microscope, giving her the magnification and illumination needed to work with precision at the root apex, paired with ultrasonic instrumentation to prepare the root-end cavity with accuracy that hand instruments simply cannot match. For Niagara Region patients who have been told a tooth may need to be extracted after a failed root canal, surgical endodontics often provides a viable path to saving it. Dr. Hanson's University of Toronto specialty training and nearly two decades of focused endodontic practice since 2006 mean she approaches each surgical case with a deep understanding of the anatomy and the clinical judgment to determine when surgery offers the best prognosis. The goal is always the same — preserve the natural tooth, restore health to the surrounding tissues, and achieve the 95%-plus healing rates that define this practice's outcomes.

Endodontic Specialist provides formal case assessment consultations for patients and referring general dentists across the Niagara Region who need a specialist's opinion before committing to a treatment plan. Dr. Arezu Hanson, DDS, M.Sc., FRCD(C), applies the American Association of Endodontists' case difficulty framework to evaluate anatomical complexity, root curvature, canal calcification, patient medical history, and other risk factors that could affect outcomes. Digital radiography performed in-office gives Dr. Hanson the high-resolution images she needs to make a thorough, well-informed assessment, and the dental operating microscope can be used during the clinical examination when a closer look at the tooth is warranted. This service is especially valuable for general dentists who want to determine whether a case falls within their scope before attempting treatment, as well as for patients who have received conflicting opinions and are seeking clarity. Having practiced exclusively in endodontics in Thorold since 2006, Dr. Hanson brings a specialist perspective shaped by the University of Toronto and years of complex case management. Her assessments give both dentists and patients the confidence to proceed with an informed, evidence-based treatment decision — whether that means treatment at Endodontic Specialist, a collaborative approach, or a revised plan altogether.

Regenerative endodontic procedures represent one of the most exciting frontiers in modern dentistry, and Dr. Arezu Hanson offers this service to younger patients in the Niagara Region whose teeth still have incompletely formed roots. These biologically based treatments work with the body's natural healing capacity to encourage continued root development and, where possible, preserve or restore pulp vitality in immature permanent teeth. Dr. Hanson's specialty training at the University of Toronto and her ongoing commitment to evidence-based practice keep her current with the latest regenerative protocols, ensuring that pediatric and adolescent patients at Endodontic Specialist receive care aligned with the highest clinical standards. Preserving an immature tooth through regenerative endodontics rather than resorting to extraction or a conventional root canal can dramatically improve a young patient's long-term dental health. A tooth that is allowed to finish root development gains strength, improved canal wall thickness, and better resistance to fracture over a lifetime. Dr. Hanson takes time to explain the process clearly to both patients and their families, and she works closely with referring dentists throughout the Niagara Region to coordinate care for these cases. The dental operating microscope, digital radiography, and precise Dentapen anesthetic delivery make the procedure as accurate and comfortable as possible for younger patients.

Digital radiography is an integral part of the diagnostic and treatment workflow at Endodontic Specialist in Thorold. Compared to traditional film X-rays, digital sensors produce images instantly with significantly enhanced resolution and contrast, and Dr. Arezu Hanson can manipulate those images — adjusting brightness, measuring root lengths, and examining canal anatomy in detail — using specialized software directly at chairside. A major advantage for Niagara Region patients is the reduction in radiation exposure: digital radiography delivers up to 90% less radiation than conventional X-ray film, making the process safer, especially for patients who require multiple images throughout the course of their treatment. Accurate radiographic interpretation is essential to endodontic success, and Dr. Hanson's University of Toronto training has given her the expertise to extract maximum diagnostic value from every image. Digital X-rays allow her to identify the number and curvature of root canals, detect periapical pathology, monitor healing over time, and spot subtle findings that could be missed on lower-quality images. When paired with clinical examination under the dental operating microscope, digital radiography helps ensure that every patient receives a diagnosis grounded in the most complete clinical picture available — a standard that has defined Endodontic Specialist since the practice opened in 2006.

The dental operating microscope is not a tool reserved for difficult cases at Endodontic Specialist — it is used on every single patient, every time. Dr. Arezu Hanson, DDS, M.Sc., FRCD(C), considers the microscope the true standard of care in modern endodontics, and her University of Toronto specialty training reinforced that philosophy. With powerful magnification and co-axial illumination, the microscope allows her to see the full root canal system in extraordinary detail — locating extra canals, navigating calcified or curved anatomy, detecting cracks invisible to the naked eye, and confirming that the canal is fully cleaned and sealed before the procedure is complete. For patients across the Niagara Region seeking specialist endodontic care in Thorold, this commitment to microscope-guided treatment translates into measurably better outcomes and fewer surprises. The level of precision the microscope enables is a direct contributor to the 95%-plus healing rates Dr. Hanson achieves under ideal conditions. Since opening Endodontic Specialist in 2006, she has built her entire clinical protocol around the microscope — not as a marketing point, but because the evidence clearly shows it produces superior results. Patients can take comfort knowing that no matter how routine or complex their case appears, it receives the same rigorous, magnified attention.

One of the most common fears patients bring to Endodontic Specialist is anxiety about needles and the discomfort of getting frozen — and the Dentapen computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery system directly addresses that concern. Unlike a conventional syringe, the Dentapen uses a slim, pen-like handpiece that is less visually intimidating and deposits anesthetic at a precisely controlled flow rate determined by the system's computer. It is this controlled, slow delivery that prevents the stinging and pressure patients typically associate with dental injections, making the freezing process far more comfortable right from the start of the appointment. The Dentapen also enables more targeted anesthesia compared to traditional block injections, allowing Dr. Arezu Hanson to numb specific teeth rather than an entire side of the face. This means patients experience less residual numbness after their appointment — a welcome benefit for those who need to return to work or care for their families the same day. Since 2006, Dr. Hanson has incorporated patient comfort technology into every step of the Endodontic Specialist experience, and the Dentapen is central to that philosophy. Combined with her calm chairside manner and clear communication, it helps ensure that even anxious patients in the Niagara Region feel genuinely at ease throughout their root canal treatment.

Ultrasonic instrumentation is woven into nearly every procedure at Endodontic Specialist, and for good reason — it brings a level of precision to root canal treatment and endodontic surgery that hand instruments and rotary files alone cannot achieve. In non-surgical cases, ultrasonics help Dr. Arezu Hanson remove calcified material, locate hidden or blocked canal orifices, and ensure thorough irrigation and debridement of the entire root canal system. In surgical procedures like apicoectomy, ultrasonic tips are used to prepare the root-end cavity with a clean, precise cut that improves the seal and healing outcomes compared to traditional micro-mirrors and hand techniques. For Niagara Region patients at Endodontic Specialist, the use of ultrasonics is part of a broader commitment to integrating the best available technology into every case. Dr. Hanson's specialty training at the University of Toronto and her nearly two decades of focused endodontic practice since 2006 give her the clinical expertise to deploy ultrasonic instrumentation effectively and safely across the full range of endodontic procedures. When combined with the dental operating microscope, digital radiography, and the Dentapen anesthetic system, ultrasonic endodontics contributes to the consistently high healing rates the practice achieves — and to the goal of giving every referred patient the best possible chance of keeping their natural tooth.