What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a procedure that saves a tooth that has become severely infected or damaged. Despite its reputation, modern root canal treatment is comfortable, efficient and has a high success rate.
At Martindale Smiles, our experienced dentists use modern techniques and sedation options to make your root canal as painless and stress-free as possible, helping you keep your natural tooth for years to come.
When Is a Root Canal Needed?
A root canal is recommended when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels, becomes infected or inflamed. This can result from deep decay, repeated dental procedures on a tooth, a crack or chip, or trauma.
Signs you may need a root canal include:
- Severe tooth pain
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold
- Darkening of the tooth
- Swelling or tenderness in nearby gums
- A persistent pimple on the gums
The Root Canal Procedure
During the procedure, your dentist removes the infected pulp tissue, carefully cleans and shapes the root canals and fills them with a biocompatible material. The tooth is then sealed with a temporary filling.
A permanent crown is typically placed at a follow-up appointment to protect the tooth and restore it to full function. With proper care, a tooth treated with a root canal can last a lifetime.
Root Canal vs Tooth Extraction
When a tooth is badly infected, there are two main choices. Saving the tooth with a root canal is usually the best option, because your natural tooth keeps working the way it should.
- A root canal keeps your natural tooth, your bite and your jawbone in place.
- An extraction removes the tooth, and the gap usually needs to be replaced.
- Replacing a removed tooth may require a bridge, dentures or a dental implant, which adds cost and time.
Your dentist will examine the tooth and X-rays and explain which option makes the most sense for you.
What to Expect at Your Visit
Your comfort comes first. We use local anesthesia, and we offer sedation options for patients who feel anxious.
- 1Digital X-rays. We assess the infection and the shape of the root canals.
- 2Local anesthesia. Your tooth is numbed for complete comfort.
- 3Removal of infected pulp tissue. We clear the infection from inside the tooth.
- 4Cleaning and shaping of the root canals. We prepare the canals for filling.
- 5Filling and sealing of the tooth. We fill and seal the canals to prevent reinfection.
- 6Crown placement at a follow-up visit. We restore the tooth so it is strong and protected.
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients return to normal activities the next day. You may have mild soreness for a few days, which is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief as directed by your dentist.
- Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until the permanent crown is in place
- Keep brushing and flossing gently around the tooth
- Take medications exactly as prescribed
- Contact us if pain or swelling gets worse
- Return for your follow-up visit for the crown
Why Choose Martindale Smiles for Root Canal Therapy
- A gentle, patient-focused approach
- Modern root canal techniques
- Sedation options available
- High success rates
- Same-day emergency appointments
- Open seven days a week
- Direct insurance billing available
Related Treatments
- Dental emergencies in Northeast Calgary: fast care for severe pain and infection.
- Wisdom tooth extraction in Northeast Calgary: relief from painful or impacted wisdom teeth.
- Crowns and bridges in Northeast Calgary: protect and restore a tooth after a root canal.
Cost of Root Canal Therapy
The cost of a root canal depends on which tooth is treated, how complex the infection is and whether a crown is needed afterward. Back teeth have more canals and usually cost more than front teeth. We explain the fees and your options before we begin.
We follow the ADA Fee Guide and offer direct billing to insurance. Many plans cover part of the cost of a root canal, and coverage varies. Patients with the Canadian Dental Care Plan can find details on our CDCP page, and eligible First Nations and Inuit patients can learn more on our NIHB page. To receive a personalized quote, please contact our team.