Downtown Calgary Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is a dental procedure performed on a diseased or injured tooth, to save the tooth from extraction. When the inner tissue of the tooth (the pulp) becomes infected or dies, a root canal may be able to save the tooth from extraction. Either from a fracture, a crack in the tooth, a cavity, or injury to the root, if a tooth is injured, it cannot heal itself. Therefore, if the infected or dead pulp remains untreated, it can result in extreme pain which could ultimately lead to a dental abscess or possible tooth loss.

• The tooth is sensitive to cold and hot
• The tooth hurts when biting
• There is throbbing and/or severe tooth pain
• The area is swollen
• You have a bad taste in your mouth
• Sometimes there are no noticeable or obvious symptoms that indicate there is a problem. Only regular dental visits and digital X-rays (as well as the professional eye of a dentist) can reveal an underlying problem

The first step is administering local anesthetic to the affected tooth and the area surrounding it, to make sure that you remain comfortable and completely pain-free throughout the procedure. Next, an isolation barrier will be placed around the tooth to keep it free from any bacteria from your saliva. A canal will then be created in the affected tooth to remove the inflamed or infected pulp, and the center of the tooth will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly. Finally, the cleaned canal will be filled and sealed. Following healing, a crown or another restoration will be placed on the tooth to protect it and restore it to full function. After a root canal, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth and must be maintained as such.