Root canals have a bad reputation, but here’s the truth: they don’t cause pain—they relieve it. When a tooth’s inner pulp becomes infected or inflamed, a root canal removes the damaged tissue, eliminates infection, and saves your natural tooth from extraction.
At Dentistry on 43, we perform comfortable root canal therapy, right here in the heart of the Peace Country. With modern techniques and sedation options available, most patients are surprised by how straightforward and pain-free the experience is.
Inside each tooth is soft tissue called pulp, which contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When this pulp becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, repeated dental procedures, cracks, or trauma, it causes significant pain and can lead to abscesses.
Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it to prevent future infection. A crown is typically placed over the tooth afterward to protect and strengthen it.
The alternative to a root canal is usually tooth extraction, which creates gaps that can lead to bone loss, shifting teeth, and the need for implants or bridges—more complex and expensive solutions than saving your natural tooth.
Contact us if you’re experiencing:
Sometimes infected teeth show no symptoms at all, which is why regular dental exams are so important. We can often spot problems before you feel pain.
Root canals typically require one or two appointments, depending on the infection’s severity and which tooth is affected.
We take scans to assess the infection's extent and see the shape of your root canals. We'll explain what we found and answer your questions about the procedure.
We numb the area completely—you shouldn't feel pain during the procedure. We place a small protective sheet (rubber dam) around the tooth to keep it dry and clean during treatment.
We create a small opening in the tooth's crown to access the infected pulp chamber.
Using specialized instruments, we remove all infected pulp tissue, clean the inside of the tooth thoroughly, and shape the root canals. This is the most important step—removing all bacteria prevents future infection.
Once cleaned, we fill the root canals with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha and seal them with adhesive cement.
Ideally, we complete your root canal and crown in the same appointment. Since root canal-treated teeth are more brittle without their pulp, placing a crown the same day provides immediate protection and restores full function right away.
In cases where you choose not to have a crown placed, we’ll seal the tooth with a temporary filling. However, we strongly recommend crowns for long-term success, as unprotected root canal-treated teeth are at much higher risk of fracture.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: root canals have an unfair reputation for being painful. The truth? The infection causes the pain, not the root canal. In fact, root canal therapy relieves pain by removing the infected tissue.
Modern anesthetics ensure you won’t feel pain during the procedure—just pressure and vibration. Many patients report that getting a root canal feels no different from getting a filling.
After the procedure, you might experience mild soreness for a few days as the area heals, but over-the-counter pain relievers typically manage any discomfort. Most patients return to normal activities the next day.
For patients with dental anxiety, we offer sedation options, including nitrous oxide and oral sedation to keep you relaxed throughout the procedure.
When faced with a severe tooth infection, you have two main options:
Root Canal Therapy
Tooth Extraction
Whenever possible, saving your natural tooth is the better choice. Root canals have a high success rate (over 95%), and treated teeth can last a lifetime with proper care.
Immediately After:
After Crown Placement:
Your root canal-treated tooth needs the same care as your other teeth:
With a crown protecting it, your root canal-treated tooth can function normally for many years—often for life.
Root canal costs vary based on which tooth is affected:
These costs include the root canal procedure but not the final crown, which typically adds $1,800-$2,000.
Most dental insurance plans cover 50-80% of root canal therapy when medically necessary. We work with most insurance providers and offer direct billing. Financing through Lendcare is available for out-of-pocket expenses.
If you’re experiencing tooth pain or have been told you need a root canal, don’t put it off. Delaying treatment allows infection to spread, increases pain, and may result in tooth loss that could have been prevented.
Modern root canal therapy is comfortable, effective, and the best way to save your natural tooth. Our team will walk you through every step and ensure you’re comfortable throughout.
Tooth pain shouldn’t control your life. Root canal therapy can eliminate your discomfort and save your tooth.
Don’t suffer needlessly—relief is just a phone call away. Call us at (780) 500-1001 or book online to schedule your evaluation.
