NW Calgary Root Canal Therapy

Sometimes, there are no signs that a tooth is unhealthy, and only by x-ray examination is a diagnosis found. At some point, however, you will likely notice one or more of the following things:

• Visible injury or swelling of the gum
• Chewing or biting pressure to a tooth causes pain
• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the source is removed
• Darkening of the tooth
• Tenderness in the gums around a tooth
• Tooth pain that interrupts sleep
• Spontaneous, throbbing tooth pain

If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend root canal therapy to treat the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is first removed, and then the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and then filled and sealed. This therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits, depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to root canal treatment or the chance of success is unfavourable, you will be informed at the time of consultation.

It is normal to experience some discomfort, including biting or chewing sensitivity after a root canal treatment. Typically, this subsides in a few weeks. Patients who have had a root canal treatment should take medications as prescribed. Recommended pain medications should be started before the freezing wears off. Since the pulp has been removed, temperature sensitivity should also subside. After a root canal treatment, a tooth always becomes weaker and is more likely to fracture. To strengthen the tooth following root canal treatment, it is almost always recommended to crown the tooth.