NW Calgary Root Canal Therapy

Root canal treatment is used to save teeth from extraction by removing the nerve inside the tooth (known as the pulp) when it is diseased or dying. Unfortunately, teeth are not able to heal on their own when there is disease or trauma caused to the nerve. Root canal therapy is a crucial dental treatment used to save teeth that are diseased, infected, fractured, or have become non-vital over time, reducing the need for extraction. If left untreated, an infected, decayed or damaged tooth can cause severe pain and discomfort, an abscess, or potentially the loss of the tooth.

Signs of an infected tooth are not always identified right away. As the infection begins to progress, you may notice one [or more] of the following signs:

• Pressure in the area of the infected tooth that causes a sharp pain when biting
• The tooth becomes reactive to hot or cold food and beverages and the pain lingers long after the source is removed.
• The tooth begins to slowly darken, indicating the nerve is damaged or dying.
• Pain and tenderness in your gums becomes more frequent and severe
• Tooth pain wakes you up in the middle of the night and affects the quality of your sleep.
• Spontaneous, throbbing tooth pain is not relieved using over-the-counter pain medications.

Saving your natural teeth is always the first option we consider at Point McKay Dental. There are times however, when root canal therapy is not the best solution for your needs and an extraction is the best course of action. When your tooth cannot be saved with root canal therapy, the need for a tooth extraction to relieve your pain becomes necessary. We will plan your treatment to replace the missing tooth with a dental implant, dental bridge, or partial denture to restore the function of your teeth, and to prevent the neighboring teeth from shifting.