What Is a Root Canal? Procedure, Treatment, and Recovery

May 26, 2025

Tooth pain can make it hard to concentrate, sleep, or enjoy your day. If you’re dealing with an infected tooth or throbbing pain, your dentist may recommend a root canal.

While the term might sound intimidating, root canal treatment is a routine dental procedure that relieves pain and helps save your natural tooth.

If you’re considering this procedure, know what a root canal is, when it’s needed, how the procedure works, and what to expect during recovery.

Key Takeaways

A root canal procedure removes infected pulp and saves your natural tooth.
The treatment involves cleaning, filling, and sealing the pulp chamber.
With proper care, endodontically treated teeth can function for a lifetime.

What Is a Root Canal?

This refers to both a part of your tooth and the procedure used to treat it. The root canal is the natural cavity in the center of your tooth that contains the pulp—soft tissue made up of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. It removes infected or damaged pulp from the canals and pulp chamber to prevent tooth loss.

When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, bacteria can spread through the canals and lead to severe pain or an abscess. The procedure removes this infected material, disinfects the space, and seals the treated tooth to restore its function.

Why You Might Need a Root Canal

Root canal therapy may be needed to avoid more serious problems such as abscesses, swelling, or tooth loss. The goal is to eradicate bacteria from the root canal, relieve pain, and prevent future infections in the affected tooth.

Common Causes

Deep Decay	A deep cavity that reaches the pulp.
Cracked or Chipped Tooth	Breaks in the tooth that expose pulp to bacteria
Repeated Dental Procedures	Multiple treatments on one tooth can irritate or damage the pulp
Injury or Trauma	Even without visible cracks, impact can damage the pulp

Signs and Symptoms

Persistent Pain	Ongoing tooth pain that may radiate to other teeth or the jaw
Sensitivity to Hot/Cold	Lingering discomfort when eating or drinking
Swelling or Tenderness	Around the gums near the affected tooth
Darkening of the Tooth	Tooth may appear discoloured due to dead or dying pulp
Pimple-like Bump	A sign of infection or abscess on the gums

Step-by-Step Root Canal Procedure

Understanding the steps of an endodontic treatment can help reduce anxiety. An endodontist or general dentist typically does the treatment and may take one or two visits.

Step 1: Initial Evaluation

The dentist examines the diseased tooth and takes X-rays. This involves looking for signs of inflamed pulp or infected tissue. After careful evaluation, your dentist will give a diagnosis before doing the procedure.

Step 2: Anesthesia

Before the procedure, a local anesthetic is injected near your damaged tooth. This clinical endodontics treatment involves injecting local anesthesia to prevent pain during the dental procedure.

Step 3: Pulp Removal

Your endodontist makes a small opening in the crown of your tooth. Then, the endodontist removes the infected pulp using small instruments. This step relieves pressure and pain caused by the inflamed pulp.

Step 4: Cleaning and Shaping the Canals

Next is the disinfection of the empty pulp chamber and root canals using antibacterial solutions. The canals are moulded to prepare them for filling. Dentists use a dental dam to isolate the tooth and keep it dry and clean.

Step 5: Filling and Sealing

After cleaning the canals, the dentist will fill them with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This temporary filling is placed to protect your tooth until the final restoration.

Step 6: Final Restoration

Your dentist may advise a permanent crown to restore strength and function. In some cases, the crown is placed on your second visit. This helps protect the treated tooth and prevents it from breaking.

Need relief from tooth pain or advice on root canal treatment? Book your visit with Auburn Bay Dental—your trusted Calgary dental team.

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Pain and Anesthesia: Does It Hurt?

One of the biggest concerns patients have about root canal treatment is pain. The truth is, the procedure itself is generally no more uncomfortable than getting a regular filling.

Local anesthesia is used to numb the area, so most people feel little to no pain during the procedure. The aim is pain relief—not pain induction. Once the infected pulp is removed, the pressure and discomfort from the infection usually go away.

You may feel sensitive around the treated tooth for a few days. This tenderness is usually mild and manageable with over-the-counter medications or as prescribed by your dentist. If pain worsens or doesn’t go away, contact your dental clinic.

What to Expect After the Procedure

It’s common to feel some discomfort, swelling, or soreness for a few days after the procedure. This is part of the healing process. Your tooth may feel sensitive, especially when chewing or applying pressure.

Here are some aftercare tips:

As much as possible, do not eat until the numbness in your mouth wears off.
Eat soft foods for the first few days.
Brush and floss as you usually do to maintain good oral hygiene.
No chewing on the treated tooth until your dentist places a permanent crown.
Use cold compresses for swelling if needed.
Keep all follow-up appointments for checkups or restorations.

With proper care, your endodontically treated teeth can last just as long as natural teeth. Long-term care includes:

Regular dental visits
Monitoring for signs of reinfection
Don’t bite hard objects (like pens or ice)

Alternatives to Root Canal Treatment

In cases where the tooth cannot be saved, the alternative to root canal therapy is tooth extraction. While removing the infected tooth may seem like a quick fix, it can result in other complications.

Missing teeth can yield adjacent teeth to shift, affect chewing, and alter your bite. To replace the missing tooth, dentists may suggest a dental implant or bridge. However, these options tend to be more expensive and may involve additional surgical procedures.

Keeping your natural tooth intact with endodontic treatment is generally preferred when the tooth can be saved. It maintains the structure of your mouth, supports the health of other teeth, and avoids long-term complications.

Prevent Reinfection with Root Canal

Root canal therapy helps remove infected pulp, relieve pain, and save your natural tooth. It’s a proven and effective dental procedure that prevents the spread of tooth infection and avoids the need to have the tooth extracted.

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, sensitivity, or swelling, it could be a sign of a deeper issue. Early treatment can protect your health and your smile. Schedule a consultation with Auburn Bay Dental to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a root canal take?

The treatment takes between 90 minutes and 3 hours. Some procedures are completed in a single visit, especially for front teeth with fewer canals. Molars or teeth with complex anatomy may require two appointments—one for cleaning and shaping the canals and another for sealing and placing a permanent restoration.

Can you go to work after a root canal?

Yes, most patients can go back to work the next day after the procedure. While the procedure itself is not physically exhausting, it’s best to rest and avoid strenuous activity for the first 24 hours. Some mild soreness or numbness from the local anesthesia may linger, so listen to your body and take it easy if needed. If your job involves heavy physical labour, consider taking a day off to allow proper healing.

How much does a root canal cost?

In Canada, the average cost ranges from $500 to over $800. The final cost can vary based on factors like the type of tooth being treated (front teeth are commonly less expensive than molars), the number of canals, and whether a general dentist or endodontist performs the procedure. Additional costs may apply for treatments like a permanent crown, dental imaging, or sedation. It’s best to ask for a full cost estimate before treatment and check if your dental insurance covers root canal therapy.

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