Root Canal Therapy in Calgary at a Glance
Quick answer: Root canal therapy treats an infected or inflamed nerve (pulp) inside a tooth. The dentist removes the damaged pulp, cleans and seals the canals, and then protects the tooth with a filling or crown. It can relieve pain and often saves a tooth that would otherwise need to be removed. Inglewood Family Dental provides root canal therapy in Calgary.
Book online or call 403-265-5888 if you have tooth pain or think you may need a root canal.
Treated early, an infected tooth can often be kept for many years with good care. If you have been searching for root canal therapy near you because of lingering pain, swelling or sensitivity, an exam and X-ray will show whether a root canal, another treatment or an extraction is the right option.
Root canal therapy is provided by Inglewood Family Dental, a family dental clinic in Calgary, Alberta, led by Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh, DDS. Our clinic is in the Inglewood community at 1420 9 Ave SE #24, Calgary, AB T2G 0T5, Canada, just east of downtown, and we welcome patients from every part of Calgary.
Understanding the Anatomy of a Tooth
The outer white layer of a tooth is enamel. Under the enamel is a harder supporting layer called dentin. In the centre is the pulp, soft tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels and runs down through the roots in narrow channels called root canals. Once a tooth is fully grown, it can survive without its pulp, which is what makes root canal therapy possible.
What Is Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside the tooth. The dentist cleans and shapes the canals, fills and seals them, and then restores the tooth with a filling or a dental crown. This removes the source of infection while keeping your natural tooth in place.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Lingering tooth pain – especially pain that throbs or wakes you at night.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold – that lasts after the hot or cold is gone.
- Pain when chewing or biting – or a tooth that feels tender to touch.
- Swollen or tender gums – or a small pimple-like bump on the gum near the tooth.
- A darkened tooth – which can be a sign of damage inside the tooth.
Some infected teeth cause no pain at all, so regular check-ups and X-rays matter. If you have facial swelling, fever or severe pain, call us promptly; see our emergency dentistry page.
What Causes Pulp Infection?
- Deep decay – a cavity that reaches the pulp.
- Cracked or chipped teeth – which let bacteria in; see our chipped tooth repair page.
- Repeated dental work – several large fillings on the same tooth.
- Injury to the tooth – a knock can damage the pulp even without a visible crack.
Keeping up with fillings for small cavities can help prevent a root canal later.
Root Canal Procedures
Most patients need a standard root canal. In some cases, your dentist may recommend or refer you for another procedure:
| Procedure | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Root canal treatment | Removes infected pulp, cleans and seals the canals, then the tooth is restored with a filling or crown. The most common option. |
| Root canal retreatment | Used when a previously treated tooth becomes infected again; the old filling material is removed and the canals are cleaned and sealed again. |
| Apicoectomy (root-end surgery) | A minor surgical procedure that removes infection at the tip of the root when standard treatment is not enough; often performed by an endodontist. |
Root Canal vs Tooth Extraction
When a tooth is badly infected, the two main options are to save it with a root canal or to remove it. Here is how they usually compare:
| Feature | Root canal | Extraction |
|---|---|---|
| Keeps your natural tooth | Yes | No |
| What comes next | Usually a crown or filling | Usually an implant, bridge or partial denture to fill the gap |
| Recovery | Tenderness for a few days | Healing of the socket over one to two weeks |
| Cost over time | Root canal plus crown | Extraction plus the cost of replacing the tooth |
Learn more about tooth extraction, dental implants and dental bridges.
Why Choose Our Clinic for Root Canal Therapy?
Gentle Approach
We numb the area well, check in with you during treatment and go at a comfortable pace.
Clear Explanations
We explain your X-rays and your options, and talk through costs before we start.
Fee-Guide Pricing
Our fees are based on the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, and we offer direct billing and financing.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
Exam and X-rays
We examine the tooth and take X-rays to see the infection and the shape of the canals.
Freezing
We numb the tooth and surrounding area with local anaesthetic.
Cleaning
We remove the infected pulp and clean and shape the root canals.
Sealing
We fill and seal the canals to help keep bacteria out.
Restoration
We place a filling, and often recommend a crown to protect the tooth.
Book Your Root Canal Consultation
Tooth pain rarely goes away on its own. Book online or call 403-265-5888 to have your tooth checked.
Benefits of Root Canal Therapy
- Can relieve pain caused by infection
- Helps save your natural tooth
- Helps stop infection from spreading
- Lets you bite and chew normally again
- Avoids the gap left by an extraction
- Treated teeth can last many years with good care
Recovery and Aftercare
- Expect some tenderness – the tooth may feel sore for a few days; your dentist can suggest ways to manage it.
- Chew carefully – avoid chewing hard foods on the tooth until it has its final filling or crown.
- Get the final restoration – back teeth in particular often need a crown to protect them from breaking.
- Keep brushing and flossing – a treated tooth can still get decay or gum problems.
- Call us – if pain or swelling gets worse after a few days, or your bite feels uneven.
How Much Does a Root Canal Cost in Calgary?
At our clinic, root canal treatment ranges from $761.19 to $1,951.90, depending on the number of canals in the tooth and how complex the treatment is. A crown or filling afterwards is a separate cost. See our root canal cost page for details.
Many insurance plans cover part of root canal treatment. We offer direct billing and can send a pre-determination to your insurer, and we accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and offer financing options. If you are comparing root canal therapy near you, ask us for an estimate at your exam.
Serving Patients Across Calgary
Looking for root canal therapy near you? Patients visit us from across Calgary, not only from Inglewood. We are a few minutes east of downtown and an easy trip from Ramsay, Erlton and South Calgary. Evening and weekend appointments can make it easier to be seen when a tooth starts hurting. Book online or call 403-265-5888.
Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Therapy
How long does it take to recover from a root canal?
Most people feel back to normal within a few days. Some tenderness and sensitivity is common at first. If pain or swelling gets worse or lasts more than a week, contact your dentist.
Is a root canal painful?
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic, so most people feel pressure rather than pain during treatment. Many patients find a root canal relieves the pain the infection was causing. The tooth may feel tender for a few days afterwards.
How many visits does a root canal take?
Many root canals are completed in one or two visits. More complex teeth, or teeth with a lot of infection, may need an extra visit. A crown, if needed, is usually placed at a later appointment.
How much does a root canal cost in Calgary?
At our clinic, root canal treatment ranges from $761.19 to $1,951.90, depending on the number of canals and how complex the treatment is. A crown or filling is a separate cost. Many insurance plans cover part of the cost, and we offer direct billing.
Can a root canal save my tooth for good?
A root canal can often save a tooth for many years. How long it lasts depends on how much healthy tooth is left, whether it gets a crown, and how well you care for your teeth and gums. Regular check-ups help us spot any problems early.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Often, yes, especially for back teeth, which take most of the chewing force and can become brittle after treatment. Your dentist will recommend a crown or a filling depending on how much of the tooth is left.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh, DDS — Last reviewed: October 2026.