403-345-1110 info@theportdental.ca 4250 109 Ave NE #3145, Calgary, AB T3N 1Z3
Open 7 Days a Week

Root Canal Treatment in Calgary NE

A root canal treatment doesn't have to be scary. With modern techniques and local anaesthesia, root canal therapy at The Port Dental Clinic is a comfortable, routine procedure that relieves pain and saves your natural tooth.

Book Your Appointment Call 403-345-1110
Dentist using a tooth cross-section model to show infected pulp inside the root canals at The Port Dental Clinic Calgary NE
About This Service

What Is a Root Canal Treatment?

A root canal treatment (also called endodontic therapy) is a dental procedure designed to save a tooth that has become severely infected or inflamed deep within its core — the dental pulp. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, and when bacteria reach it through deep decay, cracks, or trauma, the result is often intense pain and infection.

During the procedure, we remove the infected pulp, carefully clean and disinfect the inner chambers of the tooth (the root canals), and then fill and seal the space. In most cases, we'll place a dental crown afterward to restore the tooth's full strength and function.

The goal: relieve your pain, eliminate the infection, and save your natural tooth so you don't have to lose it.

Do You Need One?

Signs You May Need Root Canal Treatment

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, the inner pulp of your tooth may be infected or damaged:

Severe, Persistent Toothache — Throbbing pain that doesn't go away, often radiating to the jaw, face, or ear.

Prolonged Sensitivity — Pain that lingers after eating hot or cold foods — not just a quick zing, but lasting discomfort.

Darkened or Discoloured Tooth — A tooth that has turned grey or dark may indicate nerve damage inside.

Swollen or Tender Gums — Swelling, pimple-like bumps on the gums, or tenderness near a specific tooth.

Pain When Biting or Touching — Sharp pain when pressure is applied to the tooth, or even when your tongue touches it.

A Cracked or Chipped Tooth — Trauma or a large crack can expose the pulp to bacteria, requiring treatment.

Ignoring these symptoms can lead to a dental abscess — a serious infection that can spread. If you're in pain, call us for a same-day appointment.

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What to Expect

The Root Canal Treatment Process at The Port Dental

A root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling. Thanks to modern anaesthesia, precision instruments, and our experienced team, most patients are surprised at how smooth the experience is.

1

Diagnosis & X-Rays

We take digital X-rays to assess the extent of infection and plan the procedure. We explain everything before we begin.

2

Numbing & Comfort

We thoroughly numb the area with local anaesthesia. With modern local anaesthetic techniques, most patients report little or no discomfort during the procedure. Sedation options are also available for nervous patients.

3

Pulp Removal & Cleaning

We access the inner chamber of the tooth, remove the infected pulp tissue, and carefully clean and shape the root canals using precision instruments.

4

Filling & Sealing

The cleaned canals are filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha and sealed to prevent reinfection.

5

Crown Placement

In most cases, a dental crown is placed over the treated tooth to restore its full strength, function, and natural appearance.

Dental X-rays of a lower molar before and after root canal treatment — the dark shadow at the root tip resolves once the canals are cleaned and sealed to the apex
X-rays of a lower molar before and after root canal retreatment. On the left, the canal is incompletely sealed and a dark shadow of infection sits at the root tip; on the right, the canals are filled to the very end of the root. Illustrative case, not a patient of this clinic. Images by Svonf, cropped and combined, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Why It Matters

Why Saving Your Natural Tooth Is Worth It

Keep Your Natural Bite — Nothing functions quite like your natural tooth. A root canal treatment preserves your bite alignment and chewing ability.

Prevent Shifting — Losing a tooth causes surrounding teeth to shift, leading to bite problems and potential jaw issues.

More Affordable — A root canal treatment with a crown is typically less expensive than extracting the tooth and replacing it with an implant or bridge.

Natural Appearance — With a crown, a treated tooth looks and feels completely natural. No one will know you had a root canal treatment.

Root Canal Treatment — Insurance & CDCP Coverage

Root canal treatment is classified as a major dental procedure and is covered by most dental insurance plans in Alberta, typically at 50-80% of the cost. As a registered CDCP provider, eligible patients may also access reduced-cost treatment. We offer direct billing so you only pay your portion upfront.

The cost of a root canal treatment depends on which tooth is affected (front teeth are less complex than molars) and the severity of the infection. We'll provide a clear treatment estimate before beginning.

Common Questions

Root Canal Treatment Questions Answered

With effective local anaesthesia, most patients report little or no pain during the procedure — many say it feels similar to getting a filling. Root canal treatment is actually intended to relieve the pain caused by the infection. Mild soreness for a few days afterwards is normal and usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
Most root canal treatments take 60-90 minutes for a single appointment, depending on the tooth and complexity. Front teeth are typically quicker, while molars (which have more root canals) may take longer. In some cases, treatment may be completed over two visits.
Without treatment, the infection will spread, potentially forming a dental abscess — a pocket of pus at the root tip. This can cause severe pain, swelling, bone loss, and in rare cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. Left untreated, you will likely lose the tooth entirely.
A properly performed root canal treatment with a well-fitted crown can be long-lasting with proper care — often many years or decades. Published studies report high success rates for root canal treatment, and good oral hygiene with regular checkups supports long-term results.
Wait until the numbness wears off (1-3 hours) to avoid biting your cheek or tongue. Then stick to soft foods for the first few days. Avoid chewing hard foods on the treated side until your permanent crown is placed. Your dentist will give you specific aftercare instructions.
Patient Reviews

What Our Patients Say

4.9
(225+ reviews)

“I recently visited Dr. Balbir Sandhu at Port Dental Care for a root canal and filling, and overall, my experience was very positive. The root canal treatment was done with great care and professionalism. I was surprised at how smooth and relatively painless the procedure felt. Dr. Sandhu was gentle, patient, and made sure I was comfortable throughout. The filling was also done neatly, and I'm satisfied with how natural it feels.”

R
Rosepreet K.
Google Review

“I recently had extensive dental work done at Port Dental with Dr. Balbir Sandhu, including two root canals, eight fillings, scaling, and polishing, and I couldn't be more satisfied with my experience! … Dr. Sandhu and his team made everything completely painless. I never felt any discomfort throughout the entire treatment. The root canal treatments were performed with great precision, the fillings were done flawlessly, and the scaling and polishing left my teeth feeling incredibly clean and refreshed.”

R
Rajender S.
Google Review

“Everyone was really nice and welcoming! They helped me with all my concerns in the past I've had dental anxiety from past dentist offices but they been really assuring and detailed :).”

L
Lauramarie M.
Google Review
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In Pain? Don't Wait — We Can Help

If you're experiencing a severe toothache, it could be an infected tooth that needs prompt treatment. Call us or book online for a same-day evaluation at our Calgary NE clinic.

Book Your Appointment Call 403-345-1110
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