Root Canals: What’s True and What’s a Myth?
Root canals have an undeserved reputation as one of the most frightening procedures in dentistry — but the truth is that a root canal relieves pain rather than causes it. This endodontic treatment removes infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside a tooth, cleans and seals the root canals, and saves a natural tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted. Modern techniques and local anaesthesia mean that for most patients in Calgary, a root canal feels no more uncomfortable than having a routine filling placed.
Myth #1: Root Canals Are Extremely Painful
This is the most persistent myth — and the most harmful, because fear of pain causes many patients to delay treatment until their infection becomes severe. The discomfort people associate with root canals is actually caused by the infection itself, not the procedure. The dental pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels housed in the pulp chamber and root canal system, becomes inflamed or infected due to deep decay, a cracked tooth, or repeated dental trauma. That inflammation is what hurts.
During endodontic treatment, your dentist administers local anaesthesia to fully numb the tooth and surrounding tissue. Most patients report feeling pressure but very little, if any, pain during the procedure. Post-treatment soreness is normal for a few days and is typically managed well with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen.
Myth #2: It’s Better to Just Pull the Tooth
Extracting a tooth may seem like the simpler solution, but preserving your natural tooth is almost always the better long-term choice. When a tooth is lost and not replaced, neighbouring teeth begin to shift, bone density in the jaw gradually decreases through a process called alveolar bone resorption, and your bite alignment can change — all of which lead to more complex and costly dental work down the road.
A tooth saved through root canal therapy, protected by a dental crown, can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene. At Expressions Dental in Calgary NW, the goal is always to help patients keep their natural teeth whenever clinically possible.
Myth #3: Root Canals Cause Illness
A widely shared but thoroughly debunked claim suggests that root canal treatment causes systemic illness or cancer. This idea originated from poorly conducted research done over a century ago and has been conclusively disproven by modern evidence-based dentistry. Major dental and medical organisations worldwide, including the Canadian Dental Association, affirm that root canal treatment is safe and does not contribute to disease elsewhere in the body. In fact, leaving a dental abscess or pulpal infection untreated poses a far greater risk to overall health, as oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream and affect the cardiovascular system.
What Actually Happens During a Root Canal?
Understanding the procedure itself goes a long way toward reducing anxiety. Here is what you can expect:
- Diagnosis and X-rays: Your dentist takes periapical radiographs to assess the extent of infection and the anatomy of the root canal system.
- Local anaesthesia: The area is thoroughly numbed before any treatment begins.
- Pulpectomy: The infected or necrotic pulp tissue is carefully removed from the pulp chamber and root canals using fine endodontic instruments.
- Cleaning and shaping: The canals are irrigated, typically with sodium hypochlorite, to eliminate bacteria and debris.
- Obturation: The canals are filled and sealed with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to prevent reinfection.
- Restoration: In most cases, a dental crown is placed over the tooth to restore its strength and function.
The entire process typically takes one to two appointments, depending on the complexity of the root canal anatomy and whether a dental abscess is present.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Not every toothache requires endodontic treatment, but certain symptoms warrant prompt evaluation by a licensed dentist:
- Severe, persistent tooth pain, especially when biting or applying pressure
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures after the stimulus is removed
- Darkening or discolouration of the tooth
- A recurring pimple or swelling on the gum (which may indicate a dental abscess or periapical abscess)
- Swelling in the jaw, face, or neck
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in Calgary NW or the surrounding area, do not wait — infections do not resolve on their own and can worsen quickly.
Book Your Consultation at Expressions Dental in Calgary
If you have tooth pain, sensitivity, or concerns about a possible infection, the licensed dental team at Expressions Dental is here to help. We take time to explain every step of your treatment so you feel informed and comfortable throughout the process. Book your appointment online at expressionsdental.ca or call our Calgary NW clinic today — your natural smile is worth saving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are root canals really as painful as people say?
No — this is one of the most common dental myths. Root canal treatment is performed under local anaesthesia, so most patients feel little to no pain during the procedure. The pain people associate with root canals is actually caused by the underlying infection or inflamed dental pulp, which the treatment resolves.
How do I know if I need a root canal or just a filling?
A filling is appropriate when tooth decay is limited to the outer layers of the tooth — the enamel and dentine. A root canal is needed when decay, trauma, or a crack has allowed bacteria to reach the dental pulp, causing infection or irreversible pulpitis. A licensed dentist can determine which treatment is right for you after an examination and X-rays.
How long does a root canal take at a Calgary dental clinic?
Most root canals can be completed in one to two appointments, each lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes. The number of appointments depends on the complexity of the tooth's root canal anatomy and whether an active dental abscess needs to be managed first.
Is it better to get a root canal or just have the tooth pulled?
In most cases, saving the natural tooth through root canal therapy is the better long-term option. Tooth extraction can lead to bone loss in the jaw, shifting of neighbouring teeth, and bite problems — issues that often require more extensive treatment, such as a dental implant or bridge, to correct.
What happens after a root canal — do I need a crown?
In most cases, yes. After root canal treatment, the tooth becomes more brittle because it no longer has a living pulp supplying nutrients. A dental crown is typically placed over the treated tooth to restore its strength, protect it from fracture, and allow normal chewing function. Your dentist at Expressions Dental will advise whether a crown is recommended for your specific tooth.
Can a root canal fail, and what happens if it does?
Root canal treatment has a high success rate, but in some cases a tooth can become reinfected due to a missed canal, a crack in the root, or breakdown of the seal over time. If this occurs, retreatment endodontics — where the tooth is reopened, cleaned again, and resealed — is often possible. In more complex cases, a minor surgical procedure called an apicoectomy may be recommended.
Is it safe to delay a root canal if I'm not in much pain right now?
Delaying treatment is not recommended, even if your pain has subsided. A reduction in pain can actually mean the pulp tissue has become necrotic (died), but the bacterial infection is still present and may be spreading toward the surrounding bone. Untreated dental infections can develop into a serious periapical abscess and, in rare cases, spread to other areas of the body — prompt care at a Calgary dental clinic is always the safer choice.