Tooth pain assessment · Call first

Root canal assessment and treatment in Calgary

Tooth pain has several possible causes. Call (403) 313-3000 during clinic hours for current urgent availability. An examination is needed to determine whether root canal therapy, another treatment, a stabilising step, monitoring, extraction assessment, or referral may be appropriate. If symptoms feel life-threatening, call 911.

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This page is a call-first path. Do not wait for a routine form response for pain, swelling, injury, or bleeding.

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Pain, swelling, injury, something broken, or a lost filling or crown?

For current pain, swelling, injury, bleeding, or worsening symptoms, call (403) 313-3000 during clinic hours for current urgent availability. If swelling affects breathing or swallowing, or symptoms otherwise feel life-threatening, call 911.

Call (403) 313-3000 View Emergency Dentistry

Before you call

What to know when root canal therapy is being considered

Four points shape the discussion before any treatment is recommended:

Pain does not confirm the diagnosis

Tooth pain, sensitivity, discomfort with biting, swelling, or a change around a tooth can have more than one cause. Some pulp problems may also be found through examination or records before symptoms become obvious.

Root canal therapy treats tissue inside the tooth

The Canadian Dental Association describes treatment as removing infected, injured, or dead pulp, then cleaning, shaping, filling, and sealing the root canal system.

The tooth still needs a restoration decision

After root canal treatment, a permanent filling, crown, or another restorative plan may be considered based on the tooth and remaining structure.

Care may involve an endodontist

Dr. Wu provides assessment and coordinated planning. If the case requires care outside the clinic's scope, the team will explain the referral.

What to tell the team

Call about pain, swelling, or a change in the tooth

Tell the team what you feel, where it is, when it started, and whether it is changing. You do not need to decide whether the problem is a root canal.

Reasons to call

01Tooth pain that is new, increasing, persistent, or interfering with normal activity.
02Sensitivity that lingers or has changed from the tooth's usual response.
03Pain or pressure when biting or chewing.
04Swelling in the gum, mouth, face, tongue, or throat.
05A cracked, broken, deeply restored, or injured tooth.
06Another unexplained change around a tooth that concerns you.

If swelling affects breathing or swallowing, or symptoms otherwise feel life-threatening, call 911.

What is reviewed

The findings determine whether root canal therapy fits

Dr. Wu reviews the history of the concern, symptoms, tooth, existing restorations, nearby tissues, and bite. Clinical tests, records, or imaging may be recommended when useful. The assessment is designed to identify the likely source of the problem and whether the tooth is suitable for the treatment being considered.

Pulp and root findings

The Canadian Dental Association explains that deep decay, cracks, trauma, or problems around an existing filling can allow the pulp inside a tooth to become injured or infected. Examination and records help distinguish this from other possible sources of pain.

Condition of the remaining tooth

The amount and strength of the remaining structure, fractures, existing restorations, gum and bone support, and bite may affect whether root canal therapy and a final restoration can be considered.

Urgent needs

Swelling, injury, bleeding, or severe symptoms may change the immediate priority. The first step may be urgent assessment, stabilisation, medical escalation, treatment, or referral.

Reasonable options

Depending on the findings, the discussion may include root canal therapy, restorative care, monitoring, extraction, or referral. This page does not promise that the tooth can be retained.

Source: Canadian Dental Association and Canadian Academy of Endodontics, Root Canal Treatment; Canadian Dental Association, Dental Emergencies

Confirm before treatment

If root canal therapy is recommended, confirm the plan

The stages below are general. The clinic confirms provider, sequence, and restoration plan after assessment.

Review the diagnosis and alternatives

Ask what the examination and records show, why root canal therapy is being considered, what reasonable alternatives exist, and which findings could change the plan.

Confirm the provider and treatment sequence

The clinic should explain whether treatment is planned with Dr. Wu or another provider, which records are needed, how urgent concerns are handled, and when the final restoration will be considered.

Treat the root canal system

The Canadian Dental Association describes root canal therapy as accessing the root canal system, removing injured or infected pulp, cleaning and shaping the canals, then filling and sealing them.

Seal the opening and plan the restoration

The opening may be sealed with a temporary or permanent restoration as part of the approved plan. A separate final restoration decision may still be required.

Follow the individual care instructions

The treating dentist or endodontist will explain what to expect, how to care for the tooth, which restoration or follow-up is needed, and which symptoms should prompt a call.

Source: Canadian Dental Association and Canadian Academy of Endodontics, Root Canal Treatment

A comparison, not a default

Compare the purpose, limits, and alternatives

The findings decide which of these deserves discussion.

Root canal therapy

When appropriate, root canal therapy addresses injured or infected pulp inside the tooth. The remaining tooth must still be assessed for restoration and ongoing care. Treatment does not guarantee that the tooth can be retained.

Extraction

Removal may be discussed when root canal treatment is not appropriate, the tooth is not suitable for the required restoration, or the visitor chooses that path after reviewing the findings and trade-offs. Replacement of the missing tooth may create a separate decision.

Another diagnosis or treatment

Pain may come from a different dental or non-dental source. The findings may point to restorative care, gum-related care, monitoring, medical evaluation, or another referral instead of root canal therapy.

Endodontist referral

An endodontist may be recommended for a complex diagnosis, anatomy, treatment, retreatment, or another situation outside the clinic's confirmed scope. No specific referral category is promised.

Treatment and restoration are separate stages.

The Canadian Dental Association explains that a tooth needs an appropriate restoration after root canal treatment. A permanent filling, crown, or another plan may be considered, depending on the tooth, its location, remaining structure, bite, existing restoration, and other findings. Ask who provides the root canal treatment, who provides the final restoration, what happens between those stages, and which fees are included in each estimate.

Dental Crowns

Insurance and fees

Ask what each estimate and stage includes.

Fees depend on the examination findings, the care recommended, and the treatment you choose. Factors may include the tooth involved, records or imaging, complexity, urgent or stabilising care, provider, root canal treatment, temporary or permanent sealing, final restoration, follow-up, and referred care. Ask whether separate providers or stages have separate estimates.

We can help submit eligible claims or estimates. Your plan determines coverage, limits, deductibles, exclusions, alternate-benefit rules, and whether the insurer pays the clinic directly. You are responsible for any amount not paid by your plan.

How Insurance and Fees Work

Who provides the care

Confirm the provider before treatment begins.

Dr. Michael Wu is a general dentist. He provides assessment and coordinated treatment planning. A dentist with advanced specialty training in this area is called an endodontist and may be involved when appropriate. If your case requires care outside the clinic's scope, the team will explain the referral and how treatment and final restoration connect.

About Dr. Michael Wu

Questions

Commonly Asked Questions

If your question is not answered here, call the clinic and the team will answer it.

01Does tooth pain mean I need a root canal?

Not necessarily. Tooth pain has several possible causes. An examination, clinical tests, and records when useful help identify the source and appropriate options.

02Can root canal therapy save the tooth?

03Who performs the root canal treatment?

04How many appointments does root canal treatment take?

05Will I need a crown after root canal treatment?

06What should I do if pain or swelling gets worse?

Related care

Other routes into assessment.

Emergency Dentistry

For first actions and call-first guidance about pain, swelling, injury, or a broken tooth.

Dental Crowns

For the final-restoration decision when more tooth coverage is being considered.

Tooth Extractions

For the preserve-or-remove assessment path.

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All services

Call and describe what is happening with the tooth.

Call (403) 313-3000 during clinic hours for current urgent availability. An examination is needed to identify the cause and discuss root canal therapy, another treatment, a stabilising step, extraction assessment, or referral. If symptoms feel life-threatening, call 911.

Call About Tooth Pain View Emergency Dentistry

Suite 105, Main Floor of The Bow, 500 Centre Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1S6.

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