Preserve or remove · Findings first
A damaged, painful, or compromised tooth does not automatically need to be removed. An examination and clinically useful records help determine whether retaining the tooth, removing it, or taking another path deserves consideration.
For current pain, swelling, injury, bleeding, or worsening symptoms: Call (403) 313-3000 during clinic hours for current urgent availability. If symptoms feel life-threatening, call 911.
01
Before you request
Four points shape the discussion before any recommendation:
The decision begins with the tooth, surrounding tissues, symptoms, and reasonable alternatives. A tooth may need further assessment before anyone can say whether it can be retained or should be removed.
Current pain, swelling, injury, bleeding, or worsening symptoms need a phone call. A planned discussion about a tooth can begin with an appointment request.
Dr. Wu provides assessment and coordinated treatment planning. If care is needed outside the clinic's scope, the team will explain the referral.
The findings, records, treatment plan, provider, follow-up, and any referred care may affect the estimate. Your plan determines coverage and direct payment.
02
Reasons people request care
Removal may enter the discussion when a tooth has extensive decay or damage, a fracture, an infection-related concern, reduced support, repeated problems, or a role in a broader treatment plan. A person may also want to compare removal with further restorative or root canal care. None of these situations determines the recommendation without an examination.
Call for current pain, swelling, injury, bleeding, a newly broken tooth, or symptoms that are getting worse. Do not wait for a routine form response.
03
What is reviewed
Dr. Wu reviews the concern, relevant health and dental history, symptoms, the tooth, nearby teeth and tissues, existing dental work, support, and bite. Records or imaging may be recommended when they are clinically useful. The goal is to understand both the tooth and the consequences of each reasonable next step.
The examination considers decay, damage, fracture, existing restorations, the tooth's roots, and how much usable structure remains.
Symptoms and findings involving the pulp, gums, bone, or nearby tissues may affect whether restorative care, root canal therapy, removal, or another assessment is considered.
The tooth's position, bite, role in chewing, and any planned replacement or other treatment may affect the decision.
Relevant health conditions, medications, and prior care can affect planning. The team should also explain who would provide each stage and whether a referral is needed.
04
A comparison, not a default
The findings decide which of these deserves discussion.
A filling, crown, or another restoration may be discussed when the findings support an appropriate repair. This page does not promise that the tooth can be restored.
When the pulp inside the tooth is injured or infected, root canal therapy and a final restoration may be considered. The condition of the remaining tooth and its support still matter.
Some findings may support monitoring, additional records, management of another condition, or a referral before a final decision is made.
Extraction may be discussed when retaining the tooth is not appropriate, when the expected trade-offs favour removal, or when the patient chooses that path after reviewing the findings, alternatives, relevant risks, and future implications.
05
Confirm before treatment
The stages below are general. The clinic confirms the plan after assessment.
Ask what the examination and records show, why removal is being recommended, which alternatives were considered, and which findings could change the plan.
The treatment plan should identify the tooth, who would provide the care, where it would occur, and whether a referral is needed.
Follow the provider's instructions about health information, medications, eating or drinking, transportation, pain management, and other preparation that applies to the approved plan. This page promotes no sedation option.
The provider should explain how the extraction site will be managed, what instructions apply afterward, how follow-up works, and which changes require a call.
Depending on the tooth and your goals, leaving the space, monitoring it, or discussing replacement may become a separate decision after the preserve-or-remove discussion.
06
After the procedure
Aftercare depends on the tooth, procedure, health information, medications, and how the site responds. The treating provider's written instructions take priority over general website information.
Canadian Dental Association and MyHealth Alberta guidance includes using gauze as directed for bleeding and avoiding actions that can disturb the blood clot, such as forceful rinsing or drinking through a straw during the period specified by the provider.
Follow the instructions from the treating provider and pharmacist. Do not change prescribed or over-the-counter medication use based on this page.
Call the treating provider about heavy or ongoing bleeding, pain that is not improving as expected, worsening swelling, fever, drainage, difficulty keeping down fluids, or another change that concerns you. If breathing or swallowing is affected, or symptoms otherwise feel life-threatening, call 911.
07
Whether a removed tooth needs replacement depends on its location, neighbouring teeth, bite, gums, bone, goals, and broader treatment plan. Possible discussions may include monitoring the space, a bridge, an implant-supported option, or another approach. The timing, providers, suitability, and fees require separate assessment.
Restorative Dentistry08
Insurance and fees
Fees depend on the examination findings, the care recommended, and the treatment you choose. Factors may include clinically useful records, the tooth's condition and position, urgent or preparatory care, the provider, site management, follow-up, referred care, and any separate replacement planning. Ask which provider and stage each estimate covers.
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
09
Who provides the care
Dr. Michael Wu is a general dentist. He provides assessment and coordinated treatment planning. If your case requires care outside the clinic's scope, the team will explain the referral and how the next steps connect.
Questions
If your question is not answered here, call the clinic and the team will answer it.
No decision can be made from appearance or symptoms alone. The condition of the tooth, pulp, roots, surrounding support, bite, reasonable restorative options, health information, and goals may affect the recommendation.
It may be one option when the findings support it. The remaining tooth structure, fracture pattern, support, restoration needs, treatment limits, and provider scope still need assessment. Neither treatment guarantees that the tooth can be retained.
Do not assume that it will. The clinic will confirm the appointment type. Examination findings, records, consent, preparation, provider scope, urgency, and referral needs may affect the sequence.
This page makes no such promise. Dr. Wu is a general dentist and provides assessment and coordinated treatment planning. If care is needed outside the clinic's scope, the team will explain the referral.
Ask which comfort and pain-management approach applies to the approved treatment plan. Do not change eating, drinking, medication, or transportation plans without instructions from the treating provider.
Call (403) 313-3000 during clinic hours for current urgent availability. If breathing or swallowing is affected, bleeding is severe, or symptoms otherwise feel life-threatening, call 911. Do not wait for a routine form response.
Request an extraction assessment to review the tooth, clinically useful records, reasonable alternatives, care roles, aftercare, and expected fees. The clinic will contact you to confirm availability. For current pain, swelling, injury, bleeding, or worsening symptoms, call during clinic hours for current urgent availability.
