Aster Dental Centre provides assessments for tooth pain and other concerns that may require root canal therapy. Root canal treatment may be recommended when the inside of a tooth is inflamed, infected, or damaged.
The dentist examines the tooth and may use diagnostic images and testing to confirm the cause. If treatment is appropriate, the plan and options are explained, including whether the tooth needs a final filling, crown, or other restoration afterward.
The most reliable signs that a tooth may need root canal therapy include a persistent, deep toothache that worsens at night, prolonged sensitivity to heat (lasting more than 30 seconds after the stimulus is removed), swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum near the tooth, and visible darkening of the tooth. Some infected teeth, however, cause no pain at all and are detected only on X-rays.
At Aster Dental Centre in Edmonton, the dentist takes a digital X-ray to look for infection at the root tip and tests the tooth's response to cold and pressure to confirm the diagnosis. Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable. A dental abscess left untreated spreads to surrounding bone and, in severe cases, to soft tissues of the face.
Root canal therapy at Aster Dental Centre begins with local anaesthetic. Most patients are surprised to feel little more than pressure once the anaesthetic takes effect. The dentist creates a small opening in the top of the tooth, removes the infected pulp tissue from the canals using fine rotary instruments, disinfects the canals thoroughly, fills them with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha, and seals the access opening.
Most root canals at our Edmonton clinic are completed in 1 to 2 appointments. After the root canal is complete, a crown is strongly recommended within 4 to 6 weeks to protect the tooth from fracture. Teeth treated with root canals become brittle over time and crack easily without a crown.
Root canal therapy at Aster Dental Centre in Edmonton ranges from $800 to $1,500 CAD depending on which tooth is being treated. Front teeth have fewer canals and cost less; molars with three or four canals are more complex and cost more. A crown placed after the root canal adds $1,100 to $2,200 CAD. Most Canadian dental plans cover root canal therapy at 50% to 80% of the eligible fee after the deductible.
Aster Dental Centre direct-bills all major insurers. The team will confirm your estimated coverage before treatment starts. 0% financing is available for patients who need help with the out-of-pocket balance.
After root canal therapy at Aster Dental Centre, most patients return to normal activities within 24 hours. Mild soreness around the treated tooth, particularly when biting down, is common for 2 to 5 days and is typically managed with over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen. The tooth is sensitive because the surrounding ligament was inflamed, not because the nerve is still present.
Dr. Bhanushali advises patients to avoid chewing hard foods on the treated side until the permanent crown is placed. A temporary filling covers the access opening until the crown appointment. If severe pain, significant swelling, or a reaction to the temporary filling develops before the crown appointment, call Aster Dental Centre at (780) 540-9300.
Root canal therapy at Aster Dental Centre is performed under local anaesthetic, and most patients report that the procedure itself is comfortable. The pain patients associate with root canals is typically the pre-treatment infection, not the procedure. Modern rotary instruments and anaesthetic techniques have made root canals reliably comfortable. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation are available for patients with dental anxiety.
Root canal therapy at Aster Dental Centre ranges from $800 to $1,500 CAD depending on the tooth. Front teeth (fewer canals) cost less; molars cost more. Most Canadian dental plans cover root canal therapy at 50% to 80% after the deductible. The practice direct-bills all major insurers and will confirm your estimated coverage before beginning treatment. 0% financing is available for the out-of-pocket balance.
In most cases, yes. A root canal-treated tooth loses its blood supply, becomes brittle, and is at significantly increased risk of fracture without a full-coverage crown. Aster Dental Centre strongly recommends placing a crown within 4 to 6 weeks of completing root canal therapy. Back teeth especially should not be left without a crown, as fracture under biting force often leads to extraction rather than salvage.
Most root canal treatments at Aster Dental Centre are completed in 1 to 2 appointments of 60 to 90 minutes each. Single-rooted front teeth are often completed in one visit. Molars with multiple curved canals may require a second appointment to complete the cleaning and sealing process thoroughly. Dr. Bhanushali will give you an estimate at the start of the procedure.
Delaying root canal therapy allows the infection to spread. What begins as infection in the pulp can spread to the bone surrounding the tooth, forming an abscess. In severe cases, dental abscesses spread to adjacent tissues and can become a medical emergency requiring hospital treatment. Delaying treatment also increases the chance that the tooth becomes unsalvageable, making extraction the only option.
Yes. Aster Dental Centre direct-bills Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, Alberta Blue Cross, and all other major Canadian insurers for root canal therapy. Most plans cover 50% to 80% of endodontic treatment after the deductible. The practice can run a predetermination so you know your exact out-of-pocket cost before agreeing to treatment.
Contact Aster Dental Centre to discuss root canal therapy in Edmonton. The team can answer booking questions and arrange the next suitable appointment.
For patient education about what root canal therapy may involve, when it may be considered, and questions to ask, visit the matching Treatment Guide.
Learn about the treatmentSee all Dental Treatments or browse Dental Services.
Open 7 days — same-day appointments available.
4.8 stars from 631 Google reviews
Mon–Thu: 10 am – 7:30 pm
Fri: 9 am – 6 pm
Sat: 9 am – 5 pm
Sun: 10 am – 4 pm
We direct-bill Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, Green Shield, Alberta Blue Cross, and all major Canadian plans.
CDCP & NIHB provider.