“Just pull it out, doc.” We hear that almost every week at Burnaby South Dental. Someone comes into our Highgate clinic at 6975 Kingsway with a throbbing tooth, braced for the worst, and they’d rather lose the tooth entirely than hear the words root canal.

Here’s the thing: that reputation is about thirty years out of date. A modern root canal feels remarkably like getting a filling — and it’s usually the appointment that ends the pain, not the one that causes it. If you’ve been putting off a toothache somewhere between Highgate Village and Middlegate, this guide is for you.

What a Root Canal Actually Is

Inside every tooth is a soft core of nerves and blood vessels called the pulp. When deep decay, a crack, or an old filling lets bacteria reach that pulp, it becomes inflamed or infected — and that’s the deep, pulsing ache that keeps you up at night.

Root canal therapy simply removes the infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the canals inside the root, and seals them. The tooth stays right where it is. You keep your natural bite, your natural smile, and you avoid the bigger costs of extraction followed by an implant or bridge.

Signs You Might Need One

Not every toothache means a root canal, but book an exam promptly if you notice any of these: lingering pain after hot or cold (the kind that throbs for 30 seconds or more after that iced coffee on Kingsway), pain when biting or chewing, a tooth that’s darkened compared to its neighbours, swollen or tender gums around one tooth, or a small pimple-like bump on the gum.

A tooth that stops hurting after weeks of pain isn’t healed, either — the nerve may have died, and the infection is still there. That one surprises a lot of our patients.

“But I Heard Root Canals Hurt” — Let’s Bust Some Myths

Myth 1: Root canals are painful. With modern local anesthetic and techniques, most patients feel pressure, not pain. The majority tell us afterwards, “That was it?” The pain people remember is the infection before treatment — not the procedure.

Myth 2: It’s better to just pull the tooth. Keeping your natural tooth is almost always the better long-term choice. Extraction may seem cheaper today, but replacing a missing tooth with an implant or bridge costs significantly more later — and leaving a gap lets neighbouring teeth shift.

Myth 3: It takes forever. Most root canals at our Burnaby clinic are finished in one or two visits of about 60–90 minutes each.

Myth 4: If it doesn’t hurt, I can wait. Dental infections don’t resolve on their own. Waiting risks an abscess, swelling, and a true dental emergency.

What to Expect at Burnaby South Dental, Step by Step

First, we take an X-ray and test the tooth to confirm the diagnosis — sometimes what feels like a root canal problem is actually sensitivity or a high filling, and we’ll tell you honestly if you don’t need treatment. If you do, we numb the area thoroughly (and we don’t start until you’re fully comfortable — if you have dental anxiety, tell us; gentle care is kind of our thing). The tooth is isolated with a small protective sheet, the canals are cleaned, disinfected, and sealed, and a temporary or permanent filling goes on top. Many back teeth then need a crown to protect them long term — we’ll walk you through that and the timing.

Afterwards, expect mild tenderness for a few days, easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Most patients are back to work or school the same day.

What Does a Root Canal Cost in Burnaby?

Cost depends mostly on which tooth needs treatment — front teeth have one canal, molars have three or more, so molars cost more. Most extended health plans cover a significant portion of root canal therapy, and our front desk will help you confirm your coverage before treatment starts.

If you’re covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), good news: we’re happy to accept CDCP at Burnaby South Dental, and root canal therapy is among the services it can help with. Not sure if you qualify or how to apply? Ask us — we help patients with CDCP paperwork all the time.

Toothache Right Now? Don’t Wait

A tooth that needs a root canal rarely gets better with time — it gets more painful and more expensive. If you’re dealing with serious tooth pain in Burnaby, we keep room in our schedule for dental emergencies and we’re open Monday through Saturday, 9:30am–5:00pm.

We’re easy to reach from anywhere in South Burnaby — right on Kingsway in Highgate, minutes from Middlegate, Edmonds, and Metrotown, with transit at our doorstep.

Call us at (604) 540-6000 or book your appointment online. Your tooth — and your sleep — will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a root canal hurt?

No — with modern anesthetic, the procedure itself is comparable to getting a filling. Most discomfort people associate with root canals comes from the infection beforehand, which the treatment relieves.

How long does a root canal take?

Usually one or two visits of 60–90 minutes, depending on the tooth. Front teeth are faster; molars take longer.

Is it better to pull the tooth instead?

Almost never. Saving your natural tooth protects your bite and is usually cheaper long term than extraction plus an implant or bridge.

Does the CDCP cover root canals in Burnaby?

The Canadian Dental Care Plan can help cover root canal therapy for eligible patients. Burnaby South Dental accepts CDCP and can help you understand your coverage — call (604) 540-6000.

Do I need a crown after a root canal?

Back teeth usually do, because they take heavy chewing forces. Front teeth sometimes only need a filling. We’ll recommend what’s right for your tooth.