What Is A Root Canal Treatment?
Also called endodontic treatment, a root canal procedure involves taking out the infected or affected pulp of the concerned tooth followed by a gentle yet detailed cleaning of the cavity, putting in a filling, and if needed, placing a dental crown to protect the tooth.
When is a root canal procedure necessary?
Root canals should be done ASAP to avoid infections causing loss of the whole tooth.
You’ll need a root canal when tooth decay or cracks extend into the innermost structure of the tooth, known as the root canal.
Your tooth’s pulp can’t heal itself and therefore a root canal may be necessary.
Most of the time, when there is a root canal infection, you will experience pain or tooth sensitivity.
How Does Root Canal Treatment Improve Overall Dental Health?
Root canal treatment removes the infection from the tooth and allows the tooth to remain in the mouth for function and aesthetics.
If left untreated, it could further complicate the tooth’s condition, spread the decay, and leave the jaw bone vulnerable to disease. This procedure also allows patients to bypass the last resort option of extracting the entire tooth.
What Does A Root Canal Process Involve?
A root canal is usually a same-day procedure depending on where the tooth is located (back teeth may require additional sessions because of the difficulty in accessing them and complex nerve pathways and roots) or the degree of damage borne by the tooth.
Step 1: X-Rays
Our dentists will start by taking several X-rays of your teeth and the infected tooth to evaluate the depth, structure, and intricacy of the root canals.
Step 2: Anaesthesia
Anaesthetic reduces pain and discomfort to a minimum and is an essential step.
After applying topical and local anaesthesia, the dentist will gently access the root canal of the affected tooth.
Step 3: Cleaning
Cleaning the root canals thoroughly to get rid of bacteria inside the root canal.
Step 4: Filling and Crowning
The inside of the tooth will then be filled with a safe, durable, and compatible material followed by applying a suitable filling and setting a crown.
*Note: A tooth that has undergone a root canal procedure may be fragile compared to the other teeth but maintaining a rigorous dental hygiene routine (brushing, flossing, teeth-friendly diet and regular dental checks) can prolong its durability.
Cost of Root Canal And Crown
Root canals range between $850 to $1450 depending on which tooth you need worked on and how complex your situation is.
Generally, molars (teeth at the back) are more difficult to treat, and have the most number of roots, so they generally take more time to work on.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Gentle Smile Dental Studio, we focus on doing every surgery gently. Before we start the root canal, we will numb the tooth where we’re going to work on. Once numb, you should experience minimal discomfort and pain throughout the procedure.
There are four main steps: 1) X-Ray; 2) Anaesthesia; 3) Clean and 4) Fill. These four steps can be completed on the same day.
Some scenarios include severe infection that prevents a root canal from being effective. Another scenario involves having too little tooth to build a crown upon. In these cases, you might have to go for an extraction and/or implant.
If you have sensitivity when biting or reacting to hot or cold foods, then you might have infected pulp that’s causing these issues. Book an appointment with us.
A root canal costs between $850 to $1,450 depending on complexity.
Book An Appointment
+65 9321 3232
Scan the following QR code to WhatsApp us or email us with the link below.
