Signs you may need a root canal
Some infected teeth give no pain at all and show up only on an X-ray. If you have swelling of the face, fever or difficulty swallowing, see a dentist the same day.
- Strong toothache, or pain that wakes you at night
- Pain that stays after hot or cold food or drink
- Swelling of the gum or face near a tooth
- A pimple-like bump on the gum
- A tooth that has turned dark
Done by a root canal specialist
Root canal treatment at our clinics is done by our endodontist, a dentist who specialises in root canals, who works at all our branches.
After the root canal
A tooth that has had a root canal, especially a back tooth, is weaker and can break. We usually recommend a crown to protect it. Until the final filling or crown, avoid chewing hard food on that side.
How it works at our clinic
Checkup and X-ray
We find which tooth is the problem and whether it can be saved.
Cleaning the canals
Under local anaesthetic the infected nerve is removed and the canals are cleaned. This may take one or more visits.
Sealing
The canals are filled and sealed.
Protecting the tooth
A filling and usually a crown protect the tooth for the long term.
Cost
The cost depends on your teeth and the treatment you need. After the checkup you get a plan with the exact cost, before anything is done.
Questions patients ask
Is a root canal painful?
The tooth is numbed, so the treatment itself should not be painful. Most people say the toothache before the treatment was far worse. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards is normal.
How many visits does it take?
One or more visits, depending on the tooth and the infection. We tell you at the start.
Is it better to just take the tooth out?
Saving your own tooth is usually better. A missing tooth lets the teeth around it move and replacing it costs more later. Sometimes a tooth cannot be saved, and then we explain the options.
How much does a root canal cost?
It depends on the tooth. You get the cost at the checkup, after the X-ray.