Root Canal Treatment
Restore your natural teeth without extracting and replacing it with a dental implant.
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Root Canal Treatment Explained
Root canal treatment or endodontic treatment is a procedure that is done to restore a damaged or infected tooth that is usually badly decayed, heavily filled or cracked.. The treatment helps to save teeth that would otherwise need to be removed entirely.
When bacteria penetrate deep into your tooth through decay, cracks, or defective fillings, they can cause severe infection and pain in the pulp. Instead of extracting the whole tooth and replacing it with dental implants, root canal treatment gets rid of bacteria from the infected root canal and protects the tooth from further infection. This allows you to preserve your natural tooth structure while eliminating the source of pain and infection.
After the procedure, a dental crown, dental filling, or onlay will be placed over the treated tooth. This final step is crucial because it restores the strength and durability of your tooth, allowing you to bite and chew normally.
This modern dental procedure has more than 95% success rate and can prevent the need for more extensive dental work in the future.
You might need or are suitable for root canal treatment if you have structural tooth changes that can stem from a cracked tooth, dental trauma, genetics, tooth decay, a deep cavity that is close to the pulp of the tooth or dental filling issues.
Root Canal Treatment Benefits
Eliminate and relieve severe pain and discomfort
Root canal treatment can get rid of severe pain and discomfort that you have been experiencing – immediately – while maintaining your natural tooth.
Resolve sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures immediately
Root canal treatment removes the nerve tissue inside your tooth, which is responsible for sending pain signals that causes sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
Preserve your natural tooth structure and appearance
Root canal treatment preserves the natural appearance and function of the tooth with the help of a dental crown.
Prevent the need for artificial tooth replacement options
Getting root canal treatment means no need for alternative teeth replacement treatments such as dentures, dental implants or dental bridges.
Maintain natural dentition that keeps your jawbone healthy
Root canal treatments help to maintain the natural root system which is important in keeping your jawbone healthy and preventing teeth from shifting.
Restore complete functionality to your tooth
A root canal treated tooth is restored to ensure that you are able to function normally – bite and chew – like before.
Return your ability to bite and chew normally without pain
A root canal treatment is able to provide strength comparable to a natural tooth when combined with a dental crown.
Eat without fear of cracking dental appliances
Unlike eating with dentures, dental bridges or dental implants, root canal treatment provides the strength of your natural teeth without the fear of breaking your dental appliances.
Eat your favourite foods without discomfort
Root canal treatment restores your natural tooth so that you can eat and chew as you would normally do with your own teeth.
Protect surrounding gum tissue and bone from damage
A treated root canal prevents any further infection from spreading to other teeth and tissue, halting the progression of dental decay and potential abscess formation.
Maintain overall oral and physical health
Besides keeping your oral health in shape, root canal treatment can help prevent potential systemic health issues from untreated dental infections.
Maintain aesthetic appearance of your smile
Root canal treatment does not involve removing your tooth which allows your tooth to be completely restored with a custom-made dental crown that matches the colour and shape of your other teeth.
Maintains proper teeth alignment and facial structure
Root canal treatment retains your tooth and prevents bone loss in the jaw which helps maintain proper bite and facial structure.
cost-effective and long-term dental restorative treatment
Root canal treatment can be more economical than tooth extraction followed by implant or bridge.
Can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance
A well maintained root canal treated tooth can last about 10 to 15 years while a root canal treated tooth with a dental crown can last a lifetime.
Requires no special maintenance
Root canal treatment does not require additional maintenance work beyond normal 6-monthly oral hygiene visits and regular dental care.
Root Canal Treatment at Aster Dental Specialists
If you are thinking of restoring your teeth with root canal treatment at Aster Dental Specialists, the following patient journey is an example of what happens during your appointment and treatment.
Please take note that this is just a generalised example of how a root canal treatment journey is like. Your root canal is unique and might require different treatment approaches from another.
1st Visit – Consultation and X-rays, Tooth Isolation
During the initial visit, we will perform X-rays (Periapical) to check on the root of your tooth. A pulp vitality test will also be done.
The pulp vitality test determines whether you require root canal treatment. You will also find out how severe your condition is and how extensive the root canal procedure will be. A breakdown of the treatment cost will also be provided to you during your consultation.
If you are suitable for root canal treatment, a second appointment will be arranged for your procedure.
Root canal treatment will be rendered during the initial visit itself when you have been referred to us from a dental professional or when we anticipated the need for root canal treatment based on the information or dental records provided to us, prior the appointment.
1st or 2nd Visit – Tooth Isolation, Cleaning and Shaping Root canal, Core/Filling Build-up/Temporary Filling
The tooth that is receiving root canal treatment will be singled out and isolated from the rest of your mouth. For most cases, a build-up of filling will be done to facilitate proper isolation and effective disinfection.
A soft and stretchable sheet called a rubber dam will be used to isolate the tooth properly.
This rubber dam protects your mouth from the instruments and chemicals that are used during the procedure. It also maintains a sterilized site during the entire procedure which increases the success rates of your root canal treatment.
Your root canal is cleaned and shaped once we have gained access to the root canal system. Then a high alkaline antibacterial dressing will be placed into the nicely cleaned root canals for further disinfection until your next appointment which is usually in 2 weeks. During this time, the cavity will be sealed with a hardy temporary filling.
It is normal to experience soreness and tenderness around the root canal site for a few days or up to 1 week after treatment. This is usually manageable with painkillers and/or antibiotics, if necessary.
2nd or 3rd visit - Root Canal Filling with MTA
Once we have ensured that your tooth is settling down nicely from the initial infection/pain/abscess/sinus tract/swelling, and ready for the next steps, we will then place a permanent root canal filling with a material called OrthoMTA – to seal the root canal up completely.
X-rays are usually taken again to ensure that the root canal filling is compacted adequately before discharging you from the clinic.
Follow Up Care in 3 to 6 months
When your root canal treatment procedure has been completed, a follow-up appointment will be made for you. The appointment is a 30 minute check-in to ensure that recovery is on track. X-rays will be taken during this visit to monitor the recovery of bone previously affected by the infection.
During your recovery, Slight sensitivity to pressure during chewing or on touch can commonly occur up to 3 months after treatment due to possible scarring of the previously infected tissues. The sensitivity will resolve with time. If you experience extreme pain, please contact us immediately.
Root Canal Treatment Duration
A typical root canal treatment appointment lasts about 60 to 90 minutes.
The duration is entirely dependent on how complex your root canal treatment is. In some instances, you might require two to three separate appointments to complete your root canal treatment.
Root Canal Treatment Cost in Singapore
The cost of root canal procedure per se at Aster Dental Specialists starts from $900 to $1400+.
This does not include the cost of consultation, X-rays, fillings to build-up damaged teeth, CT scans or any other additional procedures that you might require when treatment is more complicated.
Root Canal Treatment Financing
If you are thinking of heading to Aster Dental Specialists for your root canal treatment, there are a few ways you can finance your treatment.
Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
We are a CHAS-accredited clinic. It is possible to use CHAS to partially subsidise the cost of treatment at our clinic.
Medisave for Root Canal Surgery
While it is not possible to use Medisave for root canal treatments, it is possible to use Medisave for root canal surgeries.
Medisave can be used for dental treatments that are surgical in nature e.g. root canal surgery, dental implant surgery, gum surgery or even wisdom tooth surgery.
Dental, Corporate and Personal Accident Insurance
We are on multiple dental and corporate insurance panels to provide more accessible dental specialist care to you.
Note: Not all insurance covers specialist root canal treatment, certain exclusion applies.
Why should I do root canal treatment with Aster Dental Specialists?
At Aster Dental Specialists, we are dental specialists (endodontists) who have close to 20 years of experience working with simple to complex root canal treatments in a holistic manner.
Your root canal treatment will be rendered with high quality materials that are biocompatible with you, minimising the risk of systemic sensitivity in the short and long-term.
We understand that patients are generally wary about root canal treatment. The mere mention of root canal treatment can sometimes trigger anxiety and worry. We are committed to providing a fuss-free and calming root canal treatment experience to all patients at our clinic.
Every root canal treatment case is unique. We approach each case in the most detailed and careful manner, prioritizing minimal invasiveness and centering our approach on holistic endodontics – using materials that are biocompatible with you.
All of our root canal planning is based on detailed clinical examination to ensure complete safety and precision. Doing so helps us minimise potential risks and complications during treatment.
We use high-magnification dental loupes or an endodontic microscope that is able to magnify intricate root anatomy and do proper debridement and sealing to prevent further re-infection.
Root Canal Treatment Treatment FAQs
Do I need root canal treatment?
You will most likely require a root canal treatment if you are experiencing the following:
- Pain: If you are having pain or tooth sensitivity when you eat, drink, or bite down, especially on hot or cold foods.
- Swollen gums: If your gums appear red, sensitive, swollen or tender to the touch, or are bleeding easily.
- Discoloured tooth: If your tooth appears darker, grey, or even black.
- Loose tooth: If your tooth feels loose or shaky.
- Swollen jaw: If your jaw is swollen or inflamed-looking.
- Pimple on your gums: If you have a pimple-like bump on your gums.
How painful is root canal treatment?
What is the difference between a tooth extraction and a root canal treatment?
Are there any other treatment alternatives to root canal treatment?
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Am I suitable for root canal treatment?
Is root canal treatment worth it?
Can I go about with my daily activities after root canal treatment?
How common is infection after a root canal treatment?
Can a root canal treatment procedure be unsuccessful?
Ready to take the next step?
Drop us a message or contact us to find out more about your tooth restoration options.