Root canals
For a toothache, heat sensitivity or an abscess, when you would rather keep the tooth.
A root canal removes the infected nerve from inside a tooth, then cleans and seals the space. You need one when decay, a crack or a knock has reached the nerve and the choice is treat the tooth or pull it.
Any of these sound familiar?
- Pain from hot food or drink that lingers instead of fading in a few seconds.
- A throbbing toothache that wakes you at night or starts without a trigger.
- A pimple-like bump, or swelling, on the gum beside one tooth.
- A tooth that has gone dark after a knock or a deep filling.
- An X-ray at a check-up shows infection at the root tip, even with no pain yet.
Start to finish.
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01
Confirm the tooth
Dr. Malik examines the tooth and takes an X-ray to check that the nerve is the problem and the tooth is worth saving. He does root canals here himself, so there is no referral to another office.
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02
Numb the area
A root canal is done under full freezing, and the tooth is tested for numbness before Dr. Malik opens it.
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03
Clean the inside
A thin rubber sheet keeps the tooth dry. Dr. Malik makes a small opening in the top of the tooth and uses fine files to remove the nerve, bacteria and any decay, then disinfects the space.
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04
Fill and seal
The roots are filled and the opening is closed. This is usually one visit; a badly infected tooth may get a temporary filling and a second visit about a week later.
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05
Crown the tooth
A tooth without its nerve becomes dry and brittle. Most need a crown within a few weeks so they do not crack under chewing, which takes two further visits.
What it costs, and who pays.
Most dental plans cover part of a root canal, and usually part of the crown that follows. The two are billed as separate procedures, and a back tooth costs more than a front tooth because it has more roots.
Ask for a written estimateRoot canals, answered.
Does a root canal hurt?
The area is numbed first, the same as for a filling, and most people feel pressure rather than pain. The tooth is often less sore afterwards than before, because the infected nerve is gone. Some tenderness for a few days is normal.
How long does a root canal take?
Usually one visit, sometimes two about a week apart if the infection is severe. Back teeth take longer than front teeth because they have more roots to clean.
Can I just have the tooth pulled instead?
You can, but the gap lets the neighbouring teeth drift, and replacing the tooth with an implant or bridge is a bigger job than saving it. If the tooth can be saved, a root canal is usually the simpler route.
Do I really need a crown afterwards?
Usually yes, especially on a back tooth, which takes the heaviest chewing. A front tooth with a small opening can sometimes be closed with a filling alone.
