Our Location
Specialist Dental Group
Henry Lee Dental Surgery
Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre
3 Mount Elizabeth, #08-08, #08-10
Singapore 228510
Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Sat: 8:30 am to 1:00 pm
Closed on Sundays/Public Holidays
Clinic Phone (65) 6734 9393
Fax (65) 6733 6032
Root Canal Treatment
What are root canal treatments?
Root canal treatment saves your teeth! “Endo” is the Greek word for “inside” and “odont” is Greek for “tooth.” Endodontic treatment treats the inside of the tooth. One of the most common endodontic treatments is root canal treatment.
Inside a tooth is a soft, living tissue called the pulp (also called the “nerve”). The pulp contains blood vessels, fibers and nerves. A root canal treatment is needed when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The endodontist (root canal specialist) will remove the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully clean and shape the inside of the root canal, then fill and seal the space.
Your dentist or prosthodontist will then place a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect and restore it to full function. After restoration, the tooth continues to look, feel and function like any other tooth.
What does the procedure involve?
- Consultation and Assessment
The endodontist or dentist will examine the tooth and take an x-ray to determine whether a root canal treatment is indicated.
- Root Canal Treatment
Local anesthetic will then be administered at the site of the tooth to be treated. An opening will be made in the top of the tooth and the pulp will be cleaned from the root canals and the pulp chamber. The space will also be sterilized and shaped for filling. Biocompatible material will then be used to fill the root canal. An adhesive cement is placed to seal the root canals completely. A temporary filling will be used prior to the restoration of the tooth (e.g. using a crown)
- Restoration of the Tooth
After the endodontist or dentist is satisfied with the results of the root canal treatment, the dentist or prosthodontist will then place a foundation build up, then a crown will be placed on the root-canal-treated tooth to restore it to full function.
How much time before the whole process is completed?
The root canal treatment can be completed in one or two office visits (usually one week apart if two office visits are required). The crown preparation and cementation takes two office visits (usually one week apart, as the crown needs to be custom-made by the dental laboratory). A temporary filling or temporary crown will be placed on the root canal-treated tooth while awaiting final restorative treatment.
When will I be able to resume daily activities?
Patient can immediately resume regular activities with no restrictions. All our patients can resume normal daily activities on the same day. However, you should be careful not to chew or bite on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible.
Will I be in pain?
Most root canal procedures are performed to relieve the toothache due to inflammation or infection of the tooth pulp. Most patients do not experience discomfort during the procedure.
For the first few days after treatment, in rare cases, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with prescription medications. Please follow your endodontist’s or dentist’s instructions carefully.
How long will the effect last?
Most root canal-treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues. Further treatment (e.g. root end surgery) may be necessary. Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased for months or even years after successful treatment usually due to new decay and/or leakage problems. Often when this occurs, re-doing the endodontic procedure can save the tooth.
