We think it’s safe to say that all of us had some treatments done on our teeth. Sometimes when we have deep cavities or decay, unfortunately, it may even come to tooth extraction. Most of the time, however, your dentist is going to suggest a more preferable option for a damaged toot – an endodontic treatment, or more commonly referred to as root canal treatment.
During a root canal treatment in Singapore, the damaged tissue from the inside of the tooth (pulp) is removed, disinfected and ultimately the tooth will be saved. It will also prevent further infection to the root, prevent gum disease, and ultimately – tooth restoration. This way you won’t need a whole extraction. During a root canal procedure, the dentist will remove the infected pulp tissue and disinfect the inside of the tooth very carefully.
In this article we’re going to talk in detail about root canal treatment in Singapore – what can you expect during the procedure, benefits of a root canal, and costs you can expect. We hope this article is helpful!
What is root canal treatment?
To understand what root canal treatment is, it’s important to first understand the parts of the tooth. As Dentaleh explains, the tooth has two basic parts – the crown and the root. The crown is the part we see above the gum, and the root is what attaches the tooth. Inside the crown and the root, there is a part called a ‘pulp’. The pulp is situated in the pulp chamber – where the nerves and blood vessels are. Inside the dental pulp, there is the nerve tissue that makes you feel pain when there’s inflammation in the tooth. The pulp can sometimes get inflamed and start to decay. This is when you’re going to start feeling toothache as well. It’s important to treat the inflammation as fast as possible because it can transfer to the bone and infect it as well.
So what exactly is a root canal infection treatment?
Also known as endodontic treatment, the root canal treatment is designed to save your tooth by removing the pulp and the source of pain. With endodontic treatment, you’re not only going to save your natural tooth but also prevent and treat any inflammation or further infection.
What happens during a root canal treatment?
The root canal treatment is usually straight-forward. Most of the time, patients only need one procedure to complete the treatment but sometimes it may require two or more sessions.
- The dentist will begin the treatment by numbing the area with local anaesthesia. This will make you feel more comfortable and will alleviate the pain.
- After that, the dentist will remove the dead pulp from the tooth. The dentist will use a special fluid to kill the bacteria within the tooth as well.
- After that, your dentist will fill the crown. First, he’s likely to use special adhesive material such as gutta-percha for a temporary filling.
Is crown necessary after a root canal?
Based on scientific research, a crown will improve the chance of the tooth surviving. It’s beneficial to do a crown for many reasons including:
- Tooth restoration: The pulp is the source of nourishment to a tooth. That’s why after removing it, the tooth may become more vulnerable. A crown will help protect the tooth for longer and prevent decay.
- Help with sensitivity: after a root canal treatment, your teeth may be more sensitive to hot or cold foods and cause slight pain. A crown will help with that and will protect the nerves that cause pain.
- Prevent further infection: The crown will help protect the surface of the tooth from further infection by sealing off the tooth and prevent bacteria to reoccur back.
Is root canal painful?
Many endodontic procedures are aimed at relieving the pain coming from the inflamed pulp. Using modern anesthetics and analgesic techniques, patients won’t feel pain or discomfort during the procedure.
During the first few days after the manipulation, it is possible to feel sensitivity in your tooth, especially if the tooth has been painful and inflamed before. This discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter or over-the-counter medications. Therefore, follow your dentist’s recommendations carefully.
How long does a root canal take?
Depending on the severity of the infection, the whole root canal treatment can take anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes. A lot of the time it takes around 90 minutes.
The length of a root canal treatment also depends on the tooth to be treated. For root canal on a molar, it can take more than an hour because they are at the back of the mouth and have more than one root canals. For the front teeth, it can take around 45 minutes because they have only one canal.
It will also depend on whether or not you get a crown at the same appointment. If you do, it may take an hour more.
Why is a root canal done in two visits?
In some milder cases, root canal treatment is performed in one visit. More often, however, there is a need for 2-3.4 visits and a follow-up period. Each case has its own individuality and must be assessed on the spot by the dentist. Most of the time it may require two visits – one for the root canal treatment and another for the filling and the crown.
Finding the best dentist to do your root canal in Singapore
Sometimes having many options for good root canal specialists can make it hard to choose. Every dentist in Singapore can perform root canals treatment but if you think your case might be more complex, it’s a good idea to look for an endodontist (root canal specialist). We suggest that you look for suggestions online or ask members of your family or friends for suggestions. They will probably know a good dentist.
How much does a root canal cost Singapore?
The overall root canal cost in Singapore can vary depending on several factors. One important factor in the cost for root canal treatment is whether you’re seeing a specialist or not. If you go to an endodontist, the procedure is likely to be more expensive. They will be more experienced than a non-specialist and may be a better option if your case is more complex.
Another important factor is the tooth location. The cost for a root canal on molars and premolars will be higher than the teeth at the front of the mouth, for example. That’s because molars and premolars have more root canals than the front teeth and the canals they have are often complex to work on.
The final cost will also depend on whether you need a root canal and crown or not. If you need any follow-up treatments such as X-rays that also may add up to the final cost.
That being said, the cost of a root canal treatment in Singapore might be anywhere between 150$ to 1000$.
Can Medisave be used for root canal treatment?
Unfortunately, Medisave doesn’t cover a root canal treatment because it’s not a surgical procedure. There are some options for subsidies, however. You should ask your dental clinic for more information on that.
Final Thoughts
Teeth health is very important not only for our overall health but also for our confidence. That’s why our teeth need attention and care. Probably all of us have to deal with some kind of tooth infection that needed special treatment. Sometimes it may even come to tooth extraction but our dentists want to avoid that as much as we do. That’s why they opt for root canal treatment.