Root Canal Treatment Singapore
What is a root canal and when is it needed?
Quick answer: A root canal treatment is a procedure used to save a tooth that has become severely decayed or infected. It involves removing the damaged pulp from inside the tooth to prevent further issues. Neo Smiles Dental Studio provides this service at our Bedok, Bishan, and Serangoon clinics.
A root canal is a procedure performed to save a tooth that has become severely decayed or infected. Inside every tooth is a soft tissue called the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When this pulp becomes damaged or inflamed, it can lead to discomfort and infection.
You may require a root canal if you experience the following symptoms:
- Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Swelling or tenderness in the gums near the tooth
- A persistent ache in the tooth or jaw
Common causes for the need for this treatment include deep tooth decay, a cracked tooth, or trauma to the tooth that allows bacteria to reach the pulp.
The root canal procedure: what to expect
The goal of the procedure is to remove the infected pulp, clean the area, and seal the tooth to prevent re-infection. While every case is unique, the process generally follows these steps:
- Local anaesthetic: To ensure your comfort, a local anaesthetic is applied to numb the area around the tooth.
- Accessing the pulp: A small opening is made through the top of the tooth to reach the pulp chamber.
- Cleaning and shaping: The dentist removes the damaged pulp and uses specialised instruments to clean and shape the root canals.
- Sealing the canals: The cleaned canals are filled and sealed with a biocompatible material.
Depending on the complexity of the case, the treatment may be completed in a single visit or may require multiple appointments. Once the root canal is complete, the tooth is often more fragile, so a dental crown is typically recommended to protect and strengthen it.
Will the procedure be painful?
Many people feel anxious about the term ‘root canal’, but modern dental techniques make the procedure much more comfortable than people expect. Because the procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, you should not feel pain during the treatment itself. Many patients find the experience to be very similar to having a standard dental filling.
After the anaesthetic wears off, you may experience some mild tenderness or sensitivity in the area for a few days. This is a normal part of the healing process and can usually be managed with standard care.
Recovery and aftercare
Most people can return to their normal daily activities immediately after the appointment. To support your recovery, we recommend the following:
- Protect the tooth: Avoid chewing hard or crunchy foods on the treated tooth until it has been fully restored with a permanent filling or crown.
- Maintain oral hygiene: Continue to brush and floss regularly to keep the area clean.
- Follow-up appointments: Attend any scheduled follow-up visits to ensure the tooth is healing as expected and to complete the restoration process.
Root canal vs tooth extraction
When a tooth is severely damaged, you may face a choice between a root canal or an extraction. At Neo Smiles, our priority is to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. Keeping your original tooth helps maintain your natural bite, prevents adjacent teeth from shifting, and preserves the structure of your jawbone.
If an infected tooth is left untreated, the infection can spread to the surrounding bone and tissues, and the tooth may eventually become unsavable, necessitating an extraction. A root canal is a way to resolve the infection while keeping the tooth in place.
Root canal treatment at Neo Smiles Dental Studio
At Neo Smiles Dental Studio, we provide root canal treatments across our three branches in Singapore: Bedok, Bishan, and Serangoon. All our dentists are registered with the Singapore Dental Council (SDC), ensuring you receive professional care in a warm and welcoming environment.
Because every tooth and every infection is different, the specific approach and number of visits required will depend on your individual case. We recommend booking a consultation to discuss your symptoms and determine the most appropriate course of action for you.
Please note: A clinical consultation is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and determine the specific treatment plan that applies to your situation.
Book a consultation
Neo Smiles Dental Studio provides root canal treatment at our Bedok, Bishan and Serangoon clinics.
Written by Dr Pramilah Streram, General Dentist at Neo Smiles Dental Studio.
