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.
When you might need this
- 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.
What happens
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.
Numb the area
We numb the area properly and check it has taken before starting. If you are anxious, nitrous oxide through a small nose mask takes the edge off, and we stop if you need a break.
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.
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.
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.
Cost and insurance
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. We bill your insurance directly. You see the estimate in writing before anything starts. No insurance? We tell you the cost up front.
Questions people ask
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.
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Book a visit
A toothache that lingers with heat rarely settles on its own. Book a first visit, or call us if the pain is keeping you up.