Root canal treatment
Root Canal Treatment in Orchard, Singapore
Save your own tooth. We clean, disinfect and seal the infected canals inside it under a microscope, at Forum The Shopping Mall on Orchard Road.
Information verified
Quick facts
| What it treats | Infected or inflamed pulp (nerve) inside a tooth |
|---|---|
| Who treats you | Our general dentists for most cases; our endodontist for complex cases, re-treatment and apicectomy |
| Anaesthetic and sedation | Local anaesthetic; nitrous oxide or IV sedation for anxious patients |
| Number of visits | 1 or 2, depending on the tooth and how infected it is |
| How it's done | Under a dental microscope on every root canal, with a rubber dam to keep the tooth clean |
| Recovery | Mild tenderness when biting for 2 to 3 days; most people return to work the same or next day |
| After treatment | A crown is usually recommended, especially on back teeth |
| Success rate | Over 90% overall in published studies; lower for re-treatment |
| Location | 583 Orchard Road, #01-07/08/09, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884 |
Why would you need a root canal?
Inside every tooth is the pulp, a soft core of nerves and blood vessels. Once bacteria reach the pulp, or it is badly damaged, it becomes inflamed or infected.
It cannot heal on its own, and the infection can spread through the root tip into the jawbone and form an abscess. Root canal treatment removes the damaged pulp so you can keep the tooth instead of losing it.
Without treatment, the infection does not go away, and the alternative is usually removing the tooth.
The pulp usually becomes infected or damaged because of
- Deep decay that has reached the pulp
- A cracked or chipped tooth, which lets bacteria in
- Large or repeated fillings, which irritate the pulp over time
- A leaking old filling or crown, with decay starting underneath
- A knock or injury to the tooth; the pulp can die months or even years later, sometimes without a visible crack
Signs you may need a root canal
Some infected teeth cause no pain at all and are found on an X-ray. We confirm the diagnosis with tests and imaging, including a 3D CBCT scan taken in-clinic when the anatomy needs a closer look.
- Toothache that throbs, wakes you at night or comes on by itself
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, after the drink is gone
- Pain when biting or pressing on the tooth
- Swelling of the gum or face, or a pimple-like bump on the gum
- A tooth that has turned grey or darker
Root canal or extraction?
Keeping your own tooth is usually the better long-term option when it can be saved. A missing tooth lets neighbouring teeth drift and may later need an implant or bridge to replace it.
| Compared | Root canal + crown | Extraction |
|---|---|---|
| Keeps your natural tooth | Yes | No |
| Visits | Usually 2 for the root canal, then the crown | Usually 1 |
| Next step | Crown to protect the tooth | Implant, bridge or denture to fill the gap, or leave a gap |
| Best when | Enough healthy tooth and root remain | The tooth is cracked through the root or too broken down to restore |
We will tell you honestly if a tooth cannot be saved, and talk you through the alternatives.
What happens during treatment
Front teeth usually have one canal, premolars one or two, and molars three or four. Back teeth therefore take longer.
Visit 1
- Numbing. We numb the tooth with local anaesthetic and check it is fully numb before starting.
- Isolation. A thin rubber sheet (rubber dam) goes around the tooth. It keeps saliva and bacteria out and stops small instruments falling into your throat.
- Access. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp chamber.
- Cleaning and shaping. Under the microscope, fine instruments remove the infected pulp and shape each canal. An apex locator measures the canal length precisely.
- Disinfecting. The canals are rinsed with disinfecting solutions, and a medicine is often placed inside.
- Temporary filling. The tooth is sealed with a temporary filling until the next visit.
Visit 2
- Final cleaning. The canals are checked and rinsed again.
- Sealing. The canals are filled with an inert, rubber-like material (gutta-percha) and sealer, closing them off from the jawbone.
- Core filling. The top of the tooth is rebuilt, ready for a crown.
- X-ray check. A final X-ray confirms the canals are well sealed.
Single visit or two visits?
When the tooth is not badly infected and the canals are straightforward, all of these steps can be done in one longer visit.
When there is active infection or swelling, we usually split treatment over two visits so the medicine can settle the infection first. We will tell you which applies to your tooth before starting.
After your treatment
Mild tenderness when biting is normal for two to three days. Over-the-counter pain relief usually controls it.
A root-canal-treated tooth has lost its inner blood supply and is often already weakened, so it is more brittle and can darken. A crown protects it and gives it the best chance of lasting.
Do
- Take pain relief as advised
- Eat once the numbness wears off
- Brush and floss as normal
- Call us if swelling, severe pain or a lost filling occurs
Don't
- Chew on the treated side until the crown is fitted
- Bite on hard foods (nuts, ice, bones) with the temporary filling
- Delay the crown; an unprotected tooth can crack
- Ignore pain that gets worse after 3 days
How well it works
Published studies show root canal treatment succeeds in more than 90% of cases overall. Working under a microscope helps us find and clean narrow or extra canals that are easy to miss.
Success is lower when
- The infection is extensive
- The canals are narrow, curved or calcified, usually in back teeth
- The tooth is being re-treated after an earlier root canal (around 70%)
Complex cases: re-treatment and root-end surgery
Some teeth need more specialised care. These are treated in-house by our endodontist, a dentist with specialist training in root canal treatment.
- Re-treatment of a previously root-canal-treated tooth that has become infected again
- Apicectomy (root-end surgery), when infection at the root tip cannot be reached through the tooth, for example under an existing crown or post
- Difficult anatomy, such as calcified, curved or extra canals
- Resorption, where the tooth's root is being broken down from inside or outside
Questions & answers
Root canal treatment: common questions
Is root canal treatment painful?
How long does a root canal take?
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Who will do my root canal?
Can a root canal be done in one visit?
Is it better to have a root canal or pull the tooth out?
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Can I go to work after a root canal?
When can I eat after a root canal?
What is the success rate of root canal treatment?
What affects the cost of a root canal?
What if my root-canal-treated tooth hurts again?
Do you see emergency toothache cases?
Book a visit
Ready to take care of your smile?
Tell us what you need and our team will help you book the right appointment, usually within one working day.