Root canal treatment in Setapak

What root canal treatment is

Root canal treatment is used to save a tooth when the soft tissue inside it (the pulp or 'nerve') has become severely inflamed or infected, rather than removing the tooth. Treatment is carried out at Klinik Pergigian Genting on Jalan Genting Kelang, Setapak, usually over one or two visits.

Consultation starts from RM25, and a PA X-ray is RM60.

Starting price, not a quotation. Your personalised treatment plan and fee estimate will be provided following assessment.

When root canal treatment is needed

Inside every tooth is a soft core called the pulp, containing nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp becomes severely inflamed or infected - often because of deep decay, a crack or previous dental work - it may no longer be able to heal, and root canal treatment may be needed to save the tooth.

Signs that this has happened:

• persistent throbbing pain, often worse when lying down
• lingering sensitivity to hot or cold that continues after the source is removed
• pain when biting on that tooth
• a tooth that has darkened
• a swelling or small pimple on the gum near the tooth
• tenderness in the gum around the tooth

Sometimes there are no symptoms at all and the problem is found on a routine X-ray.

Pain stopping does not mean the problem has resolved. When the pulp inside an infected tooth dies, the pain may temporarily reduce or disappear. The infection can still remain around the root and surrounding tissues.

Root canal or extraction?

If a tooth can predictably be saved, keeping your natural tooth is often worth considering. But root canal treatment is not always the right choice. The condition of the tooth, the amount of healthy tooth structure remaining, and the supporting gums and bone all matter.

There are cases where a tooth genuinely cannot be saved - for example, a fracture extending below the gum or too little healthy tooth structure remaining to restore it predictably. We will tell you honestly which situation applies.

What the treatment involves

1. Assessment. X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and see the root anatomy.

2. Anaesthetic. The tooth and surrounding area are fully numbed.

3. Access and cleaning. An opening is made through the top of the tooth. The infected pulp is removed and the canals inside the roots are cleaned and shaped.

4. Filling the canals. The cleaned canals are sealed to prevent bacteria re-entering.

5. Restoring the tooth. A filling closes the access opening. Depending on how much healthy tooth structure remains and how much force the tooth carries, a crown or other protective restoration may be recommended to reduce the risk of fracture.

Where infection is significant, treatment may be split across two visits with a dressing in between.

Complex root canal cases

Dr Ashveen has a particular interest in root canal treatment and also assesses more complex cases, including molars, calcified canals, separated instruments, perforations and root canal treatment through existing crowns.

Each case is assessed individually. Where a case can be appropriately managed at the clinic, we will discuss the treatment options with you; where specialist care would give you a better outcome, we will advise you accordingly.

Does it hurt?

Root canal treatment has a worse reputation than it deserves. Most of the pain people associate with it is the pain of the infection that brings them in, and the treatment is what relieves it.

The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should be comfortable during treatment. Some tenderness for a few days afterwards, particularly when biting, can occur and usually settles.

If you are anxious about it, say so at the assessment. Knowing what is happening at each stage helps most people considerably.

Afterwards

• Avoid chewing on that side until the permanent restoration is fitted
• Some tenderness for a few days is normal; take painkillers as directed on the packaging
• If a crown or protective restoration has been recommended, do not delay it unnecessarily. Teeth that have lost significant tooth structure can be more vulnerable to fracture after root canal treatment
• Continue normal brushing and cleaning between teeth

Contact the clinic if pain is severe, swelling develops, or the temporary filling comes out.

What it costs

Root canal treatment at Klinik Pergigian Genting starts from RM800. The fee varies depending on the tooth and complexity of treatment - molar teeth generally have more canals and take longer to treat than front teeth.

Consultation starts from RM25, and a PA X-ray is RM60.

If a crown or other final restoration is recommended after root canal treatment, this is quoted separately.

Starting price, not a quotation. Your personalised treatment plan and fee estimate will be provided following assessment.

Frequently asked questions

How many visits does it take? Root canal treatment at Klinik Pergigian Genting usually takes one or two visits, depending on the tooth and whether there is active infection. Your dentist will tell you what to expect after the X-ray.

Do I definitely need a crown afterwards? Not always. Klinik Pergigian Genting decides this tooth by tooth: it depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains, where the tooth is in the mouth and how much chewing load it carries. We will assess the remaining tooth structure and explain whether a crown or another restoration is appropriate.

Can antibiotics fix it instead? Antibiotics alone cannot remove the source of infection inside the root canal. Klinik Pergigian Genting may sometimes prescribe them when there are signs of spreading infection or systemic involvement, but the tooth itself still needs appropriate dental treatment - usually root canal treatment or extraction.

How long will the tooth last afterwards? Klinik Pergigian Genting expects a well-treated and properly restored tooth to last many years. Long-term success depends on factors including the condition of the tooth, the quality of the final restoration, oral hygiene and avoiding new decay or fracture.

Is it better to just pull the tooth out? It depends on whether the tooth can be predictably saved. Klinik Pergigian Genting assesses that before recommending either one. When a tooth has enough healthy structure and a reasonable long-term outlook, keeping your natural tooth is often worth considering. If the tooth is badly fractured, has too little structure remaining or has a poor prognosis, extraction may be the better option. We will explain which situation applies to your tooth and why.

I have no pain now. Do I still need treatment? Klinik Pergigian Genting will not recommend root canal treatment on symptoms alone. Some dental problems can become painless even though disease is still present, while others may settle without needing root canal treatment. An examination and X-ray help us determine whether treatment is still required.

Can a root canal fail? Root canal treatment has a good long-term outlook, but like any dental treatment, success cannot be guaranteed. Persistent infection can occasionally occur because of complex canal anatomy, cracks, new decay or bacteria re-entering the tooth. If a previously root-treated tooth develops a problem, it does not always mean the tooth has to be removed. Root canal retreatment may sometimes be possible, and Klinik Pergigian Genting will assess the tooth before recommending the next step.