.webp)
Root canal treatment has a reputation for being one of the most feared dental procedures — a reputation that is almost entirely based on how the procedure felt several decades ago, before modern anaesthesia and technique made it comparable in discomfort to a routine filling. The procedure is not inherently painful; it is the infection it treats that is painful. The root canal itself resolves that pain.
At Dazzle Dental Clinic, root canal treatment is performed under local anaesthesia in most cases, with sedation available for anxious patients.
Why Root Canal Treatment Is Needed
The pulp — the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue — can become infected when bacteria penetrate through a cavity, a crack, or a failing restoration. The infection causes the characteristic toothache of pulpitis: acute pain on biting, prolonged pain to hot or cold that lingers after the stimulus is removed, spontaneous pain at night. If untreated, the pulp dies and the infection spreads through the apex of the root into the surrounding bone, forming a periapical abscess or granuloma visible on radiograph as a dark shadow at the root tip.
Root canal treatment addresses this by removing the infected pulp tissue (pulpectomy), cleaning and shaping the root canal system with rotary nickel-titanium files, irrigating with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) to eliminate residual bacteria and dissolve organic debris, and sealing the canal with gutta-percha and a biocompatible sealer. The tooth is then restored with a post-and-core if needed and a crown to protect the root-treated tooth from fracture under occlusal load.
How Many Appointments Does It Take?
At Dazzle, most root canal procedures are completed in 1–2 appointments. Single-rooted teeth (incisors, canines) with straightforward anatomy: typically one appointment. Multi-rooted teeth (molars) with complex anatomy or active acute infection: two appointments. The first appointment removes the infection and places an intracanal medicament (calcium hydroxide); the second appointment completes the canal obturation and restoration planning once the acute phase has resolved.
Appointments typically take 60–90 minutes. Patients are not in pain during the procedure — local anaesthesia is administered with adequate time for it to take full effect before instrumentation begins. The Wand computer-assisted anaesthesia system is available for patients who have injection sensitivity.
When Is Root Canal the Right Decision
Root canal treatment is appropriate when: the tooth has a restorable crown; the root structure is sound (no untreatable fracture below the gum line); and the periapical pathology is the primary reason for the patient’s symptoms. It is the treatment that saves the tooth.
Root canal treatment is not always the right decision. When: the tooth has a vertical root fracture extending below the bone level; there is insufficient tooth structure remaining for a restoration regardless of endodontic treatment; or the periodontal prognosis of the tooth is poor independent of its endodontic status. In these cases, extraction and implant replacement may produce a better long-term outcome. At Dazzle, the assessment includes an honest evaluation of prognosis to help patients make an informed decision.
Post-Treatment Expectations
After root canal treatment: mild soreness on biting for 2–5 days is normal and expected — the periapical inflammation around the root tip resolves over days to weeks. The tooth should not be painful during this period in the way it was before treatment. NSAIDs (ibuprofen) manage post-treatment soreness adequately. Periapical healing is confirmed radiographically at 6 months and 1 year post-treatment.
FAQs
Q1: Is root canal treatment painful during the procedure?
Under adequate local anaesthesia, patients feel pressure and instrumentation movement but not pain. If a patient feels pain during the procedure, additional anaesthesia is administered before continuing. At Dazzle, procedures are not continued if the patient is experiencing pain.
Q2: How long does root canal treatment last?
A properly performed root canal treatment with adequate restoration (crown on posterior teeth) can last the lifetime of the tooth. Published 10-year survival rates for root canal treated and crowned posterior teeth: approximately 80–90%.
Q3: Will the tooth be weaker after root canal treatment?
Root canal treated teeth are more brittle than vital teeth because the removal of pulp tissue changes the moisture content and elasticity of the dentine. This is why posterior root canal treated teeth should be crowned: the crown protects the tooth from the fracture forces that root-treated posterior teeth are particularly susceptible to.
Q4: Can I eat normally after root canal treatment?
Soft diet for 24–48 hours after each appointment. Once the temporary filling is placed, the tooth can be used for light eating, avoiding hard or crunchy foods. After the permanent crown is placed: full normal diet.
