Questions and answers
Straight answers to what patients ask most often before a root canal.
The treatment
Does root canal treatment hurt?
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic first, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Mild to moderate soreness for a few days afterwards is normal, especially when chewing, and the prescribed painkillers handle it.
How many visits will I need?
Most root canal treatments here are finished in a single visit. A severe infection or a retreatment of an earlier root canal can need more than one. Dr. Vinod will tell you at your examination.
Why is every case done under a microscope?
The microscope magnifies the tooth up to 25 times. Extra or hidden canals, cracks and broken instruments that cannot be seen with the naked eye become visible, and a missed canal is one of the main reasons root canals fail.
Is it safe?
Instruments go through three-stage sterilisation, and files and burs are used once only. A rubber dam keeps saliva out of the tooth and stops small instruments from being swallowed. Digital X-rays use much less radiation than film.
After treatment
How long will a root canal treated tooth last?
With proper care, a tooth treated by a specialist with modern equipment can last as long as your other natural teeth. Get the final crown or filling done on time, and keep brushing and flossing.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Back teeth usually need a crown to protect them from breaking. Delaying the crown or filling after a root canal is a common reason treatment fails. Dr. Vinod will advise you on your tooth.
What if it still hurts weeks later?
Some soreness is normal and healing can take several weeks. Swelling, fever, or pain that keeps getting worse should be checked. Read what is normal and what is not.
Is there a follow-up?
Yes. We take a free check X-ray of every tooth we treat once a year, to make sure it is healing well.
Cost and choices
How much does root canal treatment cost?
It depends on the tooth, the number of canals, and whether an earlier root canal has to be redone. After your examination, Dr. Vinod explains your options and what each one costs, so you can decide before treatment starts.
Why does a specialist root canal cost more?
Every case gets the operating microscope, a rubber dam, single-use files, and a yearly follow-up X-ray. The aim is to treat the tooth well the first time, so you do not pay again for retreatment, an extraction or an implant.
Is a root canal better than an implant?
If your tooth can be saved predictably, keeping it is usually the better choice. You keep the natural feel of your bite and avoid surgery. An implant is a good option when a tooth truly cannot be saved, and Dr. Vinod will tell you honestly which applies to you.
What happens if I delay treatment?
The infection can spread into the bone around the root and cause swelling, and the tooth can break down until it can no longer be saved. A tooth that stops hurting has not necessarily healed. Sometimes an infected tooth has no symptoms at all.
Can I get an opinion before I visit?
Yes. Send your X-rays and a short description on WhatsApp and the clinic will get back to you. A firm diagnosis needs an examination. Get a second opinion.