What is root canal treatment?
Inside every tooth is the pulp, a soft core of nerves and blood vessels running down through the roots. When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, usually through deep decay, a crack or an injury, it can cause severe pain and, left untreated, an abscess.
Root canal treatment removes the inflamed or infected tissue, cleans and disinfects the canals inside the roots, then seals them, so you keep your natural tooth and the pain stops. It is carried out under local anaesthetic and, for most people, feels similar to having a filling.
Fig. 03 · Root canal treatment
Saving the tooth from the inside.
- IEnamel and dentineThe hard outer layers, which stay in place.
- IIPulpThe nerve and blood supply. Once infected it causes pain and can form an abscess at the root tip.
- IIICleaned and sealedInfected tissue is removed, the canals are disinfected, then filled and sealed.
- IVRestoredA filling or crown closes the tooth and protects it from splitting.
Carried out under local anaesthetic, usually in one or two visits.
Signs you may need a root canal
- Persistent or throbbing toothache
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the trigger has gone
- Pain when biting or chewing
- Swelling, or a pimple-like bump on the gum near a tooth
- A tooth that has darkened
- A tooth with deep decay, a crack, or one that has had repeated dental work
Sometimes an infected tooth causes no pain at all and is found on an X-ray. If you are in severe pain now, we keep same-day emergency appointments every day.
How treatment works at Hey Dental
- Diagnosis. We examine the tooth and take low-dose digital X-rays to confirm the cause and see the shape of the roots.
- Comfort. The tooth is fully numbed with local anaesthetic. A thin rubber sheet isolates it to keep it clean and dry.
- Cleaning. The infected pulp is removed and the canals are shaped and disinfected.
- Sealing. The canals are filled and sealed to stop bacteria getting back in.
- Restoring. A filling closes the tooth. Back teeth usually need a crown afterwards to protect them from splitting.
Many treatments are completed in one or two visits. Afterwards the tooth can feel tender for a few days, managed with ordinary painkillers.
What it costs
| Item | From |
|---|---|
| Root canal treatment | AED 1,800 |
| Crown to protect the tooth afterwards | Quoted with your plan |
| Emergency appointment for pain relief | AED 300 |
The fee depends on the tooth: front teeth usually have one canal, molars three or four. You receive a written estimate after diagnosis. If you are claiming on insurance, we complete your claim paperwork and provide the reports your insurer needs. Interest-free instalments are available.
Root canal or extraction?
| Root canal treatment | Extraction | |
|---|---|---|
| Keeps your natural tooth | Yes | No |
| Upfront cost | Higher | Lower |
| Long-term cost | Usually lower | Replacing the tooth with an implant or bridge costs more |
| Effect on neighbouring teeth | None | Teeth can drift into the gap |
Saving the tooth is usually the better long-term choice. Where a tooth cannot be saved, we explain the replacement options, including dental implants.
Does a root canal hurt?
The treatment itself should not hurt: the tooth is fully numbed, and it is the infection, not the treatment, that causes the pain people associate with root canals. Most patients feel much better afterwards than before. Tell us if you are nervous; we are used to looking after anxious patients and will go at your pace.
Why treat it promptly
An infected tooth does not heal on its own. Left alone, infection can spread into the bone, cause an abscess and make the tooth impossible to save. Treating it early is simpler, more comfortable and keeps more options open.
