Root Canal Treatment Cost Singapore: All you need to know!

The journey of a root canal begins subtly, with the slow advancement of tooth decay and often goes unnoticed. A root canal frequently represents the last opportunity to preserve a tooth that has been silently declining over time. Modern root canal treatment is a common, effective procedure that can save your natural tooth and relieve pain. Despite the myths surrounding it, this treatment is often not more uncomfortable than getting a filling. 

What is a root canal treatment?

Root canal treatment, also known as endodontic therapy, is a dental procedure to treat infection or inflammation in the pulp of the tooth. The pulp is the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. When it's damaged or infected, it can cause severe pain and lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

The goal of root canal therapy is to:

• Remove infected or inflamed pulp

• Clean and disinfect the root canals

• Fill and seal the space to prevent future infection

• Preserve your natural tooth structure

When is root canal treatment needed?

1) When a deep cavity reaches the inside of your tooth and causes pain or infection

Root canal treatment becomes essential when specific dental conditions indicate that the inner pulp of the tooth is compromised. A common scenario is the presence of a deep cavity reaching the pulp, which can lead to infection if not promptly addressed.

2) Cracked or fractured tooth exposing the pulp to bacteria

A cracked or fractured tooth may expose the pulp to bacteria, requiring immediate attention to prevent further damage. Trauma to the tooth, such as a severe impact or injury, can also compromise the pulp, making root canal treatment vital to preserve the tooth's integrity.

3) Presence of an abscess (swelling/bump), a pus-filled infection at the tooth root

Another critical situation is the development of an abscess, a pus-filled infection at the root of the tooth. This condition can cause significant discomfort and requires urgent treatment to prevent the infection from spreading. Furthermore, if your tooth is unusually sensitive to heat or cold and the sensitivity persists, it may indicate pulp damage that needs to be addressed through a root canal.

4) Persistent pain, sensitivity, swelling, or discomfort when chewing

Experiencing swelling, tenderness, or severe pain when chewing can also signal that the pulp is infected or inflamed.

Ignoring these symptoms can lead to the infection spreading beyond the tooth, potentially resulting in tooth loss or even systemic health issues if bacteria enter the bloodstream. Therefore, timely intervention with root canal treatment is crucial to prevent these complications and maintain overall oral health.

What happens inside the tooth?

Each tooth has one or more root canals that house the pulp. Front teeth have usually just one root canal whereas back teeth usually have 2 or 3. Once the pulp becomes infected, it doesn’t heal on its own. When the infection leads to buildup of fluid inside the constricted space and compresses the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth, it leads to intense pain and ultimately cause the tooth to die or be non-vital. Without treatment, the surrounding bone and tissues can also become infected.

The root canal procedure removes the infected pulp, cleans the canals with disinfecting solutions, and then seals them with a biocompatible material (usually known as gutta-percha). A dental crown is typically placed over the tooth to protect and strengthen it. 

What are the steps of a root canal procedure?

Here’s what you can expect at every step of the process:

1. Diagnosis and consultation

Your dentist will take X-rays to assess the extent of the infection. They will also discuss your symptoms, options, and treatment plan with you. Dental x-rays help to establish the number of root canals, the integrity of the tooth structure, adjacent teeth and surrounding bone. At Dental Designs Clinic, we have a fully digital workflow from scanning to x-ray imaging making it a comfortable and seamless process.

2. Local anaesthesia

The area is numbed to make the procedure comfortable. Most patients feel little to no pain during the treatment. At Dental Designs Clinic, our dentists use modern tools like dental loupes and microscopes to be able to clearly visualise the small structures inside the tooth.

3. Pulp removal

An opening is made in the tooth, and the damaged pulp is carefully removed using fine dental instruments. Manual instruments are used traditionally but nowadays, rotary instruments, like the ones we use at Dental Designs Clinic, are helpful to reduce time and difficulty especially for complex cases involving multiple root canals.

4. Cleaning and shaping the canals

The root canals are cleaned, shaped, and disinfected to remove bacteria and debris. It is important to ensure that no canals are missed and that all traces of the infection are removed thoroughly.

5. Filling the canals

The empty canals are filled with a suitable filling material, and sealed to prevent reinfection. This medicament helps to keep the infection at bay over the coming week during the healing period, when the tooth can heal from the infection.

6. Restoration

A temporary or permanent filling is placed. In most cases, the tooth will later receive a dental crown to restore its strength and function. This is an important step to prevent failure of the root canal treatment and offers favourable long-term outcomes for the tooth.

How long does root canal treatment take?

A root canal procedure depends on the tooth's location and the complexity of the case. For instance, front teeth may require less time as they usually only have one simple root, whereas back teeth have multiple roots that can be curved or positioned in a difficult angle, making it more complex to treat.

Typically, root canal treatment takes 1 to 2 visits, each lasting 60 to 90 minutes. In some complex cases, 3 or more visits may be needed.

What are the benefits of root canal treatment?

• Root canal treatment offers the opportunity to preserve the natural tooth, which is preferable to extraction.
• It alleviates pain by addressing the infection that caused it and helps to restore the tooth's normal function allowing you to chew as usual.
• It helps maintain jawbone structure as the alternative option of removing the tooth leads to loss of the surrounding bone which leads to changes in bite and facial appearance.
• Root canal treatment eliminates bacteria from the infected root canal, preventing further infection and protecting surrounding tissues. 
• Root canal can be a cost effective option when compared to tooth extraction and replacement with an implant.

What is the cost of root canal treatment in Singapore?

The cost of root canal treatment is tailored to the personalised treatment plan developed by your dentist, considering factors such as:

• The tooth's position in the mouth (whether it's a front or back tooth)
• The number of canals present
• Any additional treatments that may be necessary.
  
  

For urgent pain relief, a procedure called emergency pulp extirpation can be performed, which involves accessing the tooth's interior to relieve infection. However, this is a temporary measure and should be followed by a complete root canal treatment for complete resolution.  

Back teeth may have three to four canals requiring thorough cleaning, and some teeth may have complex anatomy like curved canals or difficult positioning of the tooth, necessitating specialised tools for effective treatment.

During your consultation at Dental Designs Clinic, your dentist will evaluate your specific needs and provide a transparent cost breakdown. Alternative treatment options can also be discussed, allowing you to make an informed decision about your treatment goals.

Click here to learn more about Root Canal Treatments as Dental Designs Clinic.

Does dental insurance cover Root Canal Treatment Cost Singapore?

Root canal treatments may or may not be covered by dental insurance plans, depending on the coverage of your dental insurance plan. Some plans may cover the entire cost of the procedure, while others might only cover a portion, which means, a co-payment may be required. Additionally, the coverage amount may vary depending on whether the root canal is performed on a front or back tooth, as some plans have different rates for various types of teeth.

It is advised to check with your dental insurance provider to know more about your specific coverage.

Is root canal treatment worth the cost?

Root canal treatment aims to save your natural tooth and prevent the need for extraction and replacement if that missing tooth. It is the preferable course of action as taking out the tooth might resolve the symptoms in the short term but leave you with a host of other issues to resolve to prevent problems with the your chewing function, your jaw joint and your facial structure.

Compared to tooth extraction and replacement with an artificial tooth structure, root canal treatment (endodontic treatment) is a cost-effective way to preserve natural teeth as delaying care could lead to additional surgical procedures or more extensive fillings, increasing both time and cost.

Can MediSave or CHAS be used for root canal treatment?

MediSave cannot be used to pay for standard root canal treatments in Singapore. This is because root canal therapy is classified as a non-surgical dental procedure, which is generally not claimable under the MediSave scheme.​ MediSave can be used for some surgical endodontic procedures like apicoectomy (surgical removal of root tip and surrounding infected tissue).

Singaporeans can access subsidies for root canal treatments at public healthcare institutions and at private dental clinics participating in the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). Additionally, seniors from the Pioneer and Merdeka Generations are eligible for further subsidies. For patients who still face financial difficulties after these subsidies, assistance through MediFund may be available .​

What is Apicoectomy?

An apicoectomy is a minor surgical procedure performed when a standard root canal treatment is not enough to save a tooth. It involves removing the tip of the tooth’s root (called the apex) along with any infected tissue surrounding it. This procedure is often recommended when infection or inflammation persists even after a root canal or retreatment.

During an apicoectomy, the dentist or endodontist makes a small incision in the gum to access the root, removes the affected portion, and seals the end of the root with a filling to prevent further infection. It’s typically done under local anesthesia and can help preserve a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted.

What is the minimum age for root canal treatment procedure?

Children of all ages can benefit from root canal therapy. It may seem futile to invest in the health of a baby tooth that is going to fall out anyway but depending on the development stage of your child's tooth, endodontic therapy can help to preserve the baby tooth in its place and serve as a guide for permanent teeth to erupt in the correct position. This can avoid issues in future like crowding of teeth, unerupted teeth and misaligned teeth.

Children with infected permanent teeth might also require root canal treatment to preserve the natural tooth. For younger children, other procedures such as pulpotomy might be more appropriate. Your dental professional will be able to assess your which phase of development their teeth are from x-rays and also recommend the appropriate course of treatment. Click here to read more.