Pain or damage
Root canal treatment
When decay or a crack lets bacteria into the soft pulp inside a tooth, it can become infected and very painful. Root canal treatment removes the infection and seals the tooth, so you keep it instead of losing it.
5.0 on Google from 93 reviewsYour root canal treatment, step by step
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Step 1 of 7
X-ray
An X-ray shows how far the infection has spread, including any at the tip of the root.
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Step 2 of 7
Numbing
The tooth and gum are numbed with local anaesthetic, so you feel pressure rather than pain.
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Step 3 of 7
A small opening
A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the infected pulp inside.
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Step 4 of 7
Cleaning each canal
Fine files remove the infected pulp and shape each canal, one at a time.
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Step 5 of 7
Rinsing
The canals are rinsed with a disinfecting solution to wash out the remaining bacteria.
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Step 6 of 7
Filling and sealing
The clean canals are filled with a rubber-like material, and the opening is sealed.
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Step 7 of 7
A crown to protect it
A back tooth usually gets a crown to stop it cracking. With the infection gone, the area around the root can heal.
After the canals are sealed
The dentist recommends what suits you after your check-up and, if needed, an X-ray.
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01
A filling on top
The opening in the tooth is closed with a tooth-coloured filling. This is often enough for a front tooth.
The opening in the top of the tooth is closed with a tooth-coloured filling. The sealed canals stay inside your own tooth.
Best for
- Front teeth, which take less force when you bite
- Teeth that still have plenty of their own structure
What it involves
Done at the end of the root canal treatment, or at a short visit afterwards.
The parts
Tooth-coloured filling · Your own tooth, kept · Sealed canals
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02
A crown to protect it
Back teeth take the most force when you chew, so a crown is often advised to stop the treated tooth from cracking.
A crown covers the whole top of the tooth and holds it together, so it does not crack under the force of chewing.
Best for
- Back teeth (molars and premolars)
- Teeth that were heavily filled or broken before treatment
What it involves
Shaping the tooth, a scan or impression, a temporary crown, then the final crown at a later visit.
The parts
Crown · Your own tooth, kept · Sealed canals
Signs you may need it
- Toothache that throbs or wakes you at night.
- Pain that lingers after hot or cold food and drinks.
- A swollen gum, or a small pimple-like bump near a tooth.
- A tooth that has turned darker after a knock.
Only an examination, and usually an X-ray, can tell for sure. If swelling spreads to your eye or neck, or you have trouble swallowing or breathing, go to the nearest emergency department.
After your root canal
- The tooth may feel tender for a few days. Painkillers the dentist recommends usually help.
- Avoid biting hard food on that tooth until the final filling or crown is in place.
- Brush and floss as normal.
- Come back for the final filling or crown, so the tooth is protected for the long term.
The procedure was completely painless and precise. The staff made me feel relaxed throughout, and my tooth is now pain-free, strong, and fully functional.
Dr. Tabassum Ajmal
Dentist and prosthodontist
Your treatment is planned and carried out by Dr. Tabassum, who leads the clinic on Nasir Bagh Road. She explains each step, and what it costs, before anything starts.
Questions about root canal treatment
Can't find yours? Ask the booking assistant, or message the clinic on WhatsApp.
Does root canal treatment hurt?
The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic first, so most patients feel pressure rather than pain. It can feel tender for a few days afterwards.
How many visits will I need?
Often one or two, depending on the tooth and how much infection there is. The dentist tells you after examining it.
Wouldn't it be simpler to pull the tooth out?
Keeping your own tooth is usually better for chewing and for the teeth around it. A gap often needs an implant, bridge or denture later. The dentist will explain both choices.
Will I need a crown afterwards?
Back teeth usually do, because they take the most force when you chew and can crack after treatment. A front tooth may only need a filling.
Talk to the clinic about root canal treatment
Book a check-up. The dentist examines you and explains your options, how long each takes and what it costs, before anything starts.
1st Floor, Al-Sayed Tower, Nasir Bagh Road, near Amal Labs, Malakandher, Peshawar