Root Canal Treatment
– Save Your Tooth
& Relieve Pain!

You must visit your dentist immediately for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if you need a root canal treatment. There will be a recommendation for root canal treatment if an inflamed or infected pulp is due to tooth decay, trauma, gum disease or other causes. Symptoms include:

• Severe toothache that persists for days

• Tooth sensitivity to sweets and hot or cold food

• Swelling in the gums near the aching tooth

• A tender or swollen gums near the aching tooth

• Affected tooth discolouration

• Bad breath or taste in the mouth

• Pain while biting or chewing food

• Chipped or cracked tooth

Root canal treatment offers many benefits. The benefits of undergoing a root canal treatment procedures include:

1. Relief from pain and discomfort.
2. Preserving the tooth and restoring its strength, allowing it to remain functional and healthy.
3. Preventing the spread of infection that could affect other teeth or even organs in your body.
4. Improving your oral health and eliminating the need for future, expensive treatments.
5. Protecting adjacent natural teeth from the strain caused by missing or damaged teeth.
6. Enhancing your smile and restoring a natural-looking appearance.
7. Helping you maintain your overall health and well-being.

Root canal treatment can also help to save money in the long run. It can help to preserve a damaged tooth that would otherwise be extracted and replaced with an artificial one. Extracting a damaged tooth and replacing it with an artificial one can be costly than treating the underlying problem with root canal treatment. As a result, root canal treatment can often provide significant savings compared to other treatments for damaged or badly decayed teeth. By helping to prevent further damage or infection, root canal treatment may reduce the need for additional dental procedures that may be required if a condition is left untreated. Finally, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene and health, ensuring that the teeth remain healthy for many years.

Medisave cannot fund non-surgical root canal treatment according to MOH guidelines. Below is the list of dental insurance providers that offer coverage for root canal treatment:

• AIA

• MHC

• IHP

• Allianz

• Innova

• DA Adept

Note: Individuals must possess a membership ID or any evidence of membership of the said dental insurance.

Root canal treatment typically causes minimal discomfort, and your dentist will give you a local anaesthetic to minimise pain. After the procedure, some mild soreness in the treated area may occur, but this should subside after a few days with over-the-counter painkillers.

Here are some post-treatment instructions for optimal healing after a root canal:

• Refrain from drinking or eating for at least 4 hours following the procedure.
• Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it has healed and been restored with a dental crown, root canal filling, or other restoration.
• Maintain good oral hygiene habits by brushing and flossing regularly, using an antiseptic mouthwash, and scheduling regular check-ups with your dentist.
• Avoid eating hard or chewy foods for several days.
• Refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
• Take any medication prescribed antibiotics as directed.

It is important to have a follow-up appointment with your dentist for regular check-ups and exams to ensure your tooth has healed properly. Your dentist may recommend x-rays to monitor healing and ensure the root canal is successful. Additionally, it is important to continue practising optimal oral hygiene habits, like brushing twice daily and flossing regularly. It is also important to attend regular dental exams and cleanings. It will help keep your oral health in top condition and reduce the risk of future infection or decay.