A root canal is a treatment that saves a badly decayed or infected tooth by removing the soft pulp inside it, cleaning the space, and sealing it shut. The pulp is the nerves and blood vessels in the middle of the tooth. When decay or a crack lets bacteria reach it, the pulp gets infected and starts to hurt. A root canal removes that infection so the tooth can stay in your mouth instead of being pulled.
When you might need one
- Pain that wakes you up at night or won't go away with painkillers
- Long-lasting sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the food or drink is gone
- A tooth that has gone dark or grey
- Swollen or tender gums near a specific tooth
- A small pimple-like bump on the gum, which is an abscess draining
What happens during treatment
The dentist numbs the area first, so it feels closer to a filling than anything dramatic. They open the top of the tooth, remove the infected pulp, and clean and shape the canals inside the roots. The space is then filled and sealed. Most front teeth finish in one visit; back teeth often need two because they have more roots. Afterward, a crown is usually placed over the tooth to protect it, since a root-treated tooth is more brittle.
What it costs in South Africa
A root canal runs roughly R3,500 to R8,000 per tooth. Front teeth with a single canal cost the least; molars with three or more canals cost the most. The crown that usually follows is a separate R2,500 to R6,000. A specialist endodontist charges more than a general dentist.
The reputation is worse than the reality
Root canals have a scary name, mostly from decades ago when anaesthesia was weaker. The point of the procedure is to stop pain, not cause it. Most people describe it as no worse than getting a filling, and the relief afterward is usually immediate.
Find a dentist near you if you have tooth pain that won't go away.