Root canal treatment (endodontics)

Root canal treatment (endodontics) treats the inside of a tooth: the dentist removes the inflamed or dead pulp (the "nerve"), cleans and shapes the root canals and seals them. At SF Dent cleaning and shaping the canals costs 71.58 €, and filling one canal costs 52.00 € (classic technique) or 77.00 € (warm condensation) on the price list.

The aim of root canal treatment is to keep your own tooth instead of having it extracted. Here you will find when it is needed, the prices from the clinic's price list, how it is done, how many visits it takes and what to expect afterwards.

When root canal treatment is needed

Root canal treatment is needed when the pulp inside the tooth is irreversibly inflamed or has died – most often because of deep decay, a crack or an injury. Signs that mean you should come in for an examination:

• severe, throbbing pain that gets worse at night or when lying down;
• pain from hot or cold that lasts long after the hot or cold is gone;
• pain when biting or when the tooth is tapped;
• swelling of the gum or face, or a "pimple" (fistula) on the gum;
• a tooth that darkens after a knock.

Sometimes a tooth with dead pulp does not hurt at all and the problem only shows on an X-ray. That is why the diagnosis is made after an examination and an X-ray, not from symptoms alone.

Root canal treatment price

Service	Price
Examination	30.00€
Root canal cleaning and shaping	71.58€
Filling of 1 root canal	52.00€
Filling of 1 root canal with warm condensation	77.00€
Filling of 2 root canals	103.00€
Filling of 3 root canals	155.00€
Filling of 4 root canals	205.00€
Laser root canal treatment	82.00€
Trepanation (opening the tooth)	36.00€
Root canal irrigation and/or intracanal medication	31.00€
Endo - disinfection	62.00€
Endo - gangrene - disinfection	62.00€
Medicated inlay and temporary filling placement	31.00€
Calcium inlay	31.00€
Fiber post placement	62.00€
Post removal	31.00€
Removal of broken instrument	62.00€
Local anesthesia administration	11.00€

Prices are from the clinic’s price list. The final cost depends on your case and is confirmed after an examination. See the full price list

The price depends on how many canals the tooth has – front teeth usually have one, molars three or four – and on whether it is a first treatment or a retreatment. That is why canal filling is priced per number of canals. There may also be a medicated dressing with a temporary filling between visits, disinfection and anaesthetic. After root canal treatment the tooth is restored with a filling or, if it is badly broken down, with a post and a crown – these are charged separately.

How root canal treatment works – step by step

1. Examination and X-ray. The dentist confirms which tooth is the cause, how many canals it has and the state of the bone around the root.
2. Anaesthetic. Treatment is done under local anaesthetic, so it usually does not hurt.
3. Access to the pulp. Decay is removed and the tooth is opened to the pulp chamber.
4. Cleaning and shaping the canals. Rotary and hand instruments clean and widen the canals, and rinsing solutions disinfect them. A laser is used when needed.
5. Medicated dressing (if needed). If there is severe inflammation or infection, medicine and a temporary filling are placed until the next visit.
6. Filling the canals. The clean, dry canals are sealed – with the classic technique or by warm condensation.
7. Restoring the tooth. The tooth is closed with a filling or, if much of it is lost, with a fibre post and a crown.

How many visits it takes

Root canal treatment can be finished in one visit when there is no active infection, or it can take two or more visits with a medicated dressing in between. Teeth with more canals, and retreatments, usually take longer. As a guide, a visit lasts from about an hour – you will get the exact plan after the examination.

Root canal retreatment

Sometimes a tooth that had root canal treatment years ago becomes inflamed again – for example if a canal was not fully cleaned or the filling leaked. The old filling is then removed, the canals are cleaned again and refilled. The price list also has "post removal" and "removal of a broken instrument", which are sometimes part of such treatment.

Care after root canal treatment

• For a few days the tooth may be tender when you bite – this is normal and settles. If needed, take the usual painkiller you tolerate.
• Do not chew hard food on the treated tooth until it has its final filling or crown – it is more brittle.
• If a temporary filling was placed between visits, look after it; if it falls out, call us.
• If swelling increases or you get a temperature, call the clinic during opening hours, or seek emergency care outside them.
• Come back for a check-up X-ray when your dentist recommends it.

Who provides the treatment

Root canal treatment at SF Dent is provided by Dr. Sandy Festok, who has trained in rotary root canal preparation (MB Consult, 2007), the ProTaper (2008) and Twisted File (2008) systems, and in using therapeutic and high-energy diode lasers (2020).

The information on this page is general and does not replace an examination by a dentist. The right treatment for you is decided after an examination.

Frequently asked questions

How much does root canal treatment cost?

On the SF Dent price list, cleaning and shaping the root canals is 71.58 €; filling one canal is 52.00 € (classic technique) or 77.00 € (warm condensation), two canals 103.00 €, three 155.00 € and four 205.00 €. Laser treatment of a root canal is 82.00 €. Restoring the tooth afterwards is charged separately.

Does root canal treatment hurt?

It is done under local anaesthetic, so you usually feel only pressure. Afterwards the tooth may be tender when biting for a few days – this is normal.

How many visits does root canal treatment take?

One or more. When there is no active infection, treatment can often be finished in one visit; with severe inflammation the canals are treated with a medicated dressing over two or more visits.

Do I need a crown after a root canal?

Not always. If enough healthy tooth is left, it is restored with a filling. For badly broken-down teeth, especially back teeth, the dentist may recommend a fibre post and a crown, because a treated tooth is more brittle.

What is endodontics?

Endodontics is the field of dentistry that treats the pulp (the "nerve") and the root canals of a tooth. Root canal treatment is the most common endodontic procedure.

Can the tooth be extracted instead?

It can, but that leaves a gap that later often needs a bridge or an implant. If the tooth can be saved, root canal treatment is usually the better choice. The dentist will discuss both options with you.

What is root canal retreatment?

Treatment of a tooth that has already had a root canal but has become inflamed again. The old filling is removed, and the canals are cleaned and refilled.