When decay or a crack reaches the nerve inside a tooth, the nerve becomes infected and will not recover on its own. Root canal treatment — rawatan saluran akar — removes the infected tissue, disinfects the canal and seals it, which lets you keep a tooth that would otherwise have to come out. It usually takes one to three visits depending on the tooth.
When this is usually needed
- Throbbing pain that keeps you awake at night
- Pain that lingers for minutes after something hot or cold
- A tooth that hurts to bite on
- Swelling of the gum or face near a tooth
- A tooth that has turned darker than its neighbours
What happens, step by step
Diagnosis
X-ray and testing to confirm the nerve is the source, because facial pain has several possible causes.
Numbing and isolation
Local anaesthetic, then a rubber dam to keep the tooth dry and clean during treatment.
Cleaning the canals
The infected tissue is removed and the canals are shaped and disinfected.
Medication between visits
For an infected tooth a dressing is placed and the tooth is sealed temporarily.
Filling and sealing
The canals are permanently filled and the tooth is rebuilt.
Protecting the tooth
Back teeth usually need a crown afterwards, because a root-treated tooth is more brittle. That is a separate fee and we will tell you before we start, not after.
Before any treatment
This treatment may not be suitable for every patient. Whether it is appropriate for you depends on an examination at the clinic. Before we begin, we will assess your teeth and gums, take an updated medical history, explain the available options, and obtain your consent. Nothing on this page is a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation for your individual case.
Aftercare
- Tenderness to bite for a few days is normal while the ligament around the root settles.
- Chew on the other side until the tooth is permanently restored.
- A temporary filling is not built to last — do not delay the next appointment, because the seal is what keeps bacteria out.
- Come back sooner if swelling develops or pain increases.
Common questions
Is root canal treatment painful?
The reputation comes from the toothache people arrive with, not the treatment. With the tooth properly numb, treatment is comparable to having a filling, though it takes longer. Most people report the pain they came in with settling afterwards.
How much does root canal treatment cost in Malaysia?
Here the indicative fee is RM 500–1,200, depending on the tooth. A front tooth has one canal and sits at the lower end; a molar can have three or four and sits at the upper. A crown afterwards is a separate fee.
Should I just have the tooth out instead?
That is a legitimate choice and sometimes the sensible one. Extraction is cheaper on the day, but replacing the tooth later usually costs more than the root canal would have. We will give you both figures and let you decide.
How long will the tooth last afterwards?
A root-treated tooth that is properly sealed and protected — usually with a crown on a back tooth — can last many years. Most failures come from the tooth fracturing later, not from the root filling.
How many visits will it take?
One to three. A tooth with active infection generally needs at least two, with a dressing in between.
Related treatments
- Tooth filling — Tampal gigi
- Crowns & bridges — Mahkota gigi
- Emergency dentist — Sakit gigi