Root canal treatment - a more relaxed procedure than you might think
Specialist in the article
Revised 11/25/2022
Root canal treatment in a nutshell
- Root canal treatment means that the dentist treats an infected pulp of a tooth.
- Root canal treatment usually requires two visits to the dentist.
- Our dentist will always perform the anaesthetic so carefully that you will not feel any pain.
When do you need a root canal treatment?
The most common reason for root canal treatment is an advanced cavity that has caused the tooth core to become inflamed. Another fairly common reason is that the tooth has become decayed and infected due to an accident. The infection is caused by bacteria that have entered the tooth's root canals.
In a root canal treatment, the dentist treats the infected core of the tooth. Root canal therapy can prevent the infection from spreading and save the tooth.
This is how a root canal treatment proceeds
The actual root canal treatment usually requires two visits to the dentist. Depending on the tooth, one visit takes 50–90 minutes.
- The dentist examines your tooth and the tissues surrounding the tooth. If necessary, they will take a new X-ray.
- The dentist will carefully anaesthetise your tooth.
- The dentist will use a drill to open the chewing surface of the tooth enough to access the root canals. At this point, at the latest, they will place a protective sheet around the tooth to isolate it from the oral cavity. The dentist measures the dimensions of the root canals using a dental caliper.
- The dentist opens the root canals and widens them slightly. In between, they rinse the canals with a disinfectant rinse.
- Finally, the dentist places a root canal preparation in the canals and a temporary filling on the tooth.
- You will be given an anaesthetic if you wish, but at this stage of the root canal treatment, the tooth should be numb.
- The dentist will again place a protective cloth around the tooth, remove the temporary filling and flush the medicine out of the root canals.
- The dentist then checks the dimensions of the root canal by using a root canal meter and x-rays. Then, they place the filling in the root canals and cover the tooth.
- Finally, it is time for the x-ray. This shows that everything is as it should be in the root.
On the third visit, the dentist fills or crowns the tooth. You should have your tooth crowned if you have lost more than one wall of a crown. Crowning increases the age and durability of the tooth.
After a root canal treatment
After a root canal treatment, you can eat and drink - although immediately after the visit, it may be a bit of a challenge because of the anaesthetic.
A root-canaled tooth may be sensitive for a couple of days. The combination of anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol usually works well for toothache.
The time for a follow-up appointment is a year or so after the root canal treatment. This is when your dentist will determine whether your tooth needs further monitoring or can be declared healthy.
Root canal treatment – scared of pain?
A lot of people are nervous about root canal treatment and fear pain – for nothing. Your dentist will anaesthetise your tooth so well that the root canal treatment won't hurt. If you want, you can have an anaesthetic even if you have a numb, dead tooth.
If you're nervous about a root canal treatment, tell your dentist how you feel. All of our dentists can take dental fear into account, but we also have dentists who are specially trained in patients with dental fear. They have a wide range of relief options to alleviate dental fear.
As of March 15, 2023, the polyclinic fee does not have to be paid after more than five reception visits during the calendar year. After the fifth payment, the polyclinic fee is 0 € for visits for the rest of the calendar year.
The Kanta fee (3,90 €) will be charged for visits to Hammas Mehiläinen starting from January 1, 2025.
If you visit our clinic and do not pay for your appointment using the available payment methods, we will send you an invoice for your appointment. The invoicing fee is 5.20 €.
If the procedure is booked with a specialist dentist, the prices are increased by 30 %.
Check out Hammas Mehiläinen's flexible payment methods
| Service | Price estimate |
|---|---|
| Dental check-up | 54,00 € Without Kela reimbursement 84,00 € |
| Dental check-up for patients with dental fear | 91,00 € Without Kela reimbursement 121,00 € |
| Children and young people dental check-up The dental check-up performed by a dental specialist. Book a dental check-up for children and young people Prices 79,00–118,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 109,00–157,00 € | 79,00 € Without Kela reimbursement 109,00 € |
| Dental X-ray of the teeth and jaws | Mobile Benefit 88,00 € The price with a doctor's referral after Kela compensation is 79 €. 108,00 € Without Kela reimbursement 118,00 € |
| Tartar removal 30–45 minute appointment with a dental hygienist. Book an appointment for tartar removal Explore different payment methods Prices 118,00–165,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 138,00–195,00 € | from 118,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 138,00 € |
| Tooth jewellery application The price does not include the price of tooth jewellery. | from 68,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Dental fillings 1–3 surfaces. Prices 94,00–265,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 104,00–285,00 € | from 94,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 104,00 € |
| Ceramic filling of the tooth 1–3 surfaces. Explore different payment methods Prices 279,00–578,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 279,00–618,00 € | from 279,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 279,00 € |
| Dental ceramic crown Laboratory costs are not included in the price estimate. Explore different payment methods Prices 616,00–798,00 € | from 616,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Chipped tooth Prices 94,00–265,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 104,00–285,00 € | from 94,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 104,00 € |
| Tooth extraction Explore different payment methods Prices 109,00–754,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 119,00–794,00 € | from 109,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 119,00 € |
| Tooth whitening Price estimate given at the free consultation appointment. Book an appointment for a free whitening consultation. Prices incl. VAT Prices 101,00–455,00 € | from 101,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Whitening consultation appointment Includes an individual price estimate for teeth whitening. Book an appointment for a whitening consultation. | Free No Kela reimbursement |
| Anaesthesia | from 41,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 41,00 € |
| Irrevocable absence Prices 74,00–96,00 € | 74,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Initial assessment of sleep apnea Learn more about sleep apnea and book an appointment (in Finnish) | from 57,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 84,00 € |
| Bite guard Includes clinical work and the bite guard. Prices 638,00–685,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 695,00–742,00 € | 638,00 € Without Kela reimbursement 695,00 € |
Other related services
A dental implant replaces
Specialist dentist consultation and planning of further treatment.
Ceramic CEREC filling
More durable than conventional filling materials and a more aesthetic result.
Ceramic fillings
Modern and aesthetic ways to repair damaged teeth.
Clear aligner treatment with Invisalign aligners
Dentist consultation visit and selection of the Invisalign treatment method.
Cosmetic dental care
Can be used to alter the appearance of teeth and fix functional issues.
Dental X-ray
An important part of oral health care and an effective way to reveal oral diseases that the eye cannot detect.
Dental check-up
Assessment of oral and dental health and recommendations for further treatment.
Dental check-up for children and young people
Specialist dental check-up visit for children and adolescents.
Dental cone beam imaging
Provides highly accurate three-dimensional information on dental and jaw structures.
Dental fear
Non-urgent consultation with a dentist specialized in treating patients with dental anxiety.
Dental fillings
Filling a tooth involves removing decayed tooth tissue and replacing it with a filling material.
Dental hygienist
Provides individual advice for tending to your oral health.
Dental laminates or veneers
Can be used to correct colour defects, straighten individual teeth on the dental arch without orthodontic treatment.
Dental specialists
Are dentists who are specialised in one of the disciplines of dentistry. Specialist dentist consultation.
Dental staining removal
Dental staining removal by a dental hygienist, including soda cleaning.
Dental treatment under general anaesthesia
The most common reason for performing dental treatment under general anaesthesia is dental fear.
Dentist
Performs oral health examinations and treats oral diseases and other problems.
Dentures or false teeth
Assessment and planning of further treatment by a specialist in prosthodontics.
Emergency dental care
Emergency visit for sudden toothache, accident or other acute symptoms.
Laser teeth whitening
A gel is applied to the surface of the teeth and the effect is enhanced by light.
Massage of masticatory muscles
The massage of masticatory muscles alleviates pain in the head and jaw area.
Occlusal splints or mouth guards
Help the teeth muscles relax and protect teeth and dental structures.
Oral surgery
The examination and surgical treatment of the masticatory system and related tissues, diseases, and injuries.
Orthodontic treatment
Specialist dentist consultation to assess the need for orthodontic treatment.
Sleep apnoea oral appliance
A treatment especially for mild sleep apnoea.
Tartar removal
Removal of tartar performed by a dental hygienist, including soda cleaning.
Teeth whitening
The safest and best teeth whitening is performed by a dental hygienist or dentist.
Tooth extraction
Sometimes, a tooth is in such bad condition that it cannot be saved.
Tooth jewellery application
A dental hygienist applies tooth jewellery safely and durably.
White Spot treatment
Fading or removal of tooth discolorations.
Whitening consultation (free)
The purpose of the consultation is to identify a possible need for treatment.
Wisdom tooth extraction
Wisdom teeth usually cause problems because there is not enough space for them to erupt.
Frequently asked questions about root canal treatment
Root canal treatment: Your dentist will consider that, after root canal treatment, they can restore the crown of your tooth to its original shape.
Tooth extraction: The dentist cannot repair the crown part, there is a crack below the bone line, or the infection is very extensive and threatens to spread to other parts of the body.
Often your tooth is asymptomatic and your dentist will discover the need for root canal treatment by chance from an x-ray during a dental check-up.
Sometimes sudden symptoms indicate an infection in the root canal. For example, you may feel a sensation in your tooth:
- aching and numbness
- tenderness when you eat or touch the tooth
- a lingering sensation of a chill from being cold or hot
Root canal treatment does not hurt because our dentists carefully anaesthetise the tooth. If you want, you can also have anaesthesia even if you have a dead tooth, i.e. a tooth that is completely numb.
Root canal treatment under anaesthesia is not very common. Since there are usually two treatment sessions, root canal treatment would require two anaesthetics.
If you would like more information about dental treatment under general anaesthesia, please contact ajanvaraus@mehilainen.fi and we will tell you more.
The cost of root canal treatment varies depending on the type of treatment you have and how long it takes. Your dentist will be able to give you a price estimate on your first visit.
The price does not have to be a barrier to having a root canal treatment. At Hammas Mehiläinen, you can take advantage of different payment methods. You can pay for the root canal treatment flexibly, for example, by invoice or instalment payment.