What Is A Root Canal Treatment?

Julie McCabe's Root Canal Testimonial - "I felt absolutely NO PAIN! It didn't hurt one bit!"

What Is A Root Canal Treatment?

What Is A Root Canal Treatment?

Julie McCabe's Root Canal Testimonial - "I felt absolutely NO PAIN! It didn't hurt one bit!"

A root canal is a painless treatment with a high success rate that gets you out of discomfort - fast!

When a tooth has been damaged or has become heavily decayed, bacteria and plaque can start attacking the sensitive and fragile nerve of the tooth.

This can be extremely painful and must be treated as soon as possible to prevent the risk of developing an abscess.

Root canal treatment aims at stopping any pain or infection by removing the sore part of the nerve and cleaning the bacteria out of the inside of the tooth. 

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How Does Root Canal Treatment Work?

Dr. Thibaut Merit (One Of Our Root Canal Specialists) Explains How Root Canal Treatments Work

How Does Root Canal Treatment Work?

How Does Root Canal Treatment Work?

Dr. Thibaut Merit (One Of Our Root Canal Specialists) Explains How Root Canal Treatments Work

We start by taking a 3D model of your tooth so we can see exactly what is going on inside.

The treatment works by clearing the infection caused by bacteria and plaque whilst also saving the tooth which is often badly decayed or traumatised. 

To increase longevity, every tooth receives restoration on the day of treatment.

Restoring your tooth immediately after treatment reinforces the tooth's structural integrity and improves the treatment's long term outcome.

Cost Of Root Canal Treatment

Dr. Thibaut Merit Discusses The Cost Of Root Canal Treatments At 3Dental

Cost Of Root Canal Treatment

Cost Of Root Canal Treatment

Dr. Thibaut Merit Discusses The Cost Of Root Canal Treatments At 3Dental

Root canal treatment costs between €550-€800 per tooth. More information on our root canal treatment pricing can be found on our pricing page.

We also have a post on 'How Much Does Root Canal Cost?' which breaks cost down in more detail and provides information on insurance and payments plans.

Root canal treatments have a very high success rate which is evaluated at 90-95%. Dr. Thibaut Merit explains the root canal process further in this video.

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Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

Maintain Your Natural Smile

Limit The Need For Ongoing Dental Work

Most Root Canal Treatments Can Last A Lifetime

Virtually Painless

Avoid Extractions And 'Save' Your Tooth!

Stop Infection In The Root Of Your Tooth

Restore Your Smile And Prevent Tooth Discolouration

Available in our Dublin, Limerick and Galway clinics

The Root Canal Treatment Procedure

  • 1st Phase
  • 2nd Phase
  • Final Phase
  • Our Technology
  • More Information On Root Canal Treatments
1st Phase
1st Phase

1st Phase

Your dentist will first examine your tooth by taking an x-ray of the root and the infection or sometimes a scanner which is a 3D visualisation of the tooth.

This lets the endodontist know the shape of your tooth, the scale of the infection, and provide extra information relevant to the treatment.

Once this is done, you will be given a local anesthetic to ensure minimal discomfort is felt during the rest of the procedure.

2nd Phase
2nd Phase

2nd Phase

Using an operatory microscope for a perfect gesture accuracy, a small hole is then drilled onto the top of the tooth, allowing access to the infection in the root pulp.

The decayed root pulp is then cleaned out using special tools and depending on the severity of the infection, the nerve may be removed.

This is a highly technical phase and may require some time depending on the type of tooth being worked on.

Typically, a molar treatment will take more time as the volume taken by the pulp is much larger than other teeth.

Final Phase
Final Phase

Final Phase

Once cleaned, the tooth is then sterilised to prevent further infection and filled with a rubber-like material that acts as a replacement for the removed root pulp and seals off the roots.

The tooth is then either filled in with a regular cavity filling material or if the tooth has been damaged further, a dental crown is fitted on it to ensure it remains strong and doesn’t break or crack.

Our Technology
Our Technology

Our Technology

Our dentists and endodontists use the most up-to-date practices and technology to help ensure your root canal treatment is efficient and effective.

We use a CBCT scanner to take a 3D model of your tooth.

We also use a microscope for our root canal treatments, leading to a higher success rate.

More Information On Root Canal Treatments
More Information On Root Canal Treatments

More Information On Root Canal Treatments

A root canal treatment is the only option for patients to keep their tooth as the sole alternative is its the tooth removal.

It is a quiet procedure performed under local anesthesia and therefore, no pain should be expected during the treatment.

For more information on root canal treatments, check out our posts on:

What Our Patients Say

The whole experience was painless! I would not get a root canal done anywhere else!

After the procedure I was surprised that I didn't feel any pain. I was very, very happy with the treatment!

Alex Ambrose (Root Canal Treatment)
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What Our Patients Say

I would recommend if anyone needs a root canal to go to 3Dental!

I felt absolutely no pain - it didn't hurt one bit! It was an amazing experience!

Julie McCabe (Root Canal Treatment)
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Root canal testimonial - Julie McCabe - 3dental Watch Video

What Our Patients Say

The staff are what make the place.

It's a really nice, friendly atmosphere. I'd highly recommend 3Dental to my friends. Come sooner. Don't put if off for so long.

Tom Palmer
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What Our Patients Say

I would highly recommend.

I never had one problem. I'm just so happy I came here. I tell everybody. All my family. My daughter comes here now. I've everybody coming over. They're fabulous; from the minute you walk in, from reception to the dentists to everybody. I would highly recommend.

Mary Littlewood (Dental Bridge)
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What Our Patients Say

For me really 3Dental has the complete package.

Being an actor and a singer, my smile is really important to me. 3Dental really has the complete package.

Liam O'Brian
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What Our Patients Say

People look at my teeth now and say - they're amazing!

I told Peter I want a mouth full of teeth. People look at my teeth now and say - they're amazing!

Anne O'Connell (Smile In A Day)
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Root canal treatment testimonial - 3dental
Root canal testimonial - Julie McCabe - 3dental
cosmetic dentistry testimonial - tom palmer - 3dental
dental bridge testimonial - mary littlewood - 3dental
cosmetic dentistry testimonial - liam o brian - 3dental
teeth in a day testimonial - anne o'connell - 3dental

What Our Patients Say

I would recommend if anyone needs a root canal to go to 3Dental!

I felt absolutely no pain - it didn't hurt one bit! It was an amazing experience!

Julie McCabe (Root Canal Treatment)
Watch Now
Root canal testimonial - Julie McCabe - 3dental Watch Video
Root canal testimonial - Julie McCabe - 3dental

Commonly Asked Questions

How painful is a root canal?

There are many horror stories out there about root canal treatments.

Generally there is a slight discomfort with numbing of the gums but after that, you should feel very little pain.

How much does it cost to have a root canal treatment?

The anatomy of the nerves to be removed varies greatly from one tooth to another, therefore the time and techniques used to complete the procedure within the highest standards can be longer on a more complex tooth, then increasing the costs. Typically, a front tooth will take less time and cost less than a back tooth.

At 3Dental, prices range from €550 to €800 for all straightforward root canal treatments. In the case of a previously treated tooth, or when a tooth requires another specific endodontic procedure, the price may vary.

These special cases need to be assessed by an endodontist so all necessary information can be given to you prior to the treatment. 

Also, check out our post on How Much Does Root Canal Cost?

Why do I need a root canal treatment?

There are many reasons why someone may need to have a root canal treatment. It is best to discuss this with the dentist.

How long does root canal treatment take?

This length of the treatment depends a lot on the anatomy of the tooth. Some teeth, such as the front teeth have one canal where a molar can have many.

How long do they last?

The length a root canal treatment depends on the care that you give the tooth. With good oral hygiene they can save the tooth and bone structure.

How long does it take to recover from a root canal?

A mild discomfort or pain can be present for a few hours up to a few days after the procedure, although taking common painkillers before the local anesthesia wears off prevents any discomfort from coming up.

In less than 5% of cases, an endodontic flare up can happen where the tooth and gums can be sore and sometimes swollen for a week or so. This occurs randomly but very rarely, and when it does, the prognosis of the root canal treatment is not affected.

Is the tooth dead after a root canal?

When a tooth needs a root canal treatment, the nerve inside the tooth is in the process of dying. The procedure aims at removing the suffering nerve from the tooth and/or at disinfecting the tooth to remove the bacteria causing infection.

The root canal treatment allows the tooth structure to be maintained as a part of the jaw and mouth, but the nerves inside are gone, meaning that the tooth can not feel the cold anymore, for example.

Should I get a root canal or extraction?

Nothing feels or functions like a natural tooth. A root canal treatment is most of the time the only way for you to keep your natural tooth, as the only alternative is an extraction.

It is a purely medical procedure and as such, its success is a matter of balance between the quality of the treatment and the body's response to it.

Its success rate is evaluated at 90-95%, and in the rare cases the root canal treatment fails, there are still options left to keep the tooth in. 

Having a tooth extracted can lead to a lot more hassle in the long run if the tooth is not replaced with a prosthetic one. Then again, as the natural tooth failed in the first place, any prosthetic restoration, whether it is a bridge or an implant, can fail as well.

There is no ultimate bulletproof option and when in doubt, best is to discuss it with your dentist at 3Dental.

Is root canal treatment available near me?

Yes! We provide root canal treatments in each of our three clinics - Dublin, Limerick and Galway.

Book your free consultation today! We look forward to welcoming you in person soon :)

Can you perform emergency root canal treatments?

Yes. If you are in pain, give us a call and we will get you booked in as soon as we possibly can.

We will review your situation and advise accordingly.

Ready for the Next Step? Book Your Free Consultation

Our team of experienced endodontists are waiting to hear from you. Book your free consultation today.

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Recent Reviews

Deirdre Ryan

“I have been going to 3Dental since early 2018 for ongoing work. I was very impressed by the level of care I received from Dr. Thibaut Merit for root canals and crowns last year. This year, I have...”

Laura F

“I’ve never had a good experience at any dentist. Because of this I’ve put off getting dental work done and as a result have a lot of things I need to get done. I read the good reviews and finally...”

Louise Kelly

“Excellent service. I've had a lot of work done abroad due to extortionate prices Irish dentists try to charge so it's great to see an Irish company with competitive prices and top care. I had a very...”

Citywest Village

“I've visited 3Dental for a second opinion on a root canal treatment done elsewhere. I found the endodontist - Richard very professional and friendly. I am impressed by the standard of equipment in...”

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