So, you woke up one day with a combo of unbearable toothache and headache–what could be the problem? You visit your dentist immediately and the verdict arrives. Bad news: the pulp of your tooth is inflamed due to a bacterial infection. Good news: your tooth can be saved through the root canal. Your mind is set on saving your tooth, until you hear your dentist reveals the usual cost of a root canal treatment in Singapore. You think, “Why is it so expensive?”
Reason #1: Root canal treatments require a special set of endodontic skills that require extreme levels of precision.
The best provider you can turn to for a root canal treatment are dental specialists who have the credentials in endodontics. Endodontics is a branch of dentistry that covers various conditions and diseases that affect the pulp, which are soft tissues that include blood vessels and nerves, located inside the tooth. An endodontist is a dentist that has undergone further education and training in order to diagnose and treat tooth pain complications. They are highly skilled in treating and saving teeth that are decaying or damaged severely. When you are undergoing a root canal procedure, you are paying for the special set of skills of your dental specialist.
Reason #2: Root canal treatments use equipment, materials, and tools that are not cheap.
There are various equipments, materials, and tools that are used in root canal procedures, such as barbed broach, files and reamers, gates-glidden drills, endodontic burs, excavators, Peeso reamer, root canal explorer, and high tech x-rays that captures 2D images for examining the condition of the damaged tooth. These must be of the highest quality not only to ensure that the procedure achieves the optimum results, but also to secure the safety of patients. In addition, you may need a dental crown following a root canal procedure, which is also an added cost.
Reason #3: Root canal treatments may not be a one-time dental session.
Depending on the complexity of your tooth’s condition, your visit to the dental clinic may be anywhere between one to two times or even more, specifically if you need a dental crown for your tooth. Usually, your root canal procedure takes place during the first appointment. During this time, the damaged pulp is removed from the tooth. On the succeeding appointments, your root canal is thoroughly cleaned and filled or capped with a dental crown for infection prevention. Each visit to your dental clinic will require you to shell out some cash.
Reason #4: Root canal treatments pay for the cost of running a dental practice.
Running a dental practice is expensive. Your dental provider incurs regular expenses, such as rent, staff salaries, utility bills, professional insurances on top of procuring and maintaining high grade dental equipment and tools. These are overhead costs that are also included in your bill for a root canal treatment.
Reason #5: Root canal treatment cost factor in the location of the tooth.
The location of the tooth that needs to be fixed can add more to the cost of your root canal treatment. A tooth that has more than one root is generally cheaper as compared to those who have more than one. For example, your molars will cost more than your front tooth that only has one root compared to molars that can have up to three roots. The more roots a tooth has means more work for your dentist, which racks up your expense.
Reason #6: Root canal treatments are even more expensive when done on a tooth that has a root canal.
Can root canal treatment be done on the same tooth twice? The answer is yes, definitely! Do expect that a root canal retreatment will be more expensive, particularly if you only had a dental filling before because the second treatment may require a dental crown.
What happens during a root canal treatment?
There are several steps involved in the process of the root canal treatment. Knowing what happens as your treatment progresses can also help you understand its importance and the role it plays in influencing the cost of your treatment.
Prior to your root canal procedure, you will need to undergo a physical examination and X-ray, so your dentist can accurately address your condition. Once your diagnosis has been established, your treatment plan begins.
On the day of your root canal procedure, your dentist will use anaesthesia to keep you comfortable and pain-free during the entire procedure. The cost of anaesthesia is usually included in the total price of your root canal treatment. Your dentist then begins operating on the damaged tooth to remove the infected pulp using gold standard dental equipment and tools. Your tooth is then cleaned and enlarged to add more space for the filling.
If the condition of your tooth requires a simple root canal procedure, then the entire process may be done in one go. However, if your case is more complex, then there is a higher chance that you will be back to your dental clinic for another appointment to complete the rest of your procedure that includes cleaning, filling the root canal, and restoration. This may involve the use of a dental crown, which is another expense.
How much is the cost of root canal treatment in Singapore?
On average, the complete cost of root canal treatment in Singapore can range from S$300 to S$1500 per tooth. The total cost will depend on the factors that have been mentioned previously.
Is there a way to lessen the cost of root canal treatment in Singapore?
The Singapore government’s Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) gives out dental care subsidies for Singapore citizens at participating dental clinics. This can help lessen the cost of your root canal treatment. Check with your dental provider if the subsidy can be availed for your root canal procedure as this can only qualify specific cardholders and not all dental clinics are CHAS accredited.
If you have had a root canal treatment before, remember that undergoing the procedure a second time will cost more. Be sure to practice good oral hygiene to save your finances from the high cost of this treatment.
Dennis Tan Dental
22 Malacca St., #03-01
RB Capital Building
S(048980)
Phone: +65 6438 5622
Whatsapp: +65 8874 7681