Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment removes the infected or inflamed nerve from inside a tooth, cleans and seals the canals, so the tooth can be kept instead of extracted.

$500 front tooth $650 premolar $1,000 molar

CHAS-claimable, up to 2 a year Flexi-MediSave for patients 60+ Fees incl. GST

Book an assessment Fees and CHAS subsidy

Woman holding her cheek with toothache and a glass of water

Reviewed by Dr Samuel Ong Jien Woon, BDS (Singapore), Clinic Director Last reviewed 4 November 2026 General information, not a diagnosis

Signs you may need a root canal

Toothache that lingers after hot or cold, or wakes you at night

Pain on biting or chewing

Swelling or a pimple-like bump on the gum near a tooth

A tooth that has darkened after an injury

Deep decay or a large filling close to the nerve on an X-ray

Sometimes there are no symptoms and the infection is found on a routine X-ray. Only an examination and X-ray can confirm whether root canal treatment is needed.

Why the nerve becomes inflamed or infected

Pulpitis (inflammation) Bacteria reach the pulp through deep decay or a crack, or after repeated large fillings. The pulp is enclosed in hard tooth, so swelling raises the pressure inside and causes pain.

Nerve death and abscess Left untreated, bacteria multiply in the dead pulp and spread out of the root tip into the bone, forming an abscess that can cause swelling and bone loss.

Fees and subsidies

Tooth	Our fee (incl. GST)	MOH fee benchmark	Max CHAS subsidy (Orange / Blue / MG / PG)
Front tooth (incisor, canine)	$500	$400 – $775	$217.50 / $326.00 / $331.00 / $336.00
Premolar	$650	$500 – $900	$308.50 / $462.50 / $467.50 / $472.50
Molar	$1,000	$872 – $1,400	$389.50 / $584.50 / $589.50 / $594.50

Fees exclude the core build-up, crown and any additional fillings, which are quoted separately before you decide. CHAS subsidy is claimed when the root canal is completed and shown on your itemised bill.

Worked example: CHAS Blue, molar Fee $1,000 CHAS subsidy up to $584.50 You pay $415.50 Aged 60 or above? Up to $400 of Flexi-MediSave can reduce the cash payment further.

What treatment involves

Dentist explaining a tooth model to a patient

AssessmentExamination and X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and check the shape of the roots.

Anaesthetic and isolationThe tooth is numbed and isolated with a rubber sheet to keep it dry and clean.

Cleaning and shapingThe pulp is removed and the canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected. One or two visits depending on the diagnosis: an infected tooth or abscess gets a medicated dressing and the canals are filled at a second visit.

Filling the canalsThe canals are sealed with a rubber-based filling material and the opening is closed with a temporary or permanent filling.

Restoring the toothA core build-up and crown protect the cusps. We recommend the crown as early as one week after the root canal is completed.

Recovery

Days 1–2Tenderness on biting, some sensitivity, and jaw soreness from keeping the mouth open.

Days 3–4Noticeable improvement as the inflammation settles.

Days 5–7Minimal discomfort and normal function.

Eat soft foods for 2 to 3 days and chew on the other side until the permanent restoration is placed.
If you need pain relief, ask your dentist, who will take your other medicines and any allergies into account.
Contact us if swelling increases, pain is severe, or the temporary filling comes out.

Why a crown is recommended afterwards

Protects the cuspsA treated tooth is more brittle and its cusps can split. A crown covers them and holds the tooth together.

Timing mattersThe longer the tooth is unprotected, the greater the risk of a fracture that makes it unrestorable.

Seals the toothA well-fitting crown reduces the chance of bacteria leaking back into the canals.

Restores chewingYou can bite normally without worrying about the tooth splitting.

The crown is quoted separately at your consultation. Permanent crowns are CHAS-claimable and eligible for Flexi-MediSave for patients aged 60 and above.

Keeping the tooth or extraction

Where the tooth is restorable, root canal treatment and a crown keep your natural tooth, preserve the surrounding bone, avoid surgery and usually cost less than extraction followed by an implant. This matters more if you take bisphosphonate or other anti-resorptive medication, have had head and neck radiotherapy, are immunocompromised, or have diabetes that is not well controlled. If the tooth is cracked through the root or has too little structure left, extraction may be the realistic option, and we will tell you.

Questions patients ask

How much is a root canal at Toothsmith?

$500 for a front tooth, $650 for a premolar and $1,000 for a molar, inclusive of GST, within the MOH fee benchmark ranges. The core build-up and crown are quoted separately.

Is root canal treatment covered by CHAS?

Yes, up to 2 per calendar year across all tooth types. For a molar the cap is $584.50 (CHAS Blue), $389.50 (CHAS Orange), $589.50 (Merdeka Generation) and $594.50 (Pioneer Generation). Permanent crowns are also CHAS-claimable.

Can I use MediSave for a root canal?

Standard MediSave cannot be used. If you are aged 60 or above, Flexi-MediSave allows up to $400 a year towards root canal treatment and permanent crowns, on top of any CHAS subsidy.

Does a root canal hurt?

It is done under local anaesthetic and should not be painful; it relieves the pain from the infected nerve. Mild to moderate tenderness on biting is normal for 2 to 4 days. If you need pain relief, ask your dentist.

How many visits does it take?

One or two, depending on the diagnosis. The crown is then made over a further one or two visits.

What happens if I leave an infected tooth untreated?

The infection can spread into the bone around the root tip and form an abscess, causing swelling and bone loss. The tooth may eventually need extraction.

Questions about a painful tooth?

Book an assessment. You will see the X-ray, hear the options and know the fee before anything is done.

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