Treatments
Fillings, crowns and root canals
Repairing decayed, cracked or worn teeth with tooth-coloured materials, and saving teeth that would otherwise be lost.
Most teeth can be saved. A small cavity needs a filling, a cracked or heavily filled tooth may need a crown, and an infected nerve needs root canal treatment. We explain why we recommend each one, and what happens if you wait.
What it includes
- Tooth-coloured composite fillings, bonded to the tooth
- Crowns made by a local dental laboratory, matched to your shade
- Root canal treatment under magnification
- Replacing old amalgam fillings when they fail
- A written quote for anything beyond a filling
Afterwards
- Avoid chewing on the numb side until the feeling returns, usually two to three hours.
- A tooth can be tender for a few days after a root canal. Over-the-counter pain relief, taken as directed on the pack, usually helps.
- A tooth that has had a root canal is more brittle. We usually recommend a crown afterwards for back teeth.
Step by step
What to expect.
- 1
Diagnose
Examination and an X-ray of the tooth, with the options explained.
- 2
Quote
A written cost per item, so you can check it with your medical aid.
- 3
Treat
Done under local anaesthetic. Crowns take two visits about two weeks apart.
- 4
Review
A short check after root canals and crowns, included in the fee.
Questions
Fillings, crowns and root canals: your questions.
Is a root canal painful?
The treatment itself is done under local anaesthetic and should feel much like a filling. The pain people associate with root canals usually comes from the infection beforehand.
Should I replace my old silver fillings?
Only if they are failing: cracked, leaking or with decay underneath. Removing sound amalgam fillings is not recommended just for appearance.
How long does a crown last?
Commonly ten to fifteen years or more with good care and regular check-ups. Grinding and very hard foods shorten that.
Ready when you are.
Book online in a minute, or call and talk to Carla. Same-day slots for anything urgent.