SAVE YOUR NATURAL TOOTH
Root Canal Treatment
Modern, virtually painless root canal treatment to relieve toothache, clear infection and save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted — finished with a custom crown for full strength and a natural look.
Note: Any procedure should be prescribed by a dentist. First step — book your full Dental Check-Up for €60 (€0 with PRSI).
- From €450
- Pain-free technique
- 4 Irish clinics
Why root canal?
- Saves your natural tooth
- Clears infection at the source
- Stops severe toothache
- Avoids extraction & implants
- 90–95% long-term success rate
PATIENT STORIES
What Our Patients Say
RECOGNISED EXCELLENCE
Award-winning dental & denture care in Ireland
Homecare Provider of the Year Finalist 2026
Best Mobile Dental & Denture Services Provider 2026
Irish Enterprise Awards 2026
Business All-Star 8 Years
Best In Class Denture & Dental Care 2023
Irish Dentistry Awards 2020
All-Ireland Business Awards 2019
Inspiring Awards
Business All-Star 2018
Business All Stars 2018
Irish Dentistry Awards 2016
Best Dental Laboratory 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2010
CX Awards 2026 Finalist – Best CX in Healthcare
Homecare Provider of the Year Finalist 2026
Best Mobile Dental & Denture Services Provider 2026
Irish Enterprise Awards 2026
Business All-Star 8 Years
Best In Class Denture & Dental Care 2023
Irish Dentistry Awards 2020
All-Ireland Business Awards 2019
Inspiring Awards
Business All-Star 2018
Business All Stars 2018
Irish Dentistry Awards 2016
Best Dental Laboratory 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2010
CX Awards 2026 Finalist – Best CX in Healthcare
Homecare Provider of the Year Finalist 2026
Best Mobile Dental & Denture Services Provider 2026
Irish Enterprise Awards 2026
Business All-Star 8 Years
Best In Class Denture & Dental Care 2023
Irish Dentistry Awards 2020
All-Ireland Business Awards 2019
Inspiring Awards
Business All-Star 2018
Business All Stars 2018
Irish Dentistry Awards 2016
Best Dental Laboratory 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2012
ActionCOACH Award 2010
CX Awards 2026 Finalist – Best CX in Healthcare
We make dental care affordable
We accept VHI and DeCare dental insurance
We accept PRSI for Oral Exam and Scale & Polish
We don’t accept Medical Cards
We accept PRSI for Oral Exam and Scale & Polish
We don’t accept Medical Cards
Pay in 3 with Klarna
Split your treatment into 3 interest-free instalments with Klarna – quick approval at checkout.
Available at Our Clinics
Dublin South – Terenure
Dublin North – Swords
Wexford
Waterford
Dublin North – Swords
Wexford
Waterford
OVERVIEW
What is a root canal?
A root canal — also known as endodontic treatment — removes infected or inflamed pulp (the nerve tissue) from inside your tooth. The canals are then cleaned, disinfected and sealed, and the tooth is restored with a crown to bring it back to full strength.
It’s the most reliable way to save a badly decayed, fractured or infected tooth — and with modern techniques and anaesthetic, it’s no more uncomfortable than a regular filling.
Signs you may need a root canal
- Severe or throbbing toothache — especially pain that wakes you at night or radiates to your jaw and ear.
- Lingering temperature sensitivity — sharp pain to hot or cold that lasts for more than a few seconds.
- Swelling or a gum boil — a tender bump or swelling on the gum near the tooth often signals infection at the root.
- Darkening of a tooth — a tooth turning grey or brown can mean the nerve has died and needs treatment.
- Pain when biting — discomfort when chewing on a particular tooth often points to an inflamed nerve.
BENEFITS
Modern, comfortable, tooth-saving
Today’s root canal is precise, predictable and almost always pain-free — designed to keep your natural tooth for years to come.
Saves Your Natural Tooth
Root canal treatment removes infection while keeping your own tooth in place — always preferable to extraction.
Stops the Pain
Removes the inflamed nerve causing toothache, giving rapid, lasting relief from severe pain.
Modern, Painless Technique
Carried out under local anaesthetic with rotary endodontic tools — most patients say it feels like a routine filling.
Long-Lasting Results
A root canal protected by a crown can last 10–15+ years — often a lifetime with good care.
Natural Look & Function
Once restored with a crown, the tooth looks, feels and bites just like your other teeth.
Dentist-Led Care
Performed by experienced dentists across our four Irish clinics, with X-rays at every step.
PRICING
Root canal cost in Ireland
Transparent, dentist-led pricing. Final cost depends on the tooth and the number of canals — confirmed in your written treatment plan.
Anterior Root Canal
3× €150 with Klarna
or €450
Root canal treatment on an anterior (front incisor or canine) tooth.
Pre-Molar Root Canal
3× €196.67 with Klarna
or €590
Root canal treatment on a pre-molar tooth.
Molar Root Canal
3× €330 with Klarna
or €990
Complex multi-canal root canal treatment on a back (molar) tooth.
Root Canal + Crown
3× €480 with Klarna
or from €1,440
Full restoration: root canal followed by a custom zirconia or E.max crown. Flexible monthly payments with Klarna.
TREATMENT JOURNEY
Your root canal, step-by-step
From first X-ray to final crown — a clear, comfortable plan to save your tooth.
01
Consultation & X-Ray
We examine the tooth, take a digital X-ray (or CBCT scan if needed) and confirm root canal is the right treatment.
02
Local Anaesthetic
The tooth is fully numbed so you’ll feel only gentle pressure during the procedure.
03
Access & Cleaning
A small opening is made in the tooth so the infected pulp can be removed and the canals cleaned and disinfected.
04
Shaping & Sealing
The canals are shaped and sealed with a biocompatible material to prevent reinfection.
05
Temporary Filling
A temporary filling protects the tooth while it settles before final restoration.
06
Crown Placement
A custom zirconia or E.max crown is placed over the tooth to restore strength, shape and bite.
WHY IT HAPPENS
What causes the need for a root canal?
Root canals are needed when the inner pulp of the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The most common causes are:
- Deep decay reaching the nerve
- A cracked, chipped or fractured tooth
- Repeated dental work on the same tooth
- A leaking old filling letting bacteria in
- Trauma or injury to the tooth
THE PROCEDURE
The 5 stages of root canal treatment
- 1. Diagnosis & X-ray — to confirm the infection.
- 2. Local anaesthetic & rubber dam — to isolate and numb the tooth.
- 3. Access & pulp removal — the infected nerve tissue is removed.
- 4. Cleaning, shaping & sealing — the canals are sealed with gutta-percha.
- 5. Final restoration — permanent filling and, where indicated, a crown.
ROOT CANAL VS EXTRACTION
Save your tooth or remove it?
When a tooth is badly infected, you have two real choices. In almost every case, keeping your natural tooth is better long-term.
RECOMMENDED
Root Canal Treatment
From €450 — keeps your natural tooth
- Saves your natural tooth — no gap to fill
- Stops infection and toothache permanently
- 90–95% long-term success rate
- Tooth restored with a crown lasts 10–15+ years
- Lower total cost than extraction + implant
- No bone loss in the jaw
Extraction (Then Implant or Bridge)
From €150 extraction, but €1,800+ to replace
- Faster initial appointment
- Leaves a gap — adjacent teeth shift over time
- Bone in the jaw shrinks within 6 months
- Implant or bridge needed to restore function
- Higher total cost (€1,800–€3,000 with implant)
- Multiple visits over several months
FAQ
Root canal questions
Everything you need to know about root canal treatment, costs, recovery and crowns.
How much does a root canal cost in Ireland?
At DentalTech, root canal treatment is priced at €450 for an anterior (front) tooth, €590 for a pre-molar and €990 for a molar. A root canal followed by a crown — usually recommended on back teeth — starts from €1,440 in total, with flexible Klarna monthly payments available. 20% Med 2 tax relief is available on root canal treatment in Ireland.
Is a root canal painful?
No — modern root canal treatment is essentially painless. The tooth is fully numbed with local anaesthetic, and most patients say it feels similar to having a routine filling. The severe toothache that brings most people in is usually relieved straight away.
How do I know if I need a root canal?
Common signs you may need a root canal include persistent or throbbing toothache, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when biting or chewing, swelling or tenderness in the gum, a small pimple-like bump on the gum, tooth darkening, or a deep cavity. A clinical exam and X-ray at DentalTech will confirm whether root canal treatment is needed.
Why do I need a crown after a root canal?
After a root canal, the tooth becomes more brittle and is at higher risk of fracture. A crown — usually zirconia or E.max — covers and protects the tooth, restoring full strength, shape and bite. On back teeth a crown is almost always recommended.
How long does a root canal take?
Most root canals are completed in one or two appointments of 60–90 minutes each, depending on the tooth and number of canals. A front tooth with a single canal is usually quicker, while molars with three or four canals take longer. The crown, if needed, is fitted at a follow-up visit.
What is the recovery time after a root canal?
Most patients return to normal daily activities the same day or next day. Mild tenderness or sensitivity when biting is normal for 2–3 days and is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen. Full healing of the surrounding tissues usually takes 1–2 weeks. Avoid chewing hard foods on the treated tooth until your permanent crown is fitted.
What are the side effects of root canal treatment?
Short-term side effects can include mild soreness, tenderness when biting, slight gum swelling and temporary jaw stiffness from keeping the mouth open. These typically settle within a few days. Less commonly, a small flare-up of infection can occur, which is treated with antibiotics or a quick follow-up visit.
Are there any long-term side effects of root canal treatment?
Long-term, a root canal-treated tooth is generally safe and functions like any other tooth. The main long-term considerations are that the tooth becomes more brittle, and very rarely the treatment can fail and need re-treatment or an apicectomy. There is no credible scientific evidence linking root canals to systemic illness.
How is a root canal infection treated?
An infected tooth is treated by removing the infected pulp, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the root canal system, and sealing it to prevent bacteria returning. If there’s significant swelling or an abscess, antibiotics may be prescribed alongside treatment. Once the infection clears, the tooth is restored with a filling and usually a crown.
How long does a root canal last?
A root canal protected by a well-fitted crown can last 10–15+ years, and often a lifetime with good oral hygiene and regular check-ups.
Root canal vs extraction — which is better?
Saving your natural tooth with a root canal is almost always preferable to extraction. Losing a tooth can lead to bone loss, shifting of nearby teeth and the need for an implant or bridge — which usually costs more in the long run.
Is root canal treatment covered by insurance or PRSI?
We accept VHI and DeCare dental insurance, and most plans contribute towards root canal treatment. PRSI does not cover root canals directly, but 20% Med 2 tax relief is available on the full cost.
What happens if I don’t treat an infected tooth?
An untreated infected tooth can lead to abscess, spreading infection, bone loss and ultimately tooth loss. Pain will usually worsen, and treatment becomes more complex and expensive the longer it’s left.
Can a root canal fail?
Modern root canals have a success rate of around 90–95%. In rare cases re-treatment or a small surgical procedure (apicectomy) may be needed. Placing a crown promptly after treatment significantly reduces the risk of failure.
In pain? Book a root canal consultation
Same-week emergency appointments available across our four Irish clinics. Save your tooth and stop the pain.