What root canal treatment is and who it suits
Inside every tooth is the pulp, soft tissue that contains the tooth's nerve and blood vessels. Deep decay, a crack, a broken tooth or repeated dental work can let bacteria reach the pulp. The pulp then becomes inflamed and may die or become infected. If this is left untreated, infection can spread to the bone around the root tip and form an abscess.
Root canal treatment (endodontic treatment) aims to keep the tooth instead of taking it out. The dentist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, cleans and disinfects the canals inside the roots, fills them with an inert material and then seals the tooth. A treated tooth no longer has a living nerve, but it can keep working for chewing.
It is usually considered when:
- The pulp is inflamed in a way that will not settle, or it has already died
- There is an infection or abscess at the root tip
- A deep crack or fracture has exposed the nerve
- A tooth needs major restoration and its nerve is already affected
It is not right for every tooth. Some teeth have too little healthy structure left, a split root or advanced gum disease. Only an examination with X-rays can show whether a tooth can be saved.
Signs that call for an examination — and when it is urgent
Common signs of an inflamed or infected nerve include:
- Toothache that wakes you at night or throbs without a clear trigger
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers after the drink or food has gone
- Pain when biting or pressing on one tooth
- A tooth that has turned darker than its neighbours
- A small pimple-like bump on the gum that may release a bad-tasting discharge
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum near one tooth
A tooth can also lose its nerve quietly, with little or no pain. That is why a dentist sometimes finds the problem on an X-ray. If pain fades suddenly after days of throbbing, the problem has not necessarily gone away. The nerve may have died, and infection can continue.
Seek emergency care straight away, or call 911, if you have:
- Facial or neck swelling that is spreading, or swelling near the eye
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- High fever, chills or feeling generally very unwell alongside tooth pain
- Trouble opening your mouth
These can mean a dental infection is spreading. It needs to be assessed the same day. Antibiotics may sometimes be prescribed by a clinician to control a spreading infection. They do not remove the cause inside the tooth, so the tooth still needs dental treatment.
How the steps usually go, from examination to follow-up
- Examination and X-rays. The dentist asks about your symptoms, tests the tooth and takes X-rays. These show the roots, the canals and any infection at the root tip. This is also when the options are explained, including what happens if you choose extraction or no treatment.
- Anaesthesia and isolation. Local anaesthetic numbs the area. The tooth is usually isolated with a thin rubber sheet (a dental dam) to keep it clean and dry.
- Pulp removal. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth. The inflamed or infected pulp is then removed from the pulp chamber and the canals.
- Cleaning and shaping. The canals are cleaned, shaped and rinsed with disinfecting solutions along their full length.
- Filling and sealing. The canals are filled with an inert material and sealed. The opening is closed with a temporary or permanent filling.
- Final restoration and follow-up. The tooth is restored, often with a crown on back teeth. Follow-up X-rays may be suggested later to check healing.
A session usually takes 45–90 minutes. Many cases are finished in one or two visits. Teeth with active infection, curved canals or several roots may need more. Between visits, a temporary filling and medication placed inside the tooth protect it.
When a crown is advised afterwards. Back teeth (premolars and molars) take heavy chewing forces. After root canal treatment they are more likely to crack, especially if a lot of tooth structure was lost to decay. For this reason a crown is commonly advised for them. A front tooth with most of its structure intact may only need a filling. Your dentist will advise you based on how much healthy tooth remains.
Root canal treatment in Tabarbour at Arafat Dental Clinics
Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan founded Arafat Dental Clinics and has 15 years of experience in dentistry in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. He holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Damascus. He also completed courses that include:
- Microscope-Assisted Endodontics, Jordanian Academy of Dentistry (2022)
- Advanced Implantology Course, International Congress of Oral Implantologists (2018)
- Clear Aligners (Invisalign) Certification, Align Technology Academy (2020)
His work includes digital panoramic imaging, intraoral cameras and rotary endodontics under a microscope. He speaks Arabic and English.
For tooth nerve and infection problems, the clinic offers:
- Root canal treatment for inflamed or dead pulp
- Pulpotomy, which removes only the affected part of the pulp. It is often used for children's teeth when the rest of the nerve is healthy.
- Hemisection dental surgery, which may help keep part of a multi-rooted molar when one root cannot be saved
- Dental infection treatment, including tooth abscesses
The doctor's wider work covers toothache, tooth fractures, dental emergencies, children's dentistry, crowns and bridges, and implants. This means the restoration after root canal treatment can be planned at the same clinic. The clinic lists 120 published services.
Both the clinic and the doctor are verified by ClinicsJo. The doctor has 3 approved reviews with an average rating of 5, and the clinic has 2 approved reviews with an average rating of 5. The clinic opened in 2022, and the first consultation with Dr. Arafat is free.
Questions to ask the dentist before starting
- Can this tooth be saved, and what are the alternatives?
- What do the X-rays show about the roots and any infection?
- How many visits do you expect for my tooth?
- Will I need a crown afterwards, and when should it be placed?
- What should I do if pain or swelling increases between visits?
- What does follow-up involve?
- How is the cost worked out? The cost is set after the examination and explained before treatment starts.
Aftercare and realistic expectations
Tenderness when biting is common for a few days after treatment. Follow your dentist's advice on pain relief and on any medicine they prescribe.
- Avoid chewing hard food on the tooth until the final filling or crown is in place. A tooth with a temporary filling can break.
- Keep brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth.
- Contact the clinic if a temporary filling falls out, your bite feels high, or pain keeps getting worse after a few days.
- Get urgent care for spreading swelling, fever or difficulty swallowing.
Root canal treatment has a good track record, but no dentist can guarantee how any individual tooth will respond. Occasionally a tooth needs retreatment or another procedure later. Regular check-ups and a well-fitted restoration help protect the tooth.
Booking, getting there and opening hours
Arafat Dental Clinics is in Tabarbour, Amman, at Journalists Roundabout (دوار الصحفيين), Al-Tamimi Complex, first floor.
Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00. The clinic is closed on Friday.
Use the contact button on this page to book. The first consultation with Dr. Mohammad Arafat Hasan is free. If you have severe pain, mention it when booking so the clinic understands it may be urgent. For spreading facial swelling or difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 911 rather than waiting for an appointment.