You know what’s funny? Just saying “root canal” makes people tense up. I see it happen in my office all the time. And honestly? I get it.
The stories people have heard… some from their parents, some from that friend who had a bad experience twenty years ago, some from who knows where online. Working as a dentist here in Bangkok, I hear these same worries whether my patient is a local Thai person, an expat who’s lived here for years, or someone who flew in specifically for dental work. Most of what they’re worried about? It’s based on outdated information or stories that have been exaggerated over time.
So let’s talk about what’s actually true. Because the root canal procedures we do today? They’re nothing like what your uncle experienced in 1985. My name is Dr. Thiti Sirikrai, and at Thantakit Dental Center, I’ve been helping patients understand their options for years. Let me share what I’ve learned.
Myth #1: Root Canals Are Extremely Painful
Okay, this one. This is the big one, isn’t it?
I had a patient last month, British guy, absolutely convinced he was about to experience medieval torture. He’d been putting off treatment for months because of the stories he’d heard. You know what he said afterward? “That was it? I’ve had more uncomfortable haircuts.”
Here’s what people don’t realize: that terrible pain that finally drives you to the dentist? That’s your infected tooth screaming for help. The root canal itself… it’s actually the thing that stops the pain. Strange how that works, right?
We use really effective numbing here in Bangkok now. At Thantakit, I start with a gel so you barely feel the injection. Then we wait. We make absolutely sure you’re numb. And look, if you feel anything during the procedure, you raise your hand and we stop. Simple as that. No heroics needed.
The equipment has changed too. Digital X-rays show me exactly what I’m dealing with before I even start. The rotary instruments we use now? They’re gentle, precise. Nothing like the old manual files from decades ago.
Can it be uncomfortable afterward? Sure, maybe for a day or two. Like when you work out after a long break and your muscles are sore. But that constant, throbbing toothache that kept you up at night? Gone. Most people manage fine with just some ibuprofen.
Dr. Thiti’s insight: “Honestly, the anticipation is almost always worse than the actual procedure. I’ve lost count of how many patients have told me they wished they’d come in sooner.”
Myth #2: Root Canal Treatment Causes Illness
This one’s weird because it just won’t die. It comes from the 1920s… the 1920s! Some theory about bacteria from root canals spreading through your body and causing arthritis, heart disease, and all sorts of problems.
It was debunked. Completely. Decades ago.
But still, I get patients, especially ones who’ve been doing late-night medical googling, who come in worried about this. Just last week, an expat teacher asked me about it. She’d read something on a wellness blog that scared her.
So, what does actual, current science say? There’s no connection. None. Studies have looked for links between properly done root canals and systemic illness. They haven’t found any. The American Association of Endodontists, dental organizations worldwide… they all agree on this.
Think about it. The whole point of a root canal is removing infection, not creating it. At our clinic in Thailand, at any decent clinic really, we follow strict sterilization protocols. Single-use instruments were appropriate. Everything sealed properly. The materials we use to fill the canal? They’re biocompatible, tested for years.
Actually, you know what’s interesting? Most patients feel healthier after a root canal. Because that chronic infection in their mouth? It’s finally gone. Their body isn’t fighting it anymore.
Now, I can’t speak for every clinic everywhere, of course. But if you’re seeing scary claims online about root canal illness? Check the source. Is it from actual dental researchers? Or is it from someone trying to sell you supplements?
Myth #3: It’s Better to Just Pull the Tooth
“Doc, can’t you just yank it out?”
I hear this a lot. Especially from dental tourists who want a quick fix before flying home. And I understand the thinking. Tooth hurts, remove tooth, problem solved. Right?
Well… not exactly.
Your natural teeth? They’re irreplaceable. I mean, yes, we can make replacements. Good ones, even. But nothing works quite like the tooth you were born with. It fits your bite perfectly. It feels right when you chew. It keeps the other teeth in line.
Pull a tooth and what happens? The neighbors start moving. Really, they do. The teeth on either side lean into the gap. The one above or below starts growing longer, looking for its partner. Your jawbone in that spot? It starts shrinking. I’ve seen faces actually change shape over time from missing teeth.
A patient from Singapore taught me something interesting. She’d had a molar pulled years ago, figured she’d get an implant later. Never did. When she came to see me, she couldn’t figure out why her other teeth had started hurting. Turns out, they’d all shifted. Her whole bite was off.
Root canal treatment saves the tooth. We clean out the infection, seal it up, put a crown on top. That tooth can last decades. I’m not exaggerating. I have patients whose root canal teeth from the 1990s are still going strong.
Cost-wise? Let’s be honest. Root canal plus crown seems expensive at first. But extraction, then implant, then crown? That’s more money, more appointments, more healing time. And implants, while excellent when needed, they’re still not your natural tooth.
Sometimes extraction is necessary. If the tooth is cracked below the gum line, if there’s not enough tooth left to save… then yes, we need to remove it. But most of the time? We can save it.
Myth #4: Root Canals Don’t Last Long
“How long before I need to do this again?”
Fair question. And you know what? Back in the day, root canals did sometimes fail. The techniques weren’t as refined. The materials weren’t as good. But now?
I treated an engineer about fifteen years ago. Root canal on a back molar. He still comes in for cleanings. That tooth? Still perfect. He jokes that it’s his strongest tooth now.
What makes them last? Two things, really. First, doing it right the first time. Getting all the infection out. Sealing it properly. At Thantakit, we use digital scanning for the crown so it fits exactly right. No high spots, no gaps.
Second thing? Taking care of it. Brush, floss, come in for cleanings. Same as your other teeth. Nothing special required.
The weird thing is, many patients tell me their root canal teeth give them less trouble than their other teeth. Maybe because once it’s properly treated and crowned, there’s less that can go wrong with it.
Dr. Thiti’s insight: “When patients ask me how long it’ll last, I tell them: with good care, probably longer than both of us.”
Myth #5: The Procedure Takes Too Many Visits
Dental tourists worry about this one. “Doctor, I’m only in Bangkok for a week…”
Twenty years ago? Yeah, root canals meant multiple visits. Clean a bit, medicate, wait, clean more. It took forever.
Not anymore.
Most root canals I do? One visit. Maybe two if the infection is severe or the tooth has complicated roots. But dragging it out over many appointments? That’s old school.
We have 3D imaging now. I can see your tooth’s whole root system before I start. No surprises. No guessing. I know exactly what needs to be done and can usually tell you whether it’s a one or two visit case right from the consultation.
Had an Australian pilot last month. Tight schedule. In Bangkok for three days between flights. We did his root canal on day one, crown prep on day two, fitted the permanent crown on day three. He flew out that evening.
Now, I’m not saying we should rush things. If a tooth needs more time, it gets more time. But for most cases? We can work with your schedule.
Myth #6: Root Canals Are Only for Adults
Parents sometimes think kids can’t get root canals. “But it’s a baby tooth, doctor…”
True, most root canals are on adult teeth. But kids? Sometimes they need them too. Usually after accidents. You’d be surprised how many teeth get damaged during sports or just kids being kids.
Baby teeth sometimes need what we call pulpectomy. Basically, a mini root canal. Why bother with a tooth that’s going to fall out anyway? Because that infected baby tooth can damage the adult tooth growing underneath. Plus, no kid should have to deal with tooth pain.
I remember this eight-year-old, terrified of dentists. His mom was more nervous than he was. We took it slowly. Explained everything with a little tooth model. Let him hold the instruments. By the end? He was telling his sister it was “actually pretty cool.”
Working with kids is different. Smaller instruments, extra gentle techniques, sometimes sedation if they’re really anxious. But the process? Same high standards as adult treatment. As a root canal specialist in Bangkok, I’ve treated patients from age six to ninety-six.
What to Expect During Root Canal Treatment at Thantakit
People feel better when they know what’s coming. So, here’s the play-by-play:
Consultation: First, we figure out what’s actually going on. X-rays, examination, discussion. I’ll show you exactly what I see and explain your options. No pressure, no rush.
Getting Numb: This is where people usually get nervous. But remember that gel I mentioned? You barely feel the injection. We wait until you’re completely numb. Test it to make sure. Only then do we start.
The Actual Work: I make a small opening in your tooth. Tiny. Then clean out all the infected stuff inside. This is what takes the most time, making sure we get everything. The rotary files make a slight whirring sound. That’s normal.
Disinfecting: Once it’s clean, we flush the canals with antibacterial solution. Really get in there. This is crucial for preventing future problems.
Filling: We fill the cleaned canals with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Seals everything up tight. No bacteria getting back in there.
Finishing Up: Temporary filling goes on top. Later, usually within a few weeks, we’ll do the permanent crown. Custom-made to match your other teeth.
After: Check-up to make sure everything’s healing well. Most people are eating normally the next day. Maybe avoiding super hard foods for a bit, but otherwise back to normal.
The whole thing happens in a clean, modern environment. Everything is either disposable or properly sterilized. We’re serious about infection control. Has to be that way.
Real Talk: Why These Myths Still Exist
So why do these myths stick around when they’re so wrong?
Fear, mostly. Dental fear often starts in childhood. Maybe you had a bad experience or heard a scary story. That stuff stays with you. I had one patient whose grandmother told her root canals were “death traps” when she was ten. She believed it for thirty years.
Movies don’t help. Root canal is Hollywood shorthand for “horrible experience.” And online? Forget it. One scary blog post gets shared a thousand times. Meanwhile, the millions of successful, painless root canals? Nobody writes about those.
The expat forums here in Thailand are interesting. Someone has a bad experience at a questionable clinic, posts about it, and suddenly everyone’s an expert on why root canals are terrible. But they’re not talking about modern treatment at reputable clinics. They’re usually talking about something that happened years ago, somewhere else, to someone’s friend’s cousin.
You know what changes people’s minds? Coming in and actually talking about it. Getting real information, not internet rumors. Seeing the actual equipment we use. Understanding what really happens.
FAQs About Root Canal Treatment in Bangkok
Let me answer the questions I get every single day:
Is root canal treatment available to foreigners or dental tourists in Bangkok?
Absolutely. We treat international patients all the time. Bangkok’s become a hub for dental tourism, and there’s a reason for that. Quality care, English-speaking staff, modern equipment, reasonable prices. At Thantakit, probably half our patients are expats or tourists. Language isn’t a problem. We can even do consultations online before you travel.
Will I need a crown after a root canal?
Usually, yes. The tooth becomes more brittle after a root canal. Without a crown, it might crack. Front teeth that don’t take much pressure? Sometimes just a filling works. But molars? They need crowns. We make them from porcelain or ceramic, matched to your other teeth. Looks natural, feels natural.
What is the cost of root canal treatment in Thailand?
Depends on the tooth, the complexity, which clinic you choose. Roughly? Root canal runs about 7,000 to 15,000 THB. Crown adds another 12,000 to 20,000 THB. Compare that to Western prices… it’s a fraction of the cost. And no surprises. I tell you the price upfront.
Is the procedure painful?
I’ll be straight with you. During the procedure? No pain. Really. The anesthesia works. Afterward? Maybe some soreness. Like a bruise. Nothing that a couple of paracetamol won’t handle. Compared to the infection pain that brought you in? It’s nothing.
What if I’m nervous about dental treatment?
Join the club. Seriously, most people are nervous. There’s no shame in it. Tell me you’re anxious and we’ll take it slower. Explain more. Take breaks. We have sedation options if you need them. Nobody’s trying to be a hero here. The goal is to get you through it as comfortably as possible.
Expert Advice from Dr. Thiti Sirikrai
After all these years doing root canals in Bangkok, here’s what I know: the myths are scarier than the reality.
Root canal treatment today is safe. It’s effective. It saves teeth that would otherwise be lost. And no, it won’t make you sick, it won’t hurt like people say, and it won’t fail in a few years if done properly.
The key? Find a dentist you trust. Ask questions. Get real information, not internet horror stories. If you think you might need a root canal, or you’re not sure what’s going on with your tooth, come talk to someone who actually knows. Whether you live here, you’re visiting for dental work, or you just want to understand your options better.
Want to discuss your situation? Have questions I haven’t covered? I’m at Thantakit Dental Center. We can figure out what’s really going on with your tooth and what makes sense for you. No myths, no exaggeration. Just honest information about your options.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re experiencing dental pain or have questions about whether a root canal might be right for you, I’m here to help. You can book a consultation at Thantakit Dental Center or reach out to our team with any concerns.
Whether you’re a Bangkok resident, an expat, or visiting Thailand for dental care, we’ll take the time to talk through your options, answer your questions honestly, and make sure you feel comfortable every step of the way.
