CBAHI Accredited
EN · AR Book Appointment
05 · Endodontics

Save your natural tooth.

A root canal isn't a death sentence for your tooth — it's a chance to save it. Under the microscope, with flexible nitinol files, and in most cases in a single visit. American Board-certified specialist (ABE) — and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Journal of Endodontics.

Direct answer

Root canal therapy saves a tooth infected by deep decay or trauma without extraction. At AQUA Dent Clinics in Jeddah, every root canal is performed under the Zeiss Extaro 300 surgical microscope at 25× magnification to reveal hidden canals and raise success rates above 90%.

Visits 1-3 sessions (average 2; anterior teeth often completed in a single visit)
Duration 60-120 minutes per session; total treatment completes within 1-3 weeks
Price range 1,100 – 3,500 SAR
What changes price Range covers all cases (anterior, premolar, molar, and re-treatment). Final fee depends on canal count and anatomical complexity. Crown after RCT is additional, SAR 3,500-5,000.

Who this treatment is for

  • Severe persistent tooth pain
  • Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold
  • Deep decay reaching the pulp
  • Re-treatment of previously failed root canals
  • Fractured tooth with pulp exposure

When this treatment isn't ideal

  • Non-restorable tooth (vertical root fracture)
  • Complete loss of bone support
  • Patients preferring extraction + implant for cost or treatment-time reasons

Risks & limitations

  • Treated tooth fracture if not crowned (crown is recommended)
  • Recurrent infection (rare with microscope)
  • Discoloration of treated tooth (managed with internal bleaching)
  • Instrument fracture inside canal (rare; identified and managed under microscope)

Alternatives

  • Extraction + dental implant
  • Extraction + traditional bridge
  • Endodontic re-treatment if previous treatment failed
Comparison

Microscope-Assisted Root Canal vs Standard Root Canal

Reviewed by AQUA specialists · see doctor profile

CriterionMicroscope-Assisted RCT (Zeiss Extaro 25×)Standard Root Canal
Visibility25× magnification + LED illuminationNaked eye + general light
Hidden accessory canals detectedYes — 95%+Often missed
Root crack detectionExcellentVery limited
5-year success rate90-95%70-80%
Retreatment of failed casesHighly effectiveLimited (often requires extraction)
Number of sessions1-3 sessions2-4 sessions
Time per session60-120 minutes45-75 minutes
Price in Jeddah 2026 (SAR)1,500-3,500 (included at AQUA)1,000-2,500
Case documentation (4K)Yes — built-in cameraNo
Led by

Dr. Obadah Austah

ABE Diplomate · UTHSCSA · KAU Faculty · JoE Scientific Advisory Board

American Board-certified endodontic specialist, graduate of UT Health San Antonio, and faculty member in the Department of Endodontics at King Abdulaziz University. His research is published in the Journal of Endodontics and PLOS ONE, and he leads complex cases and retreatment.

Read profile Book an endodontic consultation
Watch

"The wedding stress or the toothache?"

A full 37-minute lecture by Dr. Obadah Austah explaining when a tooth can be saved with a root canal, when treatment fails, and when an implant is the right call. Trusted viewing before any drilling decision.

@aquadentistry on YouTube

Treatments

What we offer.

01

Single-Visit Root Canal

When indicated — diagnosis, cleaning, and obturation of the root canal in a single appointment, under the microscope, with effective local anesthesia. One to two hours.

Duration60–120 min
Visits1 (most cases)
02

Endodontic Retreatment

For failed prior treatment or recurring infection — removal of old filling material, meticulous cleaning under the microscope, and fresh obturation. The tooth is saved in roughly 80% of cases per the literature.

Visits2–3
Success~80%
03

Regenerative Endodontics

For immature teeth in children and teens — a specialist procedure that allows continued root development while preserving tooth vitality. A precise sub-specialty.

AgesChildren · teens
Unique toSpecialist
04

Apicoectomy

When conventional treatment isn't enough — a microsurgical procedure to remove and seal the infected root tip. Under 45 minutes, with rapid healing.

Duration45 min
Healing1–2 weeks
05

Dental Trauma Management

Crown fracture, root fracture, partial or full avulsion — evidence-based emergency protocols to save the tooth after an accident.

UrgencySame day
CallWhatsApp
06

Complex Pain Diagnosis

When tooth pain doesn't respond to standard treatment — a specialist assessment that distinguishes between pulpal pain, facial pain, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain.

Consultation45 min
ReferralIf needed
Your visit

What happens during a root canal.

01

Diagnosis

Exam + X-ray + pulp vitality test → confirmation that treatment is needed.

02

Anesthesia

Effective local anesthesia — most patients find it more comfortable than a regular filling.

03

Cleaning & obturation

Removal of infected tissue, microscopic cleaning of the canals, and obturation with bioceramic materials.

04

Restoration

A crown or large filling to protect the tooth — referred to our prosthodontics team in the same clinic.

What patients say

Verified Google reviews

4.8 · 284 reviews

★★★★★

Dr. Obadah is the best! He is honest and truly dedicated to his work. He has a gentle hand and makes you feel comfortable during the session. Highly recommended! The clinic has a very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.

Roba H · a year ago
★★★★★

عملت عصب عند د. عبادة أسطه. ماشاء الله تبارك، يده خفيفة جداً وسريع ومتمكن. هو استشاري عصب وجذور أسنان — أي شخص يبغى يعمل عصب يروح عنده وهو مغمض.

majed alsulami · 8 months ago

Curated from 284 Google reviews · 4.8 ★ average

Advanced procedure

Root canal for a transplanted tooth — part of tooth autotransplantation.

When we transplant a donor tooth (such as a healthy wisdom tooth) into a missing-tooth site, the transplanted tooth sometimes needs prophylactic root canal therapy at week 2–4 to prevent pulp necrosis — especially when the donor has a closed root apex. Dr. Obadah Austah leads this delicate phase as part of AQUA's tooth-autotransplantation team.

See the tooth autotransplantation protocol →
Common questions

What patients ask about.

Is root canal treatment painful?

No — that's a common myth. The pain that drives you to treatment comes from the inflamed nerve. During treatment, modern local anesthesia makes it less painful than a deep filling. After treatment, there may be mild sensitivity for a couple of days, managed with a light pain reliever.

How many sessions does root canal treatment take?

Most cases are completed in a single session (60–120 minutes). Complex cases or retreatments may need 2–3 sessions. Specialization and the surgical microscope reduce the number of sessions.

What if the root canal fails?

Initial success rate is 90%+ with a board-certified endodontist. If it fails, the options are: retreatment (80% success), apical surgery, or extraction and replacement with an implant. There's no final verdict until every option has been explored.

Is root canal treatment a substitute for extraction?

Always — a natural tooth remains better than any artificial replacement, however high its quality. Implants are excellent as a replacement after loss, but preserving the natural tooth is always the first option.

How much does root canal treatment cost?

Pricing depends on the tooth (anterior / posterior), number of canals, and whether it's a new treatment or retreatment. Full pricing is presented after diagnosis — no surprises.

Plan ahead

Three free tools before you book.

Don't delay

Tooth pain isn't temporary — and you can't "get used to" it.

Early diagnosis improves the odds of saving the tooth. If you've had severe pain or heat sensitivity for days, book today.

Book Appointment Emergency · WhatsApp
Endodontics technology at AQUA

Every root canal at AQUA is performed under the Zeiss Extaro 300 surgical microscope at up to 25× magnification — revealing hidden canals and root cracks invisible to the naked eye. Planmeca Viso G7 3D imaging for pre-surgical diagnosis, and the Waterlase iPlus laser for canal disinfection.

See all technology →
Next service — Imaging Center →
Glossary

Endodontic glossary

Dental pulp
The living tissue inside a tooth — nerves and blood vessels. Inflammation or infection causes pain, and that's when root canal treatment is needed.
Root canal
The space inside the tooth root containing the pulp. Front teeth have 1, premolars 1–2, molars 3–4 canals.
Accessory canal
Tiny side branches off the main canal. Hard to find without a microscope — a major cause of failed treatments.
Gutta-percha
A natural latex material used to fill the canal after cleaning and disinfection. Flexible, inert, and stable long-term.
Endodontic retreatment
Treating a tooth that had a previous root canal that failed (recurrent abscess, ongoing pain). Requires precise removal of the old filling without breaking the tooth.
Apicoectomy
Minor surgery to remove the inflamed root tip from outside when it can't be reached through the crown. A last resort before extraction.
Regenerative endodontics
A modern technique that stimulates pulp healing and regeneration in immature teeth (children and teens). Requires consultant-level skill.
Pulp capping
A conservative treatment — placing medication on the pulp instead of full root canal, when decay is near but the pulp is still healthy.
Apexification
A specialized treatment for immature permanent teeth (in children) aimed at inducing a calcified barrier at the open root apex. A precursor to conventional root canal therapy.
Internal bleaching
Whitening a single discolored tooth after root canal — bleaching material placed inside the crown under the filling. Succeeds in 80% of cases without needing a veneer.
Pulp vitality test
A test that measures nerve response to thermal (cold, hot) or electric stimuli to determine if the pulp is vital or necrotic. The basis for "RCT or not" decisions.
Cracked tooth syndrome
A microscopic crack invisible on X-rays, causing pain on biting or release. Diagnosed with stain + bite test. Treatment: a crown before the crack reaches the root.
Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂)
A medical paste placed inside the canal between sessions to eliminate bacteria. Also used for pulp capping and apexification in immature teeth.
Ultrasonic irrigant activation
A modern technique using ultrasonic waves to activate the irrigant inside the canal, penetrating accessory canals 3–5× more effectively.

See the full dental glossary →

Compare your options

Microscope-assisted vs conventional root canals

The difference isn't cosmetic — it's a difference in long-term success rates:

Microscope-assisted

  • ✓ 4×–25× magnification reveals accessory canals
  • ✓ 90–95% long-term success rate
  • ✓ Re-treatment of previously failed cases possible
  • ✓ Deeper, more precise cleaning
  • ✗ 30–50% higher cost
  • ✗ Slightly longer chair time (+45–60 min)

Conventional (no microscope)

  • ✓ Lower cost
  • ✓ Faster
  • ✗ 70–80% long-term success rate
  • ✗ Accessory canals may be missed
  • ✗ Difficult to retreat failed cases
  • ✗ Less precise manual cleaning
Safety & risk management

Known risks and how we prevent them.

Root fracture during procedure

Very rare with consultant + microscope. Prevention: pre-op CBCT planning, flexible NiTi files, and evaluation of root-wall thickness.

Treatment failure (recurrent abscess)

Occurs in 5–15% within 5 years. Prevention: post-op X-ray confirming all canals filled, crown placement (not just filling) within 4–6 weeks to prevent bacterial leakage.

Tooth fracture post-treatment

A root-canalled tooth is more brittle. Prevention: ceramic crown within a month — not just a filling. Plus a night guard if grinding is present.

Investment & payment

Full transparency before any treatment begins.

At the first consultation you receive a written, signed quote for each treatment plan — number of sessions, materials, technicians and lab, warranty period, and installment options. No surprise costs later.

We accept: cash, Visa, Mastercard, Mada, Apple Pay, and MyFatoorah. Installment plans up to 12 months are available through MyFatoorah on most treatment plans.

Insurance policy: AQUA does not bill insurers directly. We prepare all receipts, treatment reports, and X-rays in the standard format your insurer accepts so you can submit a reimbursement claim yourself.

Your specialists

Meet the specialists who perform this procedure

Bilingual consultant team combining international board certifications with academic backing from King Abdulaziz University.

Patient cases · Before & After

Real cases from this service

A few representative cases. All photos and details published with the patient's written consent. Click any case to see the full before/after on the doctor's Instagram.

View all endodontics cases →
Author & clinical reviewer

Endodontics (Microscope-Assisted Root Canal)

Author
Dr. Obadah Austah
Endodontics

Dr. Obadah Austah — consultant endodontist and Journal of Endodontics editorial board member. Microscope-assisted root canals in Jeddah.