Question 1

What kind of toothache usually means the nerve is involved?

Accepted Answer

Pain that lingers for more than a few seconds after hot or cold, throbbing that wakes you at night, pain that starts on its own or a tooth that hurts to bite on usually points to an inflamed or infected nerve. A short, sharp twinge that stops as soon as the cold is gone is more often sensitivity or a small cavity. A cold test and an X-ray tell the difference, so book an examination rather than guessing.

Question 2

Why does my tooth hurt more with hot drinks than cold ones?

Accepted Answer

Pain from heat that builds and lingers is a classic sign that the pulp inside the tooth is badly inflamed or starting to die. Some people even find cold water relieves it for a moment. This pattern rarely settles by itself and usually needs root canal treatment or, if the tooth cannot be saved, extraction. Have it tested soon, before an abscess forms.

Question 3

Is sensitivity to cold always a sign I need a root canal?

Accepted Answer

No. Most cold sensitivity comes from exposed dentine, receding gums, worn enamel, tooth grinding or a recent filling, and it is treated with desensitising toothpaste, fluoride varnish or bonding over the exposed area. A root canal is only considered when the pain lingers, gets worse over time or tests show the nerve is irreversibly damaged. Start with the simple fixes your dentist suggests.

Question 4

What does a small pimple on the gum above a tooth mean?

Accepted Answer

It is usually a drainage point for an abscess at the root tip, called a sinus tract or gum boil. It often does not hurt because the pus has an exit, but the infection is still there and can damage the bone. It does not clear with antibiotics alone; the tooth needs root canal treatment, retreatment or extraction. Book an examination with an X-ray.

Question 5

Is a tooth abscess dangerous even when it does not hurt?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An abscess that does not hurt can still destroy bone around the root and spread to nearby tissues. Pain often stops simply because the nerve has died or the pus is draining. If you notice facial swelling, fever, swelling towards the eye or neck, or any difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to a hospital emergency department immediately. Otherwise, arrange a dental examination within days.

Question 6

My front tooth is turning grey after a knock. Does it need a root canal?

Accepted Answer

Often, but not always. A tooth that darkens after an injury may have bled inside and can recover, or the nerve may have died. The dentist tests the nerve and takes an X-ray, sometimes repeating the test after a few weeks. If the nerve has died, a root canal stops infection, and internal bleaching can then lighten the tooth without a crown.

Question 7

Will a cavity turn into a root canal if I leave it?

Accepted Answer

It can. Decay moves through the enamel and dentine towards the pulp, and once bacteria reach the nerve a filling is no longer enough. A cavity treated early usually needs only a filling; a deep one may still be saved with a protective lining. Regular check-ups catch decay before it reaches the nerve, which is the simplest way to avoid a root canal.

Question 8

Can a root-canal-treated tooth make you ill?

Accepted Answer

Mainstream dental research does not support the old idea that root-canal-treated teeth cause disease elsewhere in the body. What harms health is leaving an infected tooth untreated. A well-cleaned, sealed and restored tooth has the infection removed. If you have a specific medical condition, tell the dentist so they can plan antibiotics or timing with your doctor if needed.

Question 9

How does a dentist decide between a filling and a root canal?

Accepted Answer

The decision comes from your symptoms, a cold or electric pulp test, an X-ray and what the dentist sees once the decay is removed. If the nerve is healthy or only mildly inflamed, a filling, sometimes with a protective lining or vital pulp therapy, is enough. If the nerve is irreversibly inflamed or dead, a root canal is needed. Ask your dentist to show you the findings.

Question 10

Is it better to pull the tooth or save it with a root canal?

Accepted Answer

When a tooth can be restored, saving it is usually the first choice because it keeps your own root, bone and bite. Extraction is reasonable when the tooth is cracked down the root, too little tooth is left or gum disease has destroyed its support. If a tooth is removed, plan its replacement with an implant, bridge or partial denture so neighbouring teeth do not drift.

Question 11

Root canal and crown or an implant: which lasts longer?

Accepted Answer

Both can last many years, so the deciding factor is how predictable your own tooth is. A tooth with enough healthy structure and good bone usually does well with a root canal and crown. An implant makes more sense when the tooth cannot be saved reliably. At Creative Arts the dentist explains both routes, with the visits and steps for each, in your written plan.

Question 12

What is a microscope root canal and do I need one?

Accepted Answer

It is root canal treatment done under a dental microscope, which magnifies and lights the inside of the tooth. It helps find extra or narrow canals, hidden cracks and old filling material, and is especially useful for molars and retreatments. At Creative Arts, Dr. Marina Antoniuk and Dr. Iuliia Savitskaia carry out root canal work with the microscope as part of routine care.

Question 13

My old root canal hurts again. Can it be redone?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. Retreatment means removing the old filling material, finding and cleaning canals that were missed or reinfected, and sealing the tooth again. It often takes 1–2 visits and is done under local anaesthetic. If retreatment through the tooth is not possible, a small root-tip surgery or extraction are the alternatives. An X-ray, and sometimes a 3D scan, shows which applies.

Question 14

What is an apicoectomy and when is it chosen over retreatment?

Accepted Answer

An apicoectomy is a small surgical procedure where the infected root tip is removed through the gum and the end of the root is sealed. It is considered when retreating through the top of the tooth is not practical, for example because of a long post or a new, well-fitting crown. It is done under local anaesthetic and usually heals within a few weeks.

Question 15

Will I always need a crown after a root canal?

Accepted Answer

Back teeth usually do. Molars and premolars become more brittle after a root canal and take heavy chewing forces, so a crown or onlay protects them from splitting. A front tooth with only a small access hole and little previous damage can often be restored with a filling alone. Your dentist will base the choice on how much healthy tooth is left.

Question 16

How much is a root canal in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

There is no single published price, because the work differs a great deal between a front tooth with one canal and a molar with three or four. At Creative Arts root canal treatment is priced in your written, itemised plan after a free first consultation. The plan shows the root canal, any retreatment, core build-up or post, and the crown, so you see the full picture before you start.

Question 17

Why do root canal quotes from different clinics vary so much?

Accepted Answer

Quotes often cover different things. One may include X-rays, all visits, the temporary filling and the core build-up, while another lists only the canal cleaning and adds the crown later. Molars, retreatments and microscope work also take longer. Compare quotes line by line and ask what happens if the tooth needs an extra visit or a post.

Question 18

Does a root canal quote usually cover the crown too?

Accepted Answer

Usually not, because the crown is a separate treatment made after the canal is sealed. A clear plan lists each part on its own line: the root canal, any core build-up or post, and the crown with its material, such as zirconia or E.max. That way you can compare like with like and know exactly what each step costs before you agree.

Question 19

Where is the clinic and what are the opening hours?

Accepted Answer

Creative Arts is at 614 Jumeira St, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, and is open every day from 10:00 to 20:00. You can book by calling +971 4 342 4444 or by sending a WhatsApp message to +971 56 677 7537. If you are in pain, say so when you call so the team can look for the soonest available appointment.

Question 20

Can I send a photo of my tooth on WhatsApp before booking?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Creative Arts offers a free photo assessment on WhatsApp at +971 56 677 7537, and you can also send a picture of an X-ray you already have. A photo helps the dentist judge urgency and what to expect, but whether the nerve needs a root canal can only be confirmed with an examination, pulp testing and an up-to-date X-ray in the chair.

Question 21

I live in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. How many trips does a root canal take?

Accepted Answer

The root canal itself usually takes 1–2 visits. If the tooth needs a crown, add a visit for the scan and another to fit the crown, which the lab typically makes in 3–5 working days. Tell the team where you are travelling from so appointments can be grouped sensibly. The clinic is only in Dubai, in Jumeirah 3.

Question 22

Which dentists do root canal treatment at Creative Arts?

Accepted Answer

Root canal treatment and retreatment are carried out mainly by Dr. Marina Antoniuk, who focuses on restorative and microscopic dentistry, and Dr. Iuliia Savitskaia, who works in microscopic dentistry, root canal treatment and general care. Both use the dental microscope. You can read their profiles on the site and ask for a particular dentist when you book.

Question 23

How can I check a Dubai dentist's licence before treatment?

Accepted Answer

Every dentist practising in Dubai must be licensed by the Dubai Health Authority, and you can look them up by name in the DHA Sheryan medical directory. The listing shows their licence type and where they are registered. Creative Arts publishes each dentist's DHA details on their profile page so you can check before your appointment.

Question 24

How do I know a root canal is really needed and not an upsell?

Accepted Answer

Ask the dentist to show you the X-ray, explain the pulp test results and tell you what would happen if you waited or chose extraction instead. A genuine recommendation comes with a reason you can see. A second opinion is always reasonable. Creative Arts has a 4.8 rating on Google from 238 reviews, which you can read before you decide.

Question 25

Who makes the crown that goes on after my root canal?

Accepted Answer

Crowns for Creative Arts patients are made by Creative Art Dental Lab, a separate laboratory in the same building. The technician can see your tooth in person to match the shade under the same light as the dentist. Crowns typically take 3–5 working days, so they are not fitted on the same day; you wear a temporary in the meantime.

Question 26

Does a root canal hurt as much as people say?

Accepted Answer

For most people, no. The treatment is done under local anaesthetic, and most feel pressure and vibration rather than pain; the toothache before treatment is usually worse. The tooth may feel tender to bite on for a few days afterwards, which is normally managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Severe or rising pain or new swelling should be reported to the clinic.

Question 27

How many appointments does a root canal need?

Accepted Answer

Usually 1–2 visits of about an hour to an hour and a half each. A simple single-canal tooth may be finished in one visit, while an infected or complex molar often has medicine placed inside for a week or two before the canals are sealed. A crown, if needed, adds further visits. Your plan will show the expected number.

Question 28

How long will my lip and cheek stay numb after a root canal?

Accepted Answer

Usually two to four hours, and sometimes a little longer after a lower-jaw injection. Avoid hot drinks and chewing until the feeling returns so you do not bite or burn your lip or tongue. Numbness that lasts into the next day is uncommon and should be reported to the dentist so it can be checked.

Question 29

Will I need a day off work after root canal treatment?

Accepted Answer

Most people return to work or study the same day once the numbness wears off. You may feel tired after a long appointment, so an afternoon slot is handy if your job is physically demanding. If you have sedation, plan to rest for the rest of the day and have an adult take you home. Mild tenderness does not usually stop normal activities.

Question 30

What should I avoid eating with a temporary filling between visits?

Accepted Answer

Avoid sticky sweets, chewing gum, nuts, ice and very hard bread, and chew on the other side where you can. The temporary filling is softer than a permanent one and the treated tooth is weaker until it is restored. If the temporary falls out or the tooth breaks, contact the clinic so it can be resealed before bacteria get back in.

Question 31

What happens if my tooth breaks before the crown is fitted?

Accepted Answer

Contact the clinic, keep any piece you find and avoid chewing on that side. Whether the tooth can still be saved depends on how deep the break goes; a crack that stays above the gum can often be built up and crowned, while a split root usually means extraction. Fitting the crown soon after the root canal is the main way to prevent this.

Question 32

How long does a root-canal-treated tooth last?

Accepted Answer

A well-cleaned, sealed and properly restored tooth can last for many years and often for decades. The main reasons they fail later are new decay under the filling or crown, a crack, or leakage that lets bacteria back in. Brushing, flossing, regular check-ups and a night guard if you grind all help the tooth last longer.

Question 33

My face is swelling because of a tooth. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

If the swelling is spreading towards your eye or neck, you have a fever, or you find it hard to breathe or swallow, go to a hospital emergency department straight away. Otherwise, contact the clinic during opening hours, 10:00 to 20:00 daily. Antibiotics can calm a spreading infection, but the source still has to be treated by root canal or extraction.

Question 34

I am terrified of the dentist. Can I be sedated for a root canal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Creative Arts offers laughing gas, oral sedation and IV sedation, chosen after a review of your medical history and given and monitored by a licensed clinician. You stay breathing on your own and relaxed while local anaesthetic numbs the tooth. General anaesthesia is not given at the clinic; when it is truly needed, it is arranged in a hospital.

Question 35

Is root canal treatment safe during pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when it is needed, and leaving a dental infection untreated is a greater risk. Local anaesthetics commonly used in dentistry are considered safe in pregnancy, and X-rays are kept to the minimum needed. The second trimester is usually the most comfortable time for longer treatment, but urgent pain or infection should be treated at any stage. Tell the dentist how many weeks pregnant you are.

Question 36

Can I fly with a toothache or right after a root canal?

Accepted Answer

Flying is generally fine after a root canal once the numbness has gone. A tooth with an untreated infection or an open cavity can hurt more during flights because of pressure changes, so it is wise to have it checked before travelling. If you are visiting Dubai, tell the team your departure date so the treatment can be planned around it.

Root canal and toothache: the questions people ask before they decide

Smiles made at Creative Arts

Is my toothache a sign I need a root canal?