Root canal: the number of canals sets the price and the visits
A root canal cleans and seals the canals inside a tooth's roots when the nerve is inflamed or has died. A tooth with one canal starts from 1,200,000 VND, final after the exam and X-ray. Back teeth have more canals, cost more and usually take 2 to 3 visits.
- from 1,200,000 VNDper tooth
- A 60-minute first visit
- Back teeth usually take 2 to 3 visits
- Dr Hà My
Starting prices, item by item
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| One canal (front tooth) | from 1,200,000 VNDper tooth |
| Several canals (back tooth)Quoted by the number of canals after an X-ray | Quoted after the exam |
Not included
- The crown after treatment
- X-rays
What happens in the chair
- Exam and X-rayFirst visit 60 minutesThe dentist asks how the tooth hurts, taps it, tests it with cold, then takes an X-ray to count the canals and look at the roots. You get a quote by number of canals before treatment.
- Anaesthetic and isolationYou get a local anaesthetic, then a rubber dam (a thin rubber sheet around the tooth) keeps it dry and clean. You can breathe and swallow as normal.
- Cleaning the canalsThe dentist opens the tooth, removes the inflamed nerve, then cleans and shapes each canal with fine files, rinsing many times. Raise a hand to pause at any point.
- Dressing or sealingBack teeth: 2 to 3 visitsA tooth with few canals may be sealed straight away. Back teeth are usually dressed with medicine and a temporary filling, then sealed at the next visit.
- Final filling or crownOnce the canals are sealed, the dentist fills the top of the tooth. A treated back tooth is often advised to have a crown; the dentist explains why and quotes it separately.
Who needs it, and who may not
A dentist considers root canal treatment when a tooth aches on its own, aches at night, stays sensitive long after something hot or cold, when an X-ray shows a problem at the root tip, or when decay has reached the nerve. Not every twinge means the nerve is affected; many teeth only need a filling. The dentist decides after an exam and X-ray, never from a description online.
Sometimes a tooth is too broken down, a root is cracked along its length, or too much bone has been lost around it, and a root canal is no longer a sensible option. The dentist tells you plainly and sets out the alternatives.
What affects the price
The starting price of 1,200,000 VND per tooth applies to a tooth with one canal, usually a front tooth, on the price list of 4 October 2026, final after the exam. Back teeth can have three or four canals and are quoted by the number of canals once the X-ray is taken. Curved or calcified canals, or a tooth that has had a root canal before, add time and cost. Root canal visits and cost explains this in more detail.
What is not included
The crown after treatment is not included. If the dentist advises one, the prices are on the crowns page. X-rays are charged separately. A root canal needs no deposit.
Who does it
Dr Trần Hà My, BS.CKI (specialist level I, a postgraduate clinical qualification in Vietnam), root canal treatment and children’s dentistry, 10 years in practice, practising licence no. 000074/HCM-GPHN (fictional). She works Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and follow-up visits are booked on those days. She explains in Vietnamese. See Dr Hà My’s profile.
How long it takes
The first visit is 60 minutes. A front tooth with one canal may be finished in one or two visits. Back teeth usually take 2 to 3 visits, spaced as the dentist advises depending on the inflammation. Between visits the tooth has a temporary filling, so avoid chewing hard food on that side. If your face swells, you get a fever, or pain keeps increasing between visits, phone 0963 929 241 in opening hours; out of hours call 115 or go to the nearest emergency department.
You can book a first visit with Dr Hà My. The clinic phones to confirm within 2 working hours.
Your dentist for this
Questions about this service
Does a root canal hurt?
You get a local anaesthetic before treatment. It feels different for each person: many feel only vibration and numbness; a badly inflamed tooth sometimes needs more anaesthetic. The tooth may be tender when you bite for a few days afterwards.
Why do back teeth need more visits?
Back teeth often have several canals, which can be narrow and curved. Splitting the work lets the dentist clean each canal carefully and check before sealing.
Do I need a crown afterwards?
Not always. A front tooth with plenty of structure left may only need a filling. A back tooth that has lost a lot of structure is often advised to have a crown to reduce the risk of cracking. The dentist decides after examining you and says why.