Filling the root canals
After cleaning and drying, it's time to fill the interior of the tooth — the empty pulp chamber and root
canals. You may not need additional anesthetic for this step. If you had a temporary filling placed, that
will be removed to allow access to the inside of the tooth. A sealer paste and rubber compound is used
to fill the tooth, followed by a dental filling to make sure the root canals are protected from saliva.
What is a Root Canal?
Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent reinfection
of the tooth and save the natural tooth. When one
undergoes a root canal, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the
inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed.
What happens during root canal treatment? Learn more about this quick, comfortable procedure that
can relieve your pain and save your natural tooth.
There’s no need to be worried if your dentist or endodontist prescribes a root canal procedure to treat a
damaged or diseased tooth. Millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year, relieving pain
and making teeth healthy again.
Inside your tooth, beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin, is a soft tissue called pulp.
This tissue contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, which help grow the root of your tooth
during its development. A fully developed tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth
continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.
A modern root canal treatment is nothing like those old sayings! It’s very similar to a routine filling and
can usually be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and
your personal circumstances. Getting a root canal is relatively painless and extremely effective. You’ll be
back to smiling, biting and chewing with ease in no time.
Saving the natural tooth with root canal treatment has many advantages:
Efficient chewing
Normal biting force and sensation
Natural appearance
Protects other teeth from excessive wear or strain
All About Root Canals
A root canal (also known as an endodontic treatment) is a serious procedure, but one that specialists
handle every day. Before engaging in any type of dental work, it’s important to know the facts about
root canals.
Does a root canal hurt?
Since patients are given anesthesia, a root canal isn’t more painful than a regular dental procedure, such
as a filling or getting a wisdom tooth removed. However, a root canal is generally a bit sore or numb
after the procedure, and can even cause mild discomfort for a few days.
How do you know if you need a root canal?
Root canals are needed for a cracked tooth from injury or genetics, a deep cavity, or issues from a
previous filling. Patients generally need a root canal when they notice their teeth are sensitive,
particularly to hot and cold sensations.
There are a few symptoms that mean you might need a root canal—
Severe pain while chewing or biting
Pimples on the gums
A chipped or cracked tooth
Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, even after the sensation has been removed
Swollen or tender gums
Deep decay or darkening of the gums
Can I go to school or work after getting a root canal?
Although you will most likely be numb for 2-4 hours following the procedure, most patients are able to
return to school or work directly following a root canal. However, it is advised against eating until the
numbness is completely gone.
How much does a root canal cost?
The cost varies depending on how complex the problem is and which tooth is affected. Molars are more
difficult to treat; the fee is usually more. Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for
endodontic treatment.
Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less expensive than the
alternative of having the tooth extracted. An extracted tooth must be replaced with an implant or bridge
to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures tend to cost
more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration.
