Root canal treatment
root canal · nerve removal · endodontic treatment · tooth nerve treatment
The dentist removes the inflamed nerve from inside the tooth, cleans the canals in the roots, and seals them tightly. The tooth is saved.
For an inflamed tooth nerve, a dead nerve, or infection at the tip of the root. Sometimes before a crown.
⏱ Duration: usually 1 to 2 hours per visit, often 1 to 3 visits
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Food. Eat 1 to 2 hours before your visit. The visit is long, and eating is hard while you are numb.
- Pain. If the tooth hurts, you can take your usual painkiller. Tell the dentist what you took and when.
What to bring
- X-rays of the tooth, if you have them
How it goes
- The dentist takes an X-ray to see the roots and canals
- You get a numbing injection
- The tooth is isolated with a thin rubber sheet, so no saliva gets into the canals
- Through a small opening in the tooth, the nerve is removed and the canals are cleaned with fine tools
- The canals are rinsed with a medicated solution
- The canals are filled right away, or medicine and a temporary filling are put in until the next visit
- At the end, a check X-ray is taken
What you'll feel
- While numb: pressure and vibration, but no pain
- Keeping your mouth open for a long time is tiring. You can ask for a break
Afterwards
- For a few days, the tooth may ache when you bite. This is usual
- Take a painkiller if needed. The dentist will tell you which one
- Do not chew on that side while you have a temporary filling
- After a root canal, the tooth often needs a strong filling or a crown. Otherwise it may crack
- Go to all your visits. Unfinished treatment can end with losing the tooth
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Swelling of the cheek, gum, or under the eye that keeps getting worse
- A fever or chills
- Trouble swallowing, breathing, or opening your mouth: call emergency services right away
Common questions
Does a root canal hurt?
With modern numbing, usually not. You feel pressure. After treatment, the tooth may ache for a few days.
Why does a root canal take several visits?
If there is strong inflammation, medicine is left in the canals for a while. When it calms down, the canals are sealed.
Why do I need a crown after a root canal?
Without its nerve, a tooth becomes more fragile. A crown or a strong filling protects it from cracks.