What Is a Root Canal? Complete Guide to Treatment, Recovery & Prevention

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When a dentist says you need a root canal, it can be worrying. A lot of patients who need root canals are often concerned about pain and if the treatment will stop toothaches.

Understanding what a root canal is can ease your worries and help you make the best decisions for your dental health.

This guide covers everything you need to know about root canal treatment, including who needs one, what to expect during the procedure, how to recover, and ways to prevent needing one in the first place.

What Is a Root Canal Treatment?

A root canal is a dental procedure that treats a severely infected or damaged tooth. When the tooth's pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue) becomes inflamed or infected, it must be removed to save the natural tooth.

It can happen because of deep decay, a cracked tooth, repeated dental procedures on the same tooth, or a deep cavity that reaches the pulp chamber below the dentin. When this happens, it allows bacteria to get into the tooth, causing an infection. This infection leads to pain, swelling, sensitivity, and an abscess (pus).

During a root canal procedure, the dentist removes the diseased pulp and cleans the inside of the tooth. This prevents the infection from spreading to your jawbone. The dentist then seals it with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.

Who Needs a Root Canal?

Most people who need a root canal treatment will have the following symptoms:

Persistent Tooth Pain or Sensitivity: The pain is often on the tooth but can also radiate to your jaw or ear. In some cases, it can cause a headache because the nerves in your face are interconnected.
A Painful Tooth Suddenly Painless: Interestingly, a tooth that used to hurt can suddenly stop. However, it does not mean it has healed. In some cases, it means that the nerve has died. Without treatment, the infection will spread and destroy the bone.
Swelling or Tenderness in Nearby Gums: In some cases, especially those involving trauma to the mouth, the nearby gums may also swell or feel tender.
A Decayed or Infected Tooth with Pus: Tooth decay is the most common reason for root canal treatment.
A Diseased Tooth: A diseased tooth usually has discoloration, visible holes or pits, and swollen gums. It can mean tooth decay or an infection.
An Abscess Near the Root: It starts as a small pimple called a dental fistula, or gum boil.

If pulp damage is left untreated, it can lead to an infected pulp, causing further damage to other teeth and even affecting the jawbone. For this reason, dentists will recommend root canal treatment for your decayed tooth as soon as possible.

Root Canal Step-by-Step Procedure

A general dentist or an endodontist usually performs root canal treatment. An endodontist has more training on dental pulp and root canals, and therefore handles more complex cases. Here's a breakdown of what happens:

Examination

First, your dentist will examine the tooth structure by taking X-rays. It will also help them locate the infection. Besides the X-ray, your dentist may perform a cold test, where they touch the tooth with a cold swab, or a percussion test, where they tap the tooth. Both these tests help your endodontist confirm which tooth has a dead nerve.

Local Anesthesia

The next step is numbing the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue. Your dentist will confirm if you feel any pain and adjust the anesthesia as needed. During the procedure, you should feel pressure rather than pain.

Isolation

Your dentist will then place a rubber-like sheet, called a dental dam, on your mouth and around the tooth to keep it clean and protected from saliva.

Access and Cleaning

Your dentist will drill a small hole through the tooth's biting surface or on the back side of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. They will use an apex locator or a working-length X-ray to avoid over- or under-drilling.

The dentist will then use Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) files to remove the infected pulp and shape the canal into a funnel for filling. They will also flush the canal with a disinfectant to kill the bacteria. The dentist will use sterile paper points to dry the inside of the tooth before filling.

Filling

Your dentist will fill the canal with gutta-percha and seal it with a temporary filling called cement to make sure it sticks to the walls of the canal. In cases where your tooth has a lot of decay, your dentist will place a post to act as an anchor for the filling and support the crown.

Restoration

After one to two weeks, the dentist places a crown to strengthen the restored tooth. It also protects the tooth from fracturing in the future.

Root canal treatment may require more than one visit, especially if the infection is severe or a large amount of the tooth has decayed. On the first visit, the dentist cleans and seals the canal with a temporary filling. Then you will wait one to two weeks for the permanent filling.

Recovery and Results for a Root Canal

Length of Recovery

Most patients recover within a few days. During this time, you may experience mild discomfort and sensitivity, which you can manage with over-the-counter pain relievers. If you experience any pain that lasts longer than a few days, call your dentist.

Tips for Care After Root Canal

Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it heals.
Eat soft foods for the first days after treatment.
Maintain good oral hygiene through regular, gentle brushing and flossing.
Wear a mouth guard to prevent further damage, especially if you grind your teeth at night.
Avoid smoking as it can slow healing.
Follow up with your dentist for the permanent restoration.

How Long Do Results Last?

A root canal-treated tooth with a filling and a crown can last 20 years or more with proper care.

How to Avoid a Root Canal

Here are some things you can do to avoid needing a root canal treatment:

Wear a mouth guard to protect teeth from grinding or injury.
Brush and floss daily to prevent tooth decay.
Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings.
Treat deep cavities early.
Avoid chewing hard foods that can lead to a cracked tooth.

Following these steps can help you avoid root canal treatment by reducing the risk of infected or diseased pulp.

GetCheeky Mouth Guards for Root Canal Prevention and Care

One of the easiest ways to protect your teeth is with a custom-fit mouth guard. GetCheeky offers high-quality mouth guards that:

Prevent damage from grinding or clenching
Help protect teeth during sports
Support recovery after a root canal

Our custom night guard helps protect against chipped teeth and jaw pain if you grind your teeth at night. We also offer a custom sports mouth guard that is durable and shock-absorbing, ideal for athletes and everyday physical activities. Our cheeky retainer is another good option that helps maintain the results of orthodontic treatments.

So, the next time you need to protect your smile or care for a recently restored tooth, order a custom mouth guard from GetCheeky.

FAQs

What Exactly Happens in a Root Canal?

The dentist removes infected pulp, cleans the canals, and fills them with a sealing material to save the tooth before placing a permanent crown on the tooth.

How Long Do Root Canals Last?

With proper care, a root canal with a filling and permanent crown can last 20 years or more.

What Are the Signs You Need a Root Canal?

Persistent toothache, swelling, a large cavity, or sensitivity to hot and cold may mean that you need a root canal.

Is it Better to have a Root canal or an Extraction?

Saving the natural tooth with a root canal is better for oral health than removing it. When it's possible, dental professionals will always save the natural tooth instead of removing it.

Can a Tooth Crack During a Root Canal?

While rare, it’s possible. The tooth may crack if its structure is already weak.

Conclusion

A root canal is a safe way to treat and save a decaying tooth. The results are promising, and a restored tooth can last a lifetime in many cases.

Remember, you can avoid root canal treatments by practicing good oral hygiene and using protective tools like mouth guards. But if you do end up needing one, you now know exactly what to expect and how to take care of yourself after.