- After a deep cavity, a fracture or trauma
- Under local anaesthesia, mostly in 1–2 sessions
- Protected afterwards with a filling or a crown
- Renewal of earlier treatment (retreatment)
In short: Root canal treatment is saving a tooth from extraction by cleaning out the nerve tissue of the tooth and filling the canals. Whether it is needed, and whether the tooth can be saved in the long term, is determined by clinical examination and radiological assessment.
When is it needed?
- Pain with hot and cold that lasts a long time, starts on its own or wakes you at night
- Pain on biting, darkening of the tooth
- Swelling of the gum or a draining point (fistula)
- An image of inflammation at the root tip on the X-ray — sometimes with no pain at all
- A deep cavity or fracture reaching the nerve, after trauma
How is it done?
- Anaesthesia and isolation: The tooth is anaesthetised and isolated from saliva with a rubber dam.
- Access and cleaning: The pulp chamber is reached; the canals are shaped with files and irrigated with disinfectant solutions.
- Length measurement: The canal length is determined with an electronic device and an X-ray; the root tip is not exceeded.
- Filling: The canals are sealed with a biocompatible filling material (gutta-percha) and sealer.
- Coronal restoration: The crown part is restored with a filling; if there is more tissue loss, with a post-and-core and a crown.
How many sessions does it take?
In teeth with limited inflammation it can be completed in a single session. In teeth with an abscess or inflammation at the root tip, medication is placed in the canal and a wait of 1–2 weeks follows; the canal is filled in the second session. Molars with many canals take longer.
After treatment
Once the numbness has worn off, sensitivity on biting for 2–3 days is normal. Hard food should not be bitten before the coronal restoration is done; because a tooth that has had root canal treatment becomes brittle, a crown is recommended, especially in the posterior region.
Retreatment
If an earlier root canal treatment is leaking or the inflammation recurs, the treatment can be renewed (retreatment): the old filling material is removed, and the canals are cleaned again and refilled. Where this is not possible, root-end surgery (apicoectomy) or extraction and implant planning are considered.
Which dentist carries it out?
Root canal treatment and retreatment are carried out by Sebahat Özler Aygörmez, DDS, a specialist in endodontics; when a crown is needed, the prosthodontic stage is coordinated with Aycan Işık Taş, DDS, and when surgery is needed, with Mehmet Taş, DDS, MSc.
Points to consider
- Sensitivity on biting for a few days after treatment is normal; if pain increases or does not go away, you should come in for a check.
- A tooth that has had root canal treatment becomes brittle; hard food should not be bitten before the coronal restoration (filling or crown) is done.
- Root canal treatment does not protect the tooth from decay; marginal decay can develop, so regular check-ups are needed.
- Not every tooth can be saved: in a root fracture, advanced bone loss or tissue loss that cannot be treated, extraction may come into question.
- In most cases an antibiotic is not needed; the main treatment is cleaning of the canal.
Frequently asked questions
Is root canal treatment painful?
It is carried out under local anaesthesia; pain is not expected during the procedure. In teeth with advanced inflammation, numbing can be difficult, and additional anaesthetic techniques are used. Sensitivity afterwards decreases within a few days.
How long does a tooth that has had root canal treatment last?
With well-performed treatment and an appropriate coronal restoration, the tooth can be used for many years. The most common cause of loss is fracture; this is why a crown is recommended.
Wouldn't it be better to extract the tooth?
Your own tooth functions naturally. In teeth that can be saved, root canal treatment takes priority; in teeth that cannot be saved, extraction and an implant are considered.
Does the tooth darken after treatment?
With current materials, darkening is rare. If it occurs, it can be corrected by internal whitening or a restoration.
Is it finished in a single session?
In some cases yes; where there is inflammation and an abscess, two sessions are needed. The decision is made on the basis of the examination and X-ray findings.
Can root canal treatment be repeated?
Yes. Treatments that leak or in which the inflammation recurs can be renewed; when this is not possible, root-end surgery is considered.
Can I have treatment under sedation if I am afraid of the dentist?
Yes. For patients with dental fear, sedation can be considered for many procedures, including root canal treatment. Whether it is suitable is decided together with the dentist at the examination.
The information on this site is for general guidance only; diagnosis and treatment require an examination by a dentist.