The nerve space can become infected
A deep cavity, crack, old filling, trauma, or abscess can let bacteria reach the nerve space inside the tooth. The exam and X-ray help confirm what is going on.
Root Canal Treatment
A root canal is a way to help save a hurting or infected tooth.
Inside every tooth is a small nerve space. If that space becomes infected, abscessed, or badly irritated, root canal treatment removes the infected nerve tissue, cleans and seals the canal, and helps keep the tooth when enough healthy structure remains.
Clean inside the tooth and seal it
The infected or irritated nerve tissue is removed, the canal is cleaned and sterilized, and a filling material called gutta-percha is placed inside the canal.
The tooth may need protection
Many back teeth need a crown after root canal treatment because the tooth can be weaker after a large cavity, fracture, or large filling.
Can It Be Saved?
The exam decides whether a root canal makes sense.
A root canal can help save a tooth only when there is enough healthy tooth left to restore it. If a tooth is cracked too deeply, broken below the gum, severely decayed, or missing too much structure, extraction may be the better option.
- X-rays to look at the root, bone, and infection area
- Exam to check cracks, cavities, swelling, bite pressure, and pain
- Review of how much solid tooth remains
- Plan for a filling or crown after treatment
- Replacement options if the tooth cannot be saved
Visit Flow
What happens during root canal treatment.
Find the source
The doctor listens to the symptoms, examines the tooth, and takes an X-ray to see whether the nerve space or root area is involved.
Numb the tooth
The area is numbed so the appointment is as comfortable as possible.
Clean the canals
The infected or irritated nerve tissue is removed, and the canal space is cleaned and shaped.
Fill and seal
A filling material called gutta-percha is placed inside the cleaned canal space.
Protect the tooth
The doctor explains whether a final filling, crown, or other restoration is needed to protect the tooth long term.
If It Cannot Be Saved
Extraction is not the end of the plan.
If a tooth cannot be saved, GFID can explain replacement choices so the space, bite, and smile are not ignored.
Temporary Tooth Planning
If a front tooth shows when you smile, the office can discuss temporary appearance options while the area heals.
Schedule a visitBridge or Partial
A missing tooth may be replaced with a non-removable bridge or a removable partial denture, depending on the neighboring teeth and overall plan.
Explore crowns and bridgesDental Implant
After healing and evaluation, an implant may be considered if there is enough bone and the patient is a good candidate.
Learn about implants
Questions
Ask the Dentist
Common root canal questions.
What is root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment is done when the nerve space inside a tooth is infected, abscessed, or badly irritated. The infected nerve tissue is removed, the canal is cleaned and sterilized, and gutta-percha is placed into the canal.
How long does a root canal usually take?
It can take about 30 minutes or up to 1 to 2 hours depending on the tooth and how many canals it has. Front teeth often have one canal, premolars often have two, and molars can have three or four.
Does every toothache need a root canal?
No. Tooth pain can come from cavities, cracked teeth, gum problems, bite pressure, sinus issues, or other causes. The doctor needs to examine the tooth and take any needed X-rays before recommending treatment.
Does a root canal hurt?
The tooth is numbed before treatment. Many patients come in because the tooth already hurts, and the goal of treatment is to remove the infected or irritated tissue causing the problem.
Why might I need a crown after a root canal?
A tooth that needed a root canal often had a large cavity, crack, or filling. A crown may be recommended to protect the tooth from breaking after treatment.
What if the tooth cannot be saved?
If the tooth does not have enough healthy structure or the fracture is too deep, extraction may be recommended. Replacement options can include an implant, bridge, or partial denture depending on the case.