Inside a Root Canal Appointment: From Assessment to Aftercare

If root canal treatment has been recommended, knowing what happens at each stage can make the conversation less daunting. The exact technique and number of appointments vary with the tooth.

Before treatment begins

The dentist reviews symptoms, relevant X-rays and the condition of the tooth. You should have an opportunity to ask about other options and how likely it is that the tooth can be restored.

Making the area comfortable

Local anaesthetic is typically used. The tooth is commonly isolated using a rubber dam, a protective sheet that keeps saliva away from the working area and helps prevent small instruments or solutions entering the mouth.

Accessing and cleaning the canals

An opening is made through the tooth so the dentist can reach the pulp chamber. Fine instruments and disinfecting solutions are used to clean and shape the canals. Some teeth have a straightforward root system; others have several curved or narrow canals.

Filling the space inside the roots

Once the canals have been prepared and it is appropriate to finish treatment, they are sealed with root filling materials. The opening in the tooth is then protected with a filling, which may be temporary until a final restoration is fitted.

What recovery can feel like

Temporary tenderness is possible after treatment, especially when the tooth was painful beforehand. Follow the specific advice given by your dentist, and contact the practice if swelling, severe pain or other concerning symptoms appear.

The final restoration is essential

A tooth may need a bonded filling, an onlay or a crown depending on the remaining structure and biting load. Putting off this stage can leave a treated tooth vulnerable to damage or contamination.

Questions for your dentist

Ask whether treatment is likely to take one or more appointments, who will fit the final restoration and whether follow-up imaging will be appropriate. Our root canal treatment page looks at indications and alternatives.