By 

Laura Schober

Laura Schober

Laura Schober is a freelance writer and editor specializing in health, food, wellness, beauty, and lifestyle content. Laura is also a seasoned communications professional who has previously worked in the biopharmaceutical, consumer healthcare, and lifestyle spaces.

HEALTH'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Published on July 3, 2023

 Medically reviewed by 

Edmund Khoo, DDS

Risks

A root canal is a dental procedure performed on teeth that are severely damaged or infected.¹ The procedure is necessary when the pulp, a mass of blood-supplying soft tissue inside the tooth, becomes infected or inflamed.²³

The purpose of a root canal is to clear out bacteria from inside the tooth, in spaces of the root known as canals, and prevent reinfection. With root canal, your natural tooth can be saved from removal.⁴

More than 15 million root canals are performed each year in the U.S.⁵ The procedure is a relatively painless one, usually with successful results.⁴

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What Happens During a Root Canal?

A root canal takes one or two office visits to complete.⁴ Generally, each appointment takes approximately 90 minutes.⁵

A dentist or endodontist—a dental professional who specializes in problems inside the tooth—will perform the root canal.⁶ Here are the steps they will take during the first visit:¹

1. A local anesthesia is applied to numb the tooth and the area around it so there is little to no pain during the procedure. Generally, the level of pain is similar to other dental procedures, such as getting a filling or wisdom tooth removed.⁴

2. An opening is made in the top of your tooth to expose the infected or inflamed tooth root. 

3. The nerve is removed from inside the tooth and the area of the root, or the root canal. 

4. The bacteria are removed from inside the tooth, and the inside of the tooth is disinfected.

5. The root canal is filled with a rubber-like material to prevent reinfection.

6. A temporary filling is placed on the tooth. 

Because the filling you get at the end of your first appointment only a temporary protection, a follow-up appointment will be needed as soon as possible to place a permanent filling or crown.¹ This is necessary to protect your tooth from additional damage and to prevent infections.⁵

Why Would You Need a Root Canal?

If your tooth’s pulp—a soft mixture of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue inside the tooth—becomes infected or inflamed, a root canal is necessary to remove the bacteria that are causing the pain and damage to your natural tooth.³²

You may need a root canal if you’ve had any of the following dental problems:¹⁴

• Cracked, fractured, or chipped tooth 

• Injury to the tooth 

• An infection in the root of the tooth (an abscess)³

• Severe damage to your tooth

• A deep cavity

• Repeated dental procedures that disturb the pulp of your tooth

• A faulty crown

If an infected, inflamed, or injured tooth is left untreated, your tooth is at risk of having to be removed. Therefore, it is important to see a dentist or endodontist for diagnosis and treatment as soon as symptoms arise.¹ 

Signs You May Need a Root Canal

You may need a root canal if you experience any of the following symptoms: 

• Prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold

• Darkening of the gums

• Tender or swollen gums

• Pimples on the gums

• Severe pain while chewing food

• Tooth decay

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, consult a dental professional for diagnosis and, if necessary, root canal treatment. 

How a Root Canal Can Help

If root canal symptoms are ignored or left to linger for too long, the tissues around the root of your tooth can become infected. This causes swelling and pain, which could cause an abscess inside the tooth or in the bones around the end of the tooth’s root. If left untreated, you can lose the tooth or develop a severe infection. 

In some cases, the infection in the tooth can spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening.⁵ That’s why it’s important to see a dental professional promptly if you’re experiencing any of the signs and symptoms that signal a root canal treatment may be needed. 

A root canal procedure is a safe and effective way to treat the tooth and remove the bacteria that cause the pain and swelling.¹ A root canal helps maintain your natural smile and ensures proper oral health, which allows you to eat your favorite foods without pain or sensitivity.⁴

A root canal treatment can improve chewing, ensure proper biting form and sensation, and improve the natural appearance of the tooth. The procedure can also protect your other teeth from excessive wear.⁴

 4 Foods To Eat and 9 Foods To Avoid for Healthy Teeth

What to Expect Before and After

There are some steps you should take before and after your actual root canal treatment to ensure a successful procedure and recovery.

Preparing for Root Canal

To prepare for your root canal procedure, it is recommended to brush your teeth before your appointment. 

Check with your oral healthcare provider if they want you to refrain from eating for any amount of time before your procedure. Usually you are allowed to eat up to one hour before the procedure.⁵

What Happens After a Root Canal?

After a root canal procedure, most people are able to return to their daily routine the same day of treatment. While your mouth will be numb for two to four hours following treatment, it is safe to return to school or work afterward.⁴  

The provider may recommend waiting a few hours before eating, until the numbness wears off in your mouth. It is best to eat soft foods that require little chewing, such as eggs, yogurt, applesauce, and fish.⁵

It is also recommended to avoid eating hard, rough, hot, or chewy foods in the area of the restored tooth, especially until the tooth is permanently filled or covered with a crown.³ 

While the procedure itself is pretty painless, you might have some soreness in the tooth’s surrounding area for a few days after. An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug, such as Advil (ibuprofen), can help relieve discomfort.³⁵ If you continue to feel any discomfort or sensitivity beyond that time period, speak to your dental professional, who can help recommend further options.¹

The provider may prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection.³

You will need to visit your dentist after the procedure for regular check-ups, including a follow-up to ensure the infection is gone. Usually, check-ups are recommended twice a year for adults.³

After a root canal procedure, any pain you had felt in the tooth should be gone.¹

How Long Do Root Canal Fillings Last?

Root canal fillings can last the rest of your life if cared for properly.⁴

Although you receive a temporary filling immediately after the root canal, you will have a follow-up appointment to receive a permanent filling or crown. Just like a normal filling, this will last with proper oral care.¹

To best care for your filling after a root canal, brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, floss between your teeth once a day, and see your dentist regularly for check-ups.³

Risks of a Root Canal

Generally, a root canal is a safe and painless procedure, but it does carry some risks of which to be mindful, including:³⁷

• Nerve damage

• Tooth fracture

• An infection in the root of your tooth

• Tooth loss

• Breaking of surgical tools inside the tooth’s root canal 

• Cracked tooth

• Incomplete removal of bacteria 

A Quick Review

A root canal is a safe and effective dental procedure performed on teeth that have infected or inflamed pulp. Pulp is the soft tissue inside a tooth that supplies blood to a tooth. A root canal treatment eliminates bacteria from the canals within a tooth, prevents further infection, and saves the natural tooth.

If the infected pulp of the tooth is left untreated, complications can arise that could lead to tooth loss. Therefore, it is important to be aware of symptoms that could indicate you need a root canal treatment, such as prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold and darkening of the gums. If a dentist or endodontist determines you need a root canal, the treatment typically takes two visits. Any pain from the infection or inflammation would go away, and the treatment could last for the rest of your life with proper care.