The outermost layer of our teeth is the hard enamel, beneath which lies the softer dentin, and at the innermost part is the tooth’s nerve tissue. This nerve tissue runs from the crown through the root canals, giving the tooth its vitality and sensation. If a cavity is neglected or overlooked, it can progress and reach the nerve tissue. Sensitivity to hot or cold, as well as pain when biting, are indicators of this condition. In such cases, the procedure to remove the tooth’s nerve is called root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment is performed under anesthesia. After the tooth decay is removed, the nerve tissue inside the tooth is cleaned using fine hand instruments, and the remaining empty spaces are filled with special materials.

Depending on the condition of the tooth, root canal treatment can take one, two, or three sessions. If there is inflammation in the tooth’s nerve tissue, the duration of the sessions may be longer, and sometimes the treatment may need to be supported with antibiotics.

Root canal treatment is different from a regular dental filling. In root canal treatment, the nerves inside the tooth roots are removed, and the empty canals are filled. A dental filling, on the other hand, restores the material lost due to decay on the visible surface of the tooth, above the gum line. After a root canal, the tooth can be restored with a composite filling, porcelain filling, or porcelain crown. Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment become more fragile, so using a porcelain filling or crown is generally more protective than a composite filling.