Is the tooth dead after a root canal treatment?

After a root canal treatment the treated tooth is dead. It is no longer supplied with blood or nerves. It also changes its color and becomes grayish-brownish. For cosmetic reasons, the dead tooth is in many cases treated with a crown. Thus the tooth is dead, but can still serve its purpose.

When do I need a temporary filling?

In many cases, the dentist closes the tooth with a temporary filling when the inflammation of the tooth has already been very severe and may still have spread to the surrounding tissue. It is also a sign that the tooth is very painful. In this case, the dentist fills the tooth with an anti-inflammatory drug – thus temporarily sealing the tooth.

In this way the inflammation can subside over a few days and the germs can be removed from the tooth. When the tooth no longer hurts, is germ-free and dry, the root canal can be finally filled. Afterwards the tooth will be finally closed. After three to six months, a check is made by means of a new X-ray image.

What difference does it make if molars or incisors are treated?

Every root canal treatment depends on different factors. These include the position of the tooth in the jaw, i.e. whether a front or a side tooth needs to be treated, as well as the degree of difficulty, which also depends on this. While anterior teeth usually have only one or two root canals, which usually run straight, molars usually have three to four root canals.

In addition, the root canals of molars are often strongly curved or twisted. This complicates the treatment and the complete cleaning and disinfection of the root canals. Apart from the degree of difficulty and the chances of success, the difference lies in the duration of the treatment and the costs. Furthermore, molars are usually finally treated with a crown. In the incisor area, depending on the degree of destruction of the tooth and the possibility, an aesthetic filling is made.