First Root Canal Filling

I have done a couple of dental fillings in my entire life. A dental filling pertains to a dentistry treatment which is basically used to repair minimal tooth fractures, damaged teeth or tooth decay. Composite, porcelain and silver amalgam are some of the filling materials that are used to fill the holes and to restore the tooth surfaces for better chewing.

After more than a year, my tooth with an old filling started to ache again. But in this case, the affected tooth requires further alternative procedure known as Root Canal Filling, Endodontics or Root Filling.


Root Filling treatment is a way of saving a tooth by removing the damaged or dead pulp. Pulp is the soft mass of tissue and the space at the core of each tooth is called the root canal. A pulp is composed of nerve fibers and tiny blood vessels which can cause tooth ache onced inflamed.

The affected tooth is further back and it has more roots than the front teeth. With this, it is needed to have a number of X-rays to show an abscess and the number or the shape of the root canals. An abscess is a collection of pus in any parts of the body that is inflammed and can cause swelling and pain around the tooth.

A local anaesthetic is given to numb the tooth and even the tongue, jaw or some parts near the affected tooth. The dentist needs to drill an opening in the tooth and uses a disinfectants and a narrow file to remove the dead cells or bacteria. Once the root canal is cleaned and shaped, a temporary filling is placed.

The procedure is completely painless and can take up to 90 minutes per session. Right now, I am waiting for the third appoinment which is also the last session to complete the treatment. A permanent filling will also be placed if the dentist is happy with the results. If necessary, a tooth will also be crowned after the theraphy because it will be extremely brittle and weaker compare to other teeth.

A Crown (also known as Cap) is placed over a tooth that is badly damaged, decayed and if the filling materials can not replace the missing structure of a tooth. It holds together some parts of cracked tooth and improves the appearance and strength of the teeth.

A root canal filling is more expensive than the normal filling for it takes much longer time, special equipment and trained dentist. But once done, I know that I am absolutely free of pain.

I love my teeth and I'm hoping that this type of dental restoration would be the first and last experience.

How about you? Did you ever undergo a root canal filling?



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