Why Permanent Filling Is Used in Root Canal Therapy

Your endodontist can perform root canal therapy to maintain your natural dental structure. First, the dentist will remove the infected pulp. Next, the weakened tooth will need a replacement dental structure, which is when the tooth will get a permanent filling. If you want to know why an endodontist places a permanent filling during a root canal treatment, here are the details.

Prevents sensitivity

The local anesthetic will wear off after root canal therapy, which will trigger the onset of mild pain and tooth sensitivity due to the extensive cleaning and disinfection of the root canal. In addition, the pulp cavity will still expose some of the nerves.

The pain will start once these nerves are exposed to air without anesthesia. Therefore, a permanent filling after the treatment is necessary to prevent tooth sensitivity. It will fill the pulp cavity and cover the exposed nerves, and make the patient’s recovery more comfortable after the therapy.

Restores the damaged tooth

The tooth becomes hollow once the endodontist removes the pulp, a clear consequence of root canal therapy. That is why the dentist places a permanent filling into the pulp cavity. The filling will bring back the whole dental structure. Sometimes, the dentist will decide to put a crown over the entire tooth. The crown can enhance the aesthetic value of the treated tooth even with a permanent filling in place.

Strengthens the tooth

The dental structure becomes weaker after root canal therapy. A permanent filling can help provide more support to the treated tooth. The tooth becomes a solid tooth, giving it a stronger bite and chew. Filling the pulp cavity with gutta-percha can hold the tooth together, especially if the tooth has fragmented pieces. The endodontist can give the tooth a longer life span, preventing it from shattering into smaller parts as it gets older.

Gives the tooth a natural look

Root canal therapy can restore a tooth’s natural color. The endodontist can choose the right shade for the gutta-percha. That way, the resulting restoration can blend with the neighboring natural teeth. The endodontist may also decide to reinforce the filled tooth with a dental crown. A porcelain crown mimics the look, function, and feel. This could make it difficult for anyone to tell which tooth has been treated.

Prevents further infection

A permanent filling in the pulp cavity can prevent the development of future dental infections. The tooth has gutta-percha taking the place of the dental pulp. This will block the entrance of bacteria into the tooth’s inner chamber. The permanent tooth will prevent the re-infection of the pulp chamber and its remaining components. The dentist will often place a dental crown to shield the tooth from the outer part of the treated tooth.