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Root Canal Stages: Treatment, Duration, And Side Effects

Root Canal Stages: Treatment, Duration, And Side Effects

by Pearl Dental Care Team | Aug 7, 2025

Maintaining your natural teeth is essential for long-term oral health, and in many cases, root canal therapy plays a vital role in doing just that. If you’re wondering about the root canal stages, you’re not alone.

Understanding each stage of the root canal procedure can help you feel more at ease and confident when it’s time to undergo this common dental procedure.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the stages of a root canal, explain what to expect, and discuss how this type of dental treatment can help restore your oral health. Whether you’re considering treatment for an infected tooth or just curious about how it works, this article has you covered.

What Is Root Canal?

A root canal is an endodontic therapy that addresses issues inside a tooth, especially in cases of infected pulp or severe toothache. The term “root canal” is often used to refer to both the canal system inside your teeth and the dental procedure used to treat problems within that system.

Root canal therapy aims to eliminate infection, relieve discomfort, and preserve your natural tooth whenever possible.

Why Might You Need Root Canal Treatment?

You may require root canal treatment if the pulp inside your tooth gets either infected or inflamed. This can happen due to:

Deep tooth decay
Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
Cracks or chips in the tooth’s structure
Injury to the tooth, even if no visible damage is apparent

An infected tooth can lead to dental infections and further infection in surrounding tissues, so prompt treatment is essential.

How Many Root Canal Stages Are There?

The root canal process typically includes three stages: diagnosis and preparation, cleaning and shaping, and finally, filling and sealing. Some cases may require a fourth stage, restoration, especially if a dental crown is needed to protect the treated tooth.

Let’s explore each of these root canal stages in detail.

Stage 1: Diagnosis And Preparation

At this stage, your dental team focuses on identifying the issue, planning the treatment, and preparing your tooth for the procedure.

Understanding The Problem

The first stage of root canal therapy involves diagnosing the issue. Your dentist will examine the affected tooth using advanced diagnostic tools, such as:

X-rays or 3D scans
Clinical evaluation of the surrounding tissue
Testing tooth sensitivity and mobility

Discussing Treatment Options

Your dentist will explain whether a root canal treatment is necessary and walk you through the benefits of saving your natural tooth versus other options, like tooth extraction and replacement with a dental implant.

Applying Local Anaesthesia

Before beginning the actual procedure, your dentist will use a local anaesthetic to ensure minimal discomfort. You’ll be awake during the dental procedure, but the area will be numb.

Stage 2: Cleaning And Shaping The Root Canals

This is the heart of the root canal process, where the infection is removed, and the tooth is prepared for sealing.

Creating A Small Opening

Your dentist will make a small opening in the top of the impacted tooth to access the infected pulp.

Removing The Infected Pulp

Using advanced tools, your dentist will carefully remove:

The infected pulp
Blood vessels and nerve tissue inside the canals
Any debris or bacteria

Shaping The Canal System

Once the pulp is removed, the root canals are shaped to allow for proper filling. This shaping stage helps prepare the internal space for the filling material and supports a smooth recovery.

Stage 3: Filling And Sealing

Now that the canals are clean and shaped, your dentist will focus on sealing the tooth to prevent further infection.

Disinfecting The Space

The canals are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to get rid of the infection and prevent future infections.

Inserting The Filling Material

Your dental professional will fill the space with a biocompatible material, often a rubber-like substance. This supports the tooth’s structure and helps maintain stability.

Placing A Temporary Filling

A temporary dental filling is often placed to protect the tooth between visits. This is especially common if a dental crown is being custom-made for the final stage of treatment.

Stage 4: Final Restoration (If Needed)

A full restoration may be necessary to ensure the functional integrity of teeth that have experienced significant structural damage, particularly back molars.

In many cases, a permanent crown may be placed on the treated tooth to restore function and appearance, particularly in back molar teeth, which endure more pressure from chewing.

Which Stage Of Root Canal Is Most Painful?

If there’s a stage that may involve a little more sensitivity, it’s often the second root canal treatment stage. That’s when instruments clean the canals, and you may feel slight pressure, though discomfort is usually minimal, especially with today’s gentle techniques.

How Long Does A Root Canal Take?

The duration depends on the case’s complexity and the number of canals in the affected tooth. In many situations, a root canal treatment can be done in one or two visits, with each appointment typically lasting around 60 to 90 minutes.

Your dentist will always tailor the timing of your root canal procedure to support a smooth and effective recovery.

How Long Does A Root Canal Last?

A well-performed root canal treatment, followed by proper aftercare, can support the long-term health and function of the treated tooth.

In fact, with good dental hygiene and regular check-ups, many root-treated teeth can last for decades and, in some cases, even a lifetime.

Several factors affect the longevity of a root canal:

1. Consistent Oral Hygiene

Daily brushing, flossing, and keeping up with your dental appointments are essential. These habits help prevent further infection or decay around the treated tooth and protect your overall oral health.

2. Timely Placement Of A Crown

In many cases, a permanent crown is recommended after root canal therapy, especially for back molar teeth, which endure more pressure when chewing.

A well-fitted dental crown strengthens the tooth’s structure, improves function, and helps prevent cracks or re-infection.

3. Avoiding Excessive Pressure

Chewing on hard objects or grinding your teeth can stress the root-treated tooth. If you clench or grind, your dentist may recommend a night guard to help protect your smile and prolong the life of your root canal treatment.

Are There Risks With Root Canal Therapy?

Like any dental procedure, root canal therapy carries some risks. Still, it’s important to remember that these are generally rare, and most treatments are highly successful, especially when performed with modern techniques.

Here are a few potential risks to be aware of:

1. Possibility Of Re-infection

If the canal system isn’t completely cleaned or sealed, bacterial infection may return. That’s why precision, experience, and advanced diagnostic tools are so important during treatment.

2. Fracture Of The Treated Tooth

Without timely restoration, such as a permanent crown, a treated tooth may become more brittle over time. Crowning the tooth helps preserve its strength and protects it from everyday chewing forces.

3. Need For Retreatment

In some cases, additional treatment may be needed if symptoms persist or if the tooth’s structure doesn’t heal as expected. Retreatment or endodontic surgery may help resolve lingering issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need time off after the procedure?

Many patients return to work or school the same day, especially after simpler cases. Mild tenderness or gum swelling is normal but usually manageable. Your dentist may recommend soft foods and over-the-counter medications for a smooth recovery.

What happens if I don’t get a root canal when I need one?

Delaying root canal treatment may lead to worsening infection, tooth loss, or spread of bacteria to surrounding soft tissue or even other teeth. Early treatment helps protect your smile and avoids more complex dental procedures.

Is root canal therapy better than tooth extraction?

In many cases, yes, because it allows you to keep your natural tooth. Preserving the tooth helps maintain proper chewing and jaw alignment and avoids the need for more extensive treatments like dental implants or bridges. Your dentist will guide you based on your unique situation.

How do you differentiate a filling vs root canal?

A filling addresses minor tooth decay on the outer layers of a tooth. A root canal, on the other hand, treats infection or inflammation deep inside the tooth’s pulp chamber and canal system. It’s a more comprehensive treatment to save severely damaged or infected teeth.

What happens if I need a root canal but don’t feel any pain?

Not all infected or inflamed teeth cause severe pain. In fact, some teeth with infected pulp may show no symptoms at all. This is why routine dental check-ups are important. Even without pain, root canal therapy may still be needed to prevent further infection and preserve your natural tooth.

Conclusion

Understanding the root canal stages helps you see that this procedure is more than just a dental treatment; it’s a chance to save your natural tooth, restore oral health, and prevent future infections.

With support from experienced dental professionals, modern dental technology, and a positive, proactive approach to your dental health, a root canal procedure can be a key step in keeping your smile strong for years to come.

If you’ve been told you may need a root canal, or you’re simply exploring your options, our friendly and caring team is here in St Marys to help.

At our dental clinic, we take the time to explain every stage of the process and ensure you’re supported every step of the way.

With a focus on comfort, precision, and lasting results, we use advanced techniques and modern dental technology to provide care you can feel confident about.

Contact Pearl Dental Care today at 02 9158 6312, and let’s discuss how we can help restore your smile and protect your long-term dental health. Your natural teeth are worth saving.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Sources

Healthdirect Australia. Root Canal Treatment [Internet]. Healthdirect. 2023 [cited 2025 May 22]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/root-canal-treatment

Watson S. Root Canal Surgery: Overview [Internet]. Verywell Health. 2024 [cited 2025 May 22]. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-a-root-canal-1059192

Veronika. Old Root Canal Infection Symptoms [Internet]. NewMouth. 2024 [cited 2025 May 22]. Available from: https://www.newmouth.com/blog/root-canal-infection-symptoms/

Gasner N S., Brizuela M. Endodontic Materials Used To Fill Root Canals [Internet]. StatPearls. 2023 [cited 2025 May 22]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587367/

What Is a Root Canal Procedure? It’s Not As Bad As You Think

What Is a Root Canal Procedure? It’s Not As Bad As You Think

by Pearl Dental Care Team | Mar 22, 2022

When asked the question “what is a root canal?” most people can’t answer. And yet, the thought of a root canal procedure instils fear into many. Root canal therapy is nothing to be afraid of and, in reality, is no worse than getting a tooth filled. So let’s get into it!

What is a root canal procedure exactly?

Otherwise known as endodontic therapy, a root canal procedure, involves the removal of infected or diseased pulp and nerves that may be causing significant discomfort. During the process, the inside of the tooth is cleaned, disinfected, and finally sealed. Root canal therapy is, in fact, a common dental treatment carried out by most dentists and is used to repair and save teeth that may otherwise need to be removed.

Why Do I Need Root Canal Treatment?

There are several reasons for a root canal procedure, including tooth decay, repeated dental procedures, cracks or chips, and trauma. Contrary to popular belief, a root canal treatment is not painful. Instead, it gets you out of pain.

To understand why you need root canal therapy, it helps to understand the tooth’s anatomy. A tooth is not hard all the way through. In fact, the middle of the tooth is hollow and is known as the pulp chamber. The chamber contains the tooth pulp, which, in turn, houses the inner workings of the tooth – the nerves, connective tissue, and blood vessels.

If there has been severe decay or damage to the outer layers of the tooth, the pulp tissue may be exposed and it becomes susceptible to bacterial penetration and infection—which can result in pain and swelling in the gums around the tooth. Once this happens, it is necessary to remove the pulp tissue with root canal treatment to prevent further infection.

Fortunately, most of the pulp tissue is essential to the development of the tooth and is not vitally important to the tooth’s health and function once the tooth has emerged. It can safely be removed to protect the shell of the tooth so that normal biting and chewing functions are preserved.

Signs of Pulp Tissue Infection

Some people don’t have any symptoms, but most people experience mild or severe symptoms ranging from mild sensitivity to severe pain.

If the infection is not treated, it can cause pain, swelling, and other problems. The condition can also lead to an abscess, affecting neighbouring teeth. Some of the signs and symptoms that you may need a root canal include:

Severe pain while chewing or biting
Boils on the gum line that may ooze blood or pus
A cracked or chipped tooth
Sensitivity to hot or cold food or beverages that linger, even after the stimulus has been removed
Swollen or tender gums
Darkening of the gums or deep decay.

So, What Happens During The Root Canal Procedure?

The procedure is typically performed under a local anaesthetic, although the dentist may use conscious sedation if you are particularly anxious about the treatment.

To gain access to the pulp chamber, the dentist creates an opening in the top of the tooth and uses a variety of instruments to extract the infected tissue from the chamber and root canals in each tooth root. Once all the debris is removed, the inside of the tooth is cleaned thoroughly.

Antibiotic medication may be placed in the chamber before it is sealed with a temporary filling. This is to prevent bacteria re-entering and ensure that no infection is still present within the tooth.

You will return to the dentist a week or so later, and if there are no signs of infection, the temporary filling is removed and replaced with a permanent filling.

What is a Root Canal Crown?

If a large amount of decay has been removed from the tooth during the root canal, it may be weakened and require a dental crown to strengthen it. A crown is a tooth-coloured restoration that fits over the tooth and is made from hard-wearing materials, such as porcelain or metal.

Benefits of Root Canal Treatment

Saves Your Tooth

If the pulp tissue in your tooth is infected, it will need to be removed. It’s the only way to save your tooth, but if you decide you don’t want the procedure, the only other option left is to have it extracted.

No Ugly Gaps

If you can save your tooth with a root canal, you won’t have to worry about any gaps in your dentition. Not only will this be an excellent cosmetic result, but you won’t have to find a suitable tooth replacement option. So, root canal therapy could also save you money.

It’s Virtually Painless

For anyone who is experiencing pain or discomfort, a root canal procedure will alleviate any raging infection inside their tooth. Modern anaesthesia and techniques ensure you experience minimal discomfort throughout the process.

What is a Root Canal? – Conclusion

To summarise, root canal treatment may seem scary, but it is a safe and easy procedure with today’s technological advances. You can feel confident knowing that your dentist will not only provide you with the best outcome to alleviate any discomfort but will also ensure that your tooth remains fully functional.

Moreover, you won’t have to worry about replacing a missing tooth.

If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with us on (02) 9158 6312 and arrange an appointment with one of our team. Pearl Dental Care is committed to providing exceptional dental care in a personalised and gentle way.

References

WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-crowns

Dental Board of Australia: https://www.dentalboard.gov.au/registration/conscious-sedation.aspx

Colgate: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/tooth-removal/tooth-extraction