Root canal treatment#Filling the root canal

The procedure is often complicated and may involve multiple visits over a period of weeks.

File:Dental root canal treatment process 5.jpg

File:ZELLFAZE MN02 MP02 017.JPG

Before endodontic therapy is carried out, a correct diagnosis of the dental pulp and the surrounding periapical tissues is required. This allows the endodontist to choose the most appropriate treatment option, allowing preservation and longevity of the tooth and surrounding tissues. Treatment options for an irreversibly inflamed pulp (irreversible pulpitis) include either extraction of the tooth or removal of the pulp. Partial pulp amputation (pulpotomy) is the treatment of choice to preserve the pulp in teeth with open apical foramen.{{cite web |last1=Teeuwen |first1=Robert |title=Success evaluation of N2 treated teeth with open apical foramen—A retrospective study |url=https://www.dental-tribune.com/news/success-evaluation-of-n2-treated-teeth-with-open-apical-foramen-a-retrospective-study/ |website=Dental Tribune International |date=26 April 2018}}

Removing the infected/inflamed pulpal tissue enables the endodontist to preserve the longevity and function of the tooth. The treatment option chosen involves taking into account the expected prognosis of the tooth, as well as the patient's wishes. A full history is required, along with a clinical examination (both inside and outside the mouth), and the use of diagnostic tests.{{cite journal | vauthors = Carrotte P | title = Endodontics: Part 2 Diagnosis and treatment planning | language = En | journal = British Dental Journal | volume = 197 | issue = 5 | pages = 231–8 | date = September 2004 | pmid = 15359316 | doi = 10.1038/sj.bdj.4811612 | doi-access = free }}

There are several tests that can aid in the diagnosis of the dental pulp and the surrounding tissues:

• Palpation (this is where the tip of the root is felt from the overlying tissues to see if there is any swelling or tenderness present)
• Mobility (this is assessing if there is more than normal movement of the tooth in the socket)
• Percussion (TTP, tender to percussion; the tooth is tapped to see if there is any tenderness)
• Transillumination (shining a light through the tooth to see if there are any noticeable fractures)
• Tooth Slooth (this is where the patient is asked to bite down upon a plastic instrument; useful if the patient complains of pain on biting as this can be used to localise the tooth)
• Radiographs
• Dental pulp tests

If a tooth is considered so threatened (because of decay, cracking, etc.) that future infection is considered very likely or inevitable, a pulpectomy (removal of the pulp tissue) is advisable to prevent such infection. Usually, some inflammation and/or infection is already present within and/or below the tooth. To cure the infection and save the tooth, the dentist drills into the pulp chamber and removes the infected pulp. To eliminate bacteria from the pulp chamber and root canals, the use of efficient antiseptics and disinfectants is necessary.{{cite journal | vauthors = Safavi K, Spngberg L, Langeland K | year = 1990 | title = Root canal dentinal infection | journal = Journal of Endodontics | volume = 16 | issue = 5| pages = 207–210 | doi = 10.1016/s0099-2399(06)81670-5 | pmid = 2074411 }} The soft tissues are either drilled out of the root canal(s) with engine driven rotary files, or with long needle-shaped hand instruments known as hand files (H files and K files).

The endodontist makes an opening through the enamel and dentin tissues of the tooth, usually using a dental drill fitted with a dental burr.

Isolating the tooth

The use of a rubber dam for tooth isolation is mandatory in endodontic treatment for several reasons:

1. It provides an aseptic operating field, isolating the tooth from oral and salivary contamination. Root canal contamination with saliva introduces new microorganisms to the root canal which compromise the prognosis.
2. It facilitates the use of the strong medicaments necessary to clean the root canal system.
3. It protects the patient from the inhalation or ingestion of endodontic instruments.

There have been a number of progressive iterations to the mechanical preparation of the root canal for endodontic therapy. The first, referred to as the standardized technique, was developed by Ingle in 1961, and had disadvantages such as the potential for loss of working length and inadvertent ledging, zipping or perforation.{{cite book |author = John I. Ingle |author2 = Leif K. Bakland |author3 = J. Craig Baumgartner |title = Endodontics |date = 2008 |publisher = BC Decker |location = Hamilton, Ontario |isbn = 978-1-55009-333-9 |edition = 6th }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Wakefield BG | title = Root canal therapy and resection technique | journal = Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology | volume = 3 | issue = 6 | pages = 743–9 | date = June 1950 | pmid = 15423872 | doi = 10.1016/0030-4220(50)90273-8 }} Subsequent refinements have been numerous, and are usually described as techniques. These include the step-back, circumferential filing, incremental, anticurvature filing, step-down, double flare, crown-down-pressureless, balanced force, canal master, apical box, progressive enlargement, modified double flare, passive stepback, alternated rotary motions, and apical patency techniques.{{cite journal |last1 = Hülsmann |first1 = Michael |last2 = Peters |first2 = Ove |last3 = Dummer |first3 = Paul Michael | name-list-style = vanc |title = Mechanical preparation of root canals: shaping goals, techniques and means |journal = Endodontic Topics |date = 2005 |volume = 10 |issue = 10 |pages = 30–76 |doi = 10.1111/j.1601-1546.2005.00152.x |url = https://www.aae.org/uploadedfiles/publications_and_research/endodontics_colleagues_for_excellence_newsletter/hulsmannetalrotaryarticle.pdf |access-date = February 20, 2016 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170112081344/https://www.aae.org/uploadedfiles/publications_and_research/endodontics_colleagues_for_excellence_newsletter/hulsmannetalrotaryarticle.pdf |archive-date = January 12, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}

The step back technique, also known as telescopic or serial root canal preparation, is divided in two phases: in the first, the working length is established and then the apical part of the canal is delicately shaped since a size 25 K-file reaches the working length; in the second, the remaining canal is prepared with manual or rotating instrumentation.{{cite journal | vauthors = Turek T, Langeland K | title = A light microscopic study of the efficacy of the telescopic and the Giromatic preparation of root canals | journal = Journal of Endodontics | volume = 8 | issue = 10 | pages = 437–43 | date = October 1982 | pmid = 6958781 | doi = 10.1016/s0099-2399(82)80147-7 }} This procedure, however, has some disadvantages, such as the potential for inadvertent apical transportation. Incorrect instrumentation length can occur, which can be addressed by the modified step back. Obstructing debris can be dealt with by the passive step back technique.{{cite journal | vauthors = Torabinejad M, White SN | title = Endodontic treatment options after unsuccessful initial root canal treatment: Alternatives to single-tooth implants | journal = Journal of the American Dental Association | volume = 147 | issue = 3 | pages = 214–20 | date = March 2016 | pmid = 26778004 | doi = 10.1016/j.adaj.2015.11.017 }} The crown down is a procedure in which the dentist prepares the canal beginning from the coronal part after exploring the patency of the whole canal with the master apical file.

There is a hybrid procedure combining step back and crown down: after the canal's patency check, the coronal third is prepared with hand or Gates Glidden drills, then the working length is determined and finally the apical portion is shaped using step back techniques. The double flare is a procedure introduced by Fava where the canal is explored using a small file. The canal is prepared in crown down manner using K-files then follows a "step back" preparation with 1 mm increments with increasing file sizes. With early coronal enlargement, also described as "three times technique", apical canals are prepared after a working length assessment using an apex locator; then progressively enlarged with Gates Glidden drills (only coronal and middle third). For the eponymic third time the dentist "arrives at the apex" and, if necessary, prepares the foramen with a size 25 K-file; the last phase is divided in two refining passages: the first with a 1-mm staggered instrument, the second with 0.5-mm staggering.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} From the early nineties engine-driven instrumentation were gradually introduced including the ProFile system, the Greater Taper files, the ProTaper files, and other systems like Light Speed, Quantec, K-3 rotary, Real World Endo, and the Hero 642.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

All of these procedures involve frequent irrigation and recapitulation with the master apical file, a small file that reaches the apical foramen.{{cite journal | vauthors = Loushine RJ, Weller RN, Kimbrough WF, Potter BJ | title = Measurement of endodontic file lengths: calibrated versus uncalibrated digital images | journal = Journal of Endodontics | volume = 27 | issue = 12 | pages = 779–81 | date = December 2001 | pmid = 11771590 | doi = 10.1097/00004770-200112000-00017 }} High frequency ultrasound based techniques have also been described. These can be useful in particular for cases with complex anatomy, or for retained foreign body retrieval from a failed prior endodontic procedure.{{cite journal | vauthors = Agrawal V, Kapoor S, Patel M | title = Ultrasonic Technique to Retrieve a Rotary Nickel-Titanium File Broken Beyond the Apex and a Stainless Steel File from the Root Canal of a Mandibular Molar: A Case Report | journal = Journal of Dentistry | volume = 12 | issue = 7 | pages = 532–6 | date = July 2015 | pmid = 26877743 | pmc = 4749419 }}

File:Step back.png|An example of step back technique

File:Passive step back.png|An example of passive step back technique

File:Crown down.png|An example of crown down technique

There are two slightly different anti-curvature techniques. In the balanced forces technique, the dentist inserts a file into the canal and rotates clockwise a quarter of a turn, engaging dentin, then rotates counter-clockwise half/ three-quarter of a revolution, applying pressure in an apical direction, shearing off tissue previously meshed. From the balanced forces stem two other techniques: the reverse balanced force (where GT instruments are rotated first anti-clockwise and then clockwise) and the gentler "feed and pull" where the instrument is rotated only a quarter of a revolution and moved coronally after an engagement, but not drawn out.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

Since 2000, lidocaine is the most commonly used local anesthetic for root canal therapy.{{cite web|url=https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/anesthesia-numbed-by-choices|title=Anesthesia: Numbed by choices|date=2006-12-01|website=Harvard Medical School|publisher=Harvard Health Publishing|access-date=2024-12-12}}

The root canal is flushed with an irrigant. Some common ones are listed below:

• Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) in concentrations ranging between 0.5% and 5.25%Raab D: Preparation of contaminated root canal systems – the importance of antimicrobial irrigants. Dental Inc. 2008: July / August 34–36.Raab D, Ma A: Preparation of contaminated root canal systems – the importance of antimicrobial irrigants. 经感染的根管系统的修复— 化学冲洗对根管治疗的重要性DENTAL INC. Chinese Edition 2008: August 18–20.Raab D: Die Bedeutung chemischer Spülungen in der Endodontie. Endodontie Journal 2010: 2; 22–23. http://www.oemus.com/archiv/pub/sim/ej/2010/ej0210/ej0210_22_23_raab.pdf
• 6% sodium hypochlorite with surface modifiers for better flow into nooks and crannies
• 2% chlorhexidine gluconate
• 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate plus 0.2% cetrimonium chloride
• 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
• Framycetin sulfate
• Mixture of citric acid, doxycycline, and polysorbate 80 (detergent) (MTAD)
• Saline
• Near anhydrous ethanol

The primary aim of chemical irrigation is to kill microbes and dissolve pulpal tissue.{{Cite book|title=The Principles of Endodontics|last=Patel|first=Shanon | name-list-style = vanc |publisher=Oxford|year=2013}} Certain irrigants, such as sodium hypochlorite and chlorhexidine, have proved to be effective antimicrobials in vitro and are widely used during root canal therapy worldwide. According to a systematic review, however, there is a lack of good quality evidence to support the use of one irrigant over another in terms of both short and long term prognosis of therapy.{{cite journal | vauthors = Fedorowicz Z, Nasser M, Sequeira-Byron P, de Souza RF, Carter B, Heft M | title = Irrigants for non-surgical root canal treatment in mature permanent teeth | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 9 | pages = CD008948 | date = September 2012 | pmid = 22972129 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD008948.pub2 | pmc = 11635403 }}

Root canal irrigation systems are divided into two categories: manual agitation techniques and machine-assisted agitation techniques. Manual irrigation includes positive-pressure irrigation, which is commonly performed with a syringe and a side vented needle. Machine-assisted irrigation techniques include sonics and ultrasonics, as well as newer systems which deliver apical negative-pressure irrigation.{{Cite web|url=https://de.dental-tribune.com/epaper/roots-international/roots-international-no-1-2013-0113-%5B30-37%5D.pdf|title=Endodontic Irrigants and Irrigant Delivery Systems|website=de.dental-tribune.com|access-date=19 January 2019}}

The standard filling material is gutta-percha, a natural polymer prepared from latex from the percha tree (Palaquium gutta). The standard endodontic technique involves inserting a gutta-percha cone (a "point") into the cleaned-out root canal along with a sealing cement.{{cite book |last = Tronstad |first = Leif | name-list-style = vanc |title = Clinical Endodontics: A Textbook |year = 2008 |publisher = Thieme |isbn = 978-3-13-768103-8 }} Another technique uses melted or heat-softened gutta-percha which is then injected or pressed into the root canal passage(s). However, since gutta-percha shrinks as it cools, thermal techniques can be unreliable and sometimes a combination of techniques is used. Gutta-percha is radiopaque, allowing verification afterwards that the root canal passages have been completely filled and are without voids.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

Pain control can be difficult to achieve at times because of anesthetic inactivation by the acidity of the abscess around the tooth apex. Sometimes the abscess can be drained, antibiotics prescribed, and the procedure reattempted when inflammation has been mitigated. The tooth can also be unroofed to allow drainage and help relieve pressure.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

A root treated tooth may be eased from the occlusion as a measure to prevent tooth fracture prior to the cementation of a crown or similar restoration. Sometimes the dentist performs preliminary treatment of the tooth by removing all of the infected pulp of the tooth and applying a dressing and temporary filling to the tooth. This is called a pulpectomy. The dentist may also remove just the coronal portion of the dental pulp, which contains 90% of the nerve tissue, and leave intact the pulp in the canals. This procedure, called a "pulpotomy", tends to essentially eliminate all the pain. A pulpotomy may be a relatively definitive treatment for infected primary teeth. The pulpectomy and pulpotomy procedures aim to eliminate pain until the follow-up visit for finishing the root canal procedure. Further occurrences of pain could indicate the presence of continuing infection or retention of vital nerve tissue.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

Some dentists may decide to temporarily fill the canal with calcium hydroxide paste in order to thoroughly sterilize the site. This strong base is left in place for a week or more to disinfect and reduce inflammation in surrounding tissue, requiring the patient to return for a second or third visit to complete the procedure. There appears to be no benefit from this multi-visit option, however, and single-visit procedures actually show better (though not statistically significant) patient outcomes than multi-visit ones.{{Citation |title = Single-visit more effective than multiple-visit root canal treatment? |journal = Evidence-Based Dentistry |year = 2006 |volume = 7 |pages = 13–14 |first = Ken M |last = Hargreaves | name-list-style = vanc |doi = 10.1038/sj.ebd.6400372 |pmid = 16557250 |issue = 1 |df = mdy-all |doi-access = free }}

Temporary filling-materials allow the creation of hermetic coronal-seals preventing from coronal microleakage (i.e. contamination of the root canal by bacteria); their presence over the entire time-period to fill the root canal and restore the tooth crown is mandatory, for increasing the probability of the endodontic-treatment success.{{cite journal | vauthors=Khayat A, Lee S, Torabinejad M |title=Human saliva penetration of coronally unsealed obturated root canals |journal=Journal of Endodontics |volume=19 |issue=9 |pages=458–61 |date=1993 |pmid=8263453 |doi=10.1016/S0099-2399(06)80533-9}}{{cite journal |vauthors=Saunders W, Saunders E |date=1994 |title=Coronal leakage as a cause of failure in root-canal therapy: a review |journal=Dental Traumatology |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=105–108 |doi=10.1111/j.1600-9657.1994.tb00533.x|pmid=7995237 |doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |vauthors=Kriznar I, Seme K, Fidler A |date=2016 |title=Bacterial microleakage of temporary filling materials used for endodontic access cavity sealing |journal=Journal of Dental Sciences |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=394–400 |doi=10.1016/j.jds.2016.06.004|pmid=30895003 |pmc=6395255 }}{{cite web |url = http://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/root-canals-explained.aspx#step |title = Root Canals Explained |website = www.aae.org |access-date = November 10, 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171110084000/http://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/root-canals-explained.aspx#step |archive-date = November 10, 2017 |df = mdy-all }} However, these temporary filling-materials create coronal seals which only remain hermetic during less than 30 days in average (mainly because of the bacteria the saliva contains). Some temporary filling-materials may remain hermetic during 40–70 days. However the estimated standard-deviations of these higher average-durations are important and their computations used observations from dye-based tests, which are less reliable than saliva-based tests.{{Cn|date=June 2023}}

Molars and premolars that have had root canal therapy should be protected with a crown that covers the cusps of the tooth. This is because the access made into the root canal system removes a significant amount of tooth structure. Molars and premolars are the primary teeth used in chewing and will almost certainly fracture in the future without cuspal coverage. Anterior teeth typically do not require full coverage restorations after a root canal procedure, unless there is extensive tooth loss from decay or for esthetics or unusual occlusion. Placement of a crown or cusp-protecting cast gold covering is recommended also because these have the best ability to seal the treated tooth. There is insufficient evidence to assess the effects of crowns compared to conventional fillings for the restoration of root-filled teeth, decision of restoration should rely on the clinical experience of the practitioner and the preference of the patients.{{cite journal | vauthors = Sequeira-Byron P, Fedorowicz Z, Carter B, Nasser M, Alrowaili EF | title = Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root-filled teeth | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 9 | pages = CD009109 | date = September 2015 | volume = 2015 | pmid = 26403154 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD009109.pub3 | url = http://www.cochrane.org/CD009109/ORAL_single-crowns-or-routine-fillings-restoration-root-filled-teeth | pmc = 7111426 }} If the tooth is not perfectly sealed, the canal may leak, causing eventual failure. A tooth with a root canal treatment still has the ability to decay, and without proper home care and an adequate fluoride source the tooth structure can become severely decayed (often without the patient's knowledge since the nerve has been removed, leaving the tooth without any pain perception). Thus, non-restorable carious destruction is the main reason for extraction of teeth after root canal therapy, accounting for up to two-thirds of these extractions. Therefore, it is very important to have regular X-rays taken of the root canal to ensure that the tooth is not having any problems that the patient would not be aware of.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

Endodontic treatment may fail for many reasons: one common reason for failure is inadequate chemomechanical debridement of the root canal. This may be due to poor endodontic access, missed anatomy or inadequate shaping of the canal, particularly in the apical third of the root canal, also due to the difficulty of reaching the accessory canals which are minute canals that extend in from the pulp to the periodontium in a random direction. They are mostly found in the apical third of the root.{{Cite journal|last=Vertucci|first=Frank J. | name-list-style = vanc |date=November 1984|title=Root canal anatomy of the human permanent teeth|journal=Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology|volume=58|issue=5|pages=589–599|doi=10.1016/0030-4220(84)90085-9|pmid=6595621 |issn=0030-4220}}

Exposure of the obturation material to the oral environment may mean the gutta-percha is contaminated with oral bacteria. If complex and expensive restorative dentistry is contemplated then ideally the contaminated gutta percha would be replaced in a retreatment procedure to minimise the risk of failure.

The type of bacteria found within a failed canal may differ from the normal infected tooth. Enterococcus faecalis and/or other facultative enteric bacteria or Pseudomonas sp. are found in this situation.

Endodontic retreatment is technically demanding; it can be a time-consuming procedure, as meticulous care is required by the dentist. Retreatment cases are typically referred to a specialist endodontist. Use of an operating microscope or other magnification may improve outcomes.

Currently, there is no strong evidence favoring surgical or non-surgical retreatment of periapical lesions. However, studies have reported that patients experience more pain and swelling after surgical retreatment compared to non-surgical. When comparing surgical techniques, the use of ultrasonic devices may improve healing after retreatment. Application of nanomotor implants have been proposed to achieve thorough disinfection of the dentine.{{Cite journal |last1=Dasgupta |first1=Debayan |last2=Peddi |first2=Shanmukh |last3=Saini |first3=Deepak Kumar |last4=Ghosh |first4=Ambarish |date=2022-05-04 |title=Mobile Nanobots for Prevention of Root Canal Treatment Failure |journal=Advanced Healthcare Materials |volume=11 |issue=14 |language=en |pages=2200232 |doi=10.1002/adhm.202200232 | pmid=35481942 |pmc=7613116 |issn=2192-2640}} There is no evidence that the use of antibiotics after endodontic retreatment prevents post-operative infection.{{Cite journal|last1=Del Fabbro|first1=Massimo|last2=Corbella|first2=Stefano|last3=Sequeira-Byron|first3=Patrick|last4=Tsesis|first4=Igor|last5=Rosen|first5=Eyal|last6=Lolato|first6=Alessandra|last7=Taschieri|first7=Silvio|date=2016-10-19|title=Endodontic procedures for retreatment of periapical lesions|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=10|issue=12 |pages=CD005511|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD005511.pub3|issn=1469-493X|pmc=6461161|pmid=27759881}}{{cite journal |vauthors= Ng Y, Gulabivala K |date=2023 |title=Factors that influence the outcomes of surgical endodontic treatment |journal=International Endodontic Journal |volume=56 |pages=116–139 |doi=10.1111/iej.13896|pmid=36710526 |s2cid=256388534 |doi-access=free }}

{{See also|Endodontic files and reamers|Nickel titanium rotary file}}

{{more citations needed section|date=November 2017}}

Since 2000, there have been great innovations in the art and science of root canal therapy. Dentists now must be educated on the current concepts in order to optimally perform a root canal procedure. Root canal therapy has become more automated and can be performed faster thanks in part to machine-driven rotary technology and more advanced root canal filling methods. Many root canal procedures are done in one dental visit which may last for around 1–2 hours. Newer technologies are available (e.g. cone-beam CT scanning) that allow more efficient, scientific measurements to be taken of the dimensions of the root canal, however, the use of CT scanning in endodontics has to be justified.{{Cite journal|pmc = 5730974|year = 2017|last1 = Shukla|first1 = S|title = Role of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Diagnosis and Treatment Planning in Dentistry: An Update|journal = Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry|volume = 7|issue = Suppl 3|pages = S125–S136|last2 = Chug|first2 = A|last3 = Afrashtehfar|first3 = K. I|pmid = 29285467|doi = 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_516_16 | doi-access=free }} Many dentists use dental loupes to perform root canal therapy, and the consensus is that procedures performed using loupes or other forms of magnification (e.g. a surgical microscope) are more likely to succeed than those performed without them. Although general dentists are becoming versed in these advanced technologies, they are still more likely to be used by root canal specialist (known as endodontists).

Laser root canal procedures are a controversial innovation. Lasers may be fast but have not been shown to thoroughly disinfect the whole tooth,{{cite journal | vauthors = Jha D, Guerrero A, Ngo T, Helfer A, Hasselgren G | title = Inability of laser and rotary instrumentation to eliminate root canal infection | journal = Journal of the American Dental Association | volume = 137 | issue = 1 | pages = 67–70 | date = January 2006 | pmid = 16457001 | doi = 10.14219/jada.archive.2006.0023 }} and may cause damage to the tooth.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

Several randomized clinical trials concluded that the use of rotary instruments is associated with a lower incidence of pain following the endodontic procedure when compared to the use of manual hand instruments.{{cite journal | vauthors = Sun C, Sun J, Tan M, Hu B, Gao X, Song J | title = Pain after root canal treatment with different instruments: A systematic review and meta-analysis | journal = Oral Diseases | volume = 24 | issue = 6 | pages = 908–919 | date = March 2018 | pmid = 29516592 | doi = 10.1111/odi.12854 | s2cid = 3735282 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Hou XM, Su Z, Hou BX | title = Post endodontic pain following single-visit root canal preparation with rotary vs reciprocating instruments: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials | language = En | journal = BMC Oral Health | volume = 17 | issue = 1 | article-number = 86 | date = May 2017 | pmid = 28545437 | pmc = 5445416 | doi = 10.1186/s12903-017-0355-8 | doi-access = free }} Corticosteroid intra-oral injections were found to alleviate pain in the first 24 hours in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulp inflammation.{{cite journal | vauthors = Nogueira BM, Silva LG, Mesquita CR, Menezes SA, Menezes TO, Faria AG, Porpino MT | title = Is the Use of Dexamethasone Effective in Controlling Pain Associated with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis? A Systematic Review | journal = Journal of Endodontics | volume = 44 | issue = 5 | pages = 703–710 | date = May 2018 | pmid = 29571913 | doi = 10.1016/j.joen.2018.02.006 | s2cid = 4242424 }}

Instruments may separate (break) during root canal treatment, meaning a portion of the metal file used during the procedure remains inside the tooth. The file segment may be left behind if an acceptable level of cleaning and shaping has already been completed and attempting to remove the segment would risk damage to the tooth. While potentially disconcerting to the patient, having metal inside of a tooth is relatively common, such as with metal posts, amalgam fillings, gold crowns, and porcelain fused to metal crowns. The occurrence of file separation depends on the narrowness, curvature, length, calcification and number of roots on the tooth being treated. Complications resulting from incompletely cleaned canals, due to blockage from the separated file, can be addressed with surgical root canal treatment.{{Citation |url = http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=4746292 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120713181313/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=4746292 |url-status = dead |archive-date = July 13, 2012 |title = United States Patent 4,746,292: Tool and method for removing a parted endodontic file |first = William B. |last = Johnson | name-list-style = vanc |date = May 24, 1988 }} The risk of endodontic files fracturing can be minimised by:{{cite journal | vauthors = McGuigan MB, Louca C, Duncan HF | title = Endodontic instrument fracture: causes and prevention | journal = British Dental Journal | volume = 214 | issue = 7 | pages = 341–8 | date = April 2013 | pmid = 23579132 | doi = 10.1038/sj.bdj.2013.324 | s2cid = 24071666 }}

• Ensuring access cavity allows straight-line introduction of files into canals
• Creating a glide path before use of larger taper NiTi files
• Using rotary instruments at the manufacturer's recommended speed and torque setting
• Adopting a single-use file policy to prevent overuse of files
• Inspecting the file thoroughly every time before inserting it inside the canal
• Using ample amounts of irrigation solutions
• Avoiding the use of rotary files in severely curved or dilacerated canals

A sodium hypochlorite incident results in an immediate reaction of severe pain, followed by edema, haematoma and ecchymosis, as a consequence of the solution escaping the confines of the tooth and entering the periapical space.Torabinejad, Mahmoud, Richard Walton. Endodontics, 4th Edition.Page 265. W.B. Saunders Company, 2008. VitalBook file This may be caused iatrogenically by binding or excessive pressure on the irrigant syringe or it may occur if the tooth has an unusually large apical foramen.{{cite journal | vauthors = Hülsmann M, Hahn W | title = Complications during root canal irrigation--literature review and case reports | journal = International Endodontic Journal | volume = 33 | issue = 3 | pages = 186–93 | date = May 2000 | pmid = 11307434 | doi = 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2000.00303.x | type = Review }} It is usually self-resolving and may take two to five weeks to fully resolve.

Tooth discoloration is common following root canal treatment; however, the exact causes for this are not completely understood. Failure to completely clean out the necrotic soft tissue of the pulp system may cause staining, and certain root canal materials (e.g. gutta percha and root canal sealer cements) can also cause staining. Another possible factor is that the lack of pulp pressure in dentinal tubules once the pulp is removed leads to incorporation of dietary stains in dentin.{{cite book |author1 = Hargreaves KM |author2 = Berman LH |title = Cohen's Pathways of the Pulp Expert Consult |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=lhuaCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT2212 |date = September 23, 2015 |publisher = Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn = 978-0-323-18586-8 |page = 2212 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171110084000/https://books.google.com/books?id=lhuaCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT2212 |archive-date = November 10, 2017 |df = mdy-all }}

File:An visual explanation of bad root canal therapy .png

Another common complication of root canal therapy is when the entire length of the root canal is not completely cleaned out and filled (obturated) with root canal filling material (usually gutta percha). On the other hand, the root canal filling material may be extruded from the apex leading to other complications.{{cn|date=April 2023}} The X-ray in the right margin shows two adjacent teeth that had received bad root canal therapy. The root canal filling material (3, 4, and 10) does not extend to the end of the tooth roots (5, 6 and 11). The dark circles at the bottom of the tooth roots (7 and 8) indicated infection in the surrounding bone. Recommended treatment is either to redo the root canal therapy or extract the tooth and place dental implants.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} Poor quality filling material or sealant may also cause root canal treatment to fail.{{cite journal |title=Failure of endodontic treatment: The usual suspects |journal=European Journal of Dentistry |year=2016 |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=144–147 |doi=10.4103/1305-7456.175682 |pmid=27011754 |pmc=4784145 |last1=Tabassum |first1=Sadia |last2=Khan |first2=Farhan Raza |doi-access=free }}

Root-canal-treated teeth may fail to heal—for example, if the dentist does not find, clean and fill all of the root canals within a tooth. On a maxillary molar, there is more than a 50% chance that the tooth has four canals instead of just three, but the fourth canal, often called a "mesio-buccal 2", tends to be very difficult to see and often requires special instruments and magnification in order to see it (most commonly found in first maxillary molars; studies have shown an average of 76% up to 96% of such teeth with the presence of an MB2 canal). This infected canal may cause a continued infection or "flare-up" of the tooth. Any tooth may have more canals than expected, and these canals may be missed when the root canal procedure is performed. Sometimes canals may be unusually shaped, making them impossible to clean and fill completely; some infected material may remain in the canal. Sometimes the canal filling does not fully extend to the apex of the tooth, or it does not fill the canal as densely as it should. Sometimes a tooth root may be perforated while the root canal is being treated, making it difficult to fill the tooth. The perforation may be filled with a root repair material, such as one derived from natural cement called mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). A specialist can often re-treat failing root canals, and these teeth will then heal, often years after the initial root canal procedure.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

The survival or functionality of the endodontically treated tooth is often the most important aspect of the endodontic treatment outcomes, rather than its apical healing alone.{{Citation |vauthors = Friedman S, Mor C |title = The success of endodontic therapy: healing and functionality |journal = J Calif Dent Assoc |volume = 32 |issue = 6 |pages = 493–503 |year = 2004 |doi = 10.1080/19424396.2004.12223997 |pmid = 15344440 |s2cid = 11202235 |postscript = . }} One issue was about the commonly used sanitising substances which incompletely sanitised the root-canal space.{{Citation |year = 2004 |title = Molecular evaluation of residual endodontic microorganisms after instrumentation, irrigation and medication with either calcium hydroxide or Septomixine |journal = Oral Diseases |pages = 389–397 |doi = 10.1111/j.1601-0825.2004.01015.x |author1 = G Tang |author2 = LP Samaranayake |author3 = H-K Yip |volume = 10 |issue = 6 |pmid = 15533217 }} A properly restored tooth following root canal therapy yields long-term success rates near 97%. In a large-scale study of over 1.6 million patients who had root canal therapy, 97% had retained their teeth 8 years following the procedure, with most untoward events, such as re-treatment, apical surgery or extraction, occurring during the first 3 years after the initial endodontic treatment.{{cite journal | vauthors = Salehrabi R, Rotstein I | title = Endodontic treatment outcomes in a large patient population in the USA: an epidemiological study | journal = Journal of Endodontics | volume = 30 | issue = 12 | pages = 846–50 | date = December 2004 | pmid = 15564861 | doi = 10.1097/01.don.0000145031.04236.ca }} Endodontically treated teeth are prone to extraction mainly due to non-restorable carious destruction, other times due to the improper fit of the crown margins that encircles the tooth which lead to the ingress of bacteria,Cohen Pathways of the Pulp, 9th ed., Copyright © 2006 Mosby, An Imprint of Elsevier and to a lesser extent to endodontic-related reasons such as endodontic failure, vertical root fracture, or perforation (procedural error).{{Citation |vauthors = Zadik Y, Sandler V, Bechor R, Salehrabi R |title = Analysis of factors related to extraction of endodontically treated teeth |journal = Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod |volume = 106 |issue = 5 |pages = e31–5 |date = August 2008 |pmid = 18718782 |doi = 10.1016/j.tripleo.2008.06.017 |postscript = . }}

File:Periodontium.svg is a benefit of endodontic over implant therapy (labeled I–K)]]

An infected tooth may endanger other parts of the body. People with special vulnerabilities, such as a recent prosthetic joint replacement, an unrepaired congenital heart defect, or immunocompromisation, may need to take antibiotics to protect from infection spreading during dental procedures. The American Dental Association (ADA) asserts that any risks can be adequately controlled. A properly performed root canal treatment effectively removes the infected part of the pulp from the tooth.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

In the early 1900s, several researchers theorized that bacteria from teeth which had necrotic pulps or which had received endodontic treatment could cause chronic or local infection in areas distant from the tooth through the transfer of bacteria through the bloodstream. This was called the "focal infection theory", and it led some dentists to advocate dental extraction. This theory was discredited in the 1930s.

Bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream) can be caused by many everyday activities, e.g. brushing teeth, but may also occur after any dental procedure which involves bleeding. It is particularly likely after dental extractions due to the movement of the tooth and force needed to dislodge it, but endodontically treated teeth alone do not cause bacteremia or systemic disease.{{Citation |vauthors = Baumgartner JC, Bakland LK, Sugita EI |year = 2002 |title = Endodontics, Chapter 3: Microbiology of endodontics and asepsis in endodontic practice |url = http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/Dr.Hanan/BooksIngle/ch03.pdf |publisher = Hamilton, Ontario: BC Becker |pages = 63–94 |access-date = November 27, 2009 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110816005948/http://faculty.ksu.edu.sa/Dr.Hanan/BooksIngle/ch03.pdf |archive-date = August 16, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}

The alternatives to root canal therapy include no treatment or tooth extraction. Following tooth extraction, options for prosthetic replacement may include dental implants, a fixed partial denture (commonly referred to as a 'bridge'), or a removable denture.{{cite book |last = Shillingberg |first = Herbert | name-list-style = vanc |title = Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics |year = 1997 |publisher = Quintessence Publishing Co Inc. |isbn = 978-0-86715-201-2 }} There are risks to forgoing treatment, including pain, infection and the possibility of worsening dental infection such that the tooth will become irreparable (root canal treatment will not be successful, often due to excessive loss of tooth structure). If extensive loss of tooth structure occurs, extraction may be the only option.

Research comparing endodontic therapy with implant therapy is considerable, both as an initial treatment and in retreatment for failed initial endodontic approaches.{{cite journal | vauthors = Kim SG, Solomon C | title = Cost-effectiveness of endodontic molar retreatment compared with fixed partial dentures and single-tooth implant alternatives | journal = Journal of Endodontics | volume = 37 | issue = 3 | pages = 321–5 | date = March 2011 | pmid = 21329815 | doi = 10.1016/j.joen.2010.11.035 }} Endodontic therapy allows avoidance of disruption of the periodontal fiber, which helps with proprioception for occlusal feedback, a reflex important in preventing patients from chewing improperly and damaging the temporomandibular joint. In a comparison of initial nonsurgical endodontic treatment and single-tooth implants, both were found to have similar success rates.{{cite journal | vauthors = Doyle SL, Hodges JS, Pesun IJ, Law AS, Bowles WR | title = Retrospective cross sectional comparison of initial nonsurgical endodontic treatment and single-tooth implants | journal = Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry | volume = 28 | issue = 6 | pages = 296–301 | date = June 2007 | pmid = 17682611 }} While the procedures are similar in terms of pain and discomfort, a notable difference is that patients who have implants have reported "the worst pain of their life" during the extraction, with the implantation itself being relatively painless. The worst pain of endodontic therapy was reported with the initial anesthetic injection. Some patients receiving implants also describe a dull nagging pain after the procedure, while those with endodontic therapy describe "sensation" or "sensitivity" in the area.{{cite journal | vauthors = Gatten DL, Riedy CA, Hong SK, Johnson JD, Cohenca N | title = Quality of life of endodontically treated versus implant treated patients: a University-based qualitative research study | journal = Journal of Endodontics | volume = 37 | issue = 7 | pages = 903–9 | date = July 2011 | pmid = 21689542 | doi = 10.1016/j.joen.2011.03.026 }} Other studies have found that endodontic therapy patients report the maximum pain the day following treatment, while extraction and implantation patients reported maximum pain the end of the week after the operation.{{cite journal | vauthors = Parirokh M, Zarifian A, Ghoddusi J | title = Choice of Treatment Plan Based on Root Canal Therapy versus Extraction and Implant Placement: A Mini Review | journal = Iranian Endodontic Journal | volume = 10 | issue = 3 | pages = 152–5 | date = 2015 | pmid = 26213535 | pmc = 4509120 | doi = 10.7508/iej.2015.03.001 | doi-broken-date = July 11, 2025 }}

Implants also take longer, with a typically 3- to 6-month gap between the tooth implantation and receiving the crown, depending on the severity of infection. With regard to gender, women tend to report higher psychological disability after endodontic therapy, and a higher rate of physical disability after tooth implantation, while men do not show a statistically significant difference in response. Mastication is significantly stronger in endodontically treated teeth as compared to implants.{{cite journal | vauthors = Woodmansey KF, Ayik M, Buschang PH, White CA, He J | title = Differences in masticatory function in patients with endodontically treated teeth and single-implant-supported prostheses: a pilot study | journal = Journal of Endodontics | volume = 35 | issue = 1 | pages = 10–4 | date = January 2009 | pmid = 19084116 | doi = 10.1016/j.joen.2008.10.016 }} Initial success rates after single tooth implants and endodontic microsurgery are similar the first 2 to 4 years following surgery, though after this the success rate of endodontic microsurgery is decreased as compared to implantation.

To an extent, the criteria for success due to the inherent differences in the procedure have historically limited comparisons, with success of endodontic therapy defined as the absence of periapical lucency on radiographs, or the absence of visible cavity at the root of the tooth on imaging. Implant success, on the other hand, is defined by osseointegration, or fusion of the implant to the adjacent maxilla or mandible. Endodontically treated teeth have significantly less requirement for follow up treatment after final restoration, while implants need more appointments to finish treatment and more maintenance.{{cite journal | vauthors = Hannahan JP, Eleazer PD | title = Comparison of success of implants versus endodontically treated teeth | journal = Journal of Endodontics | volume = 34 | issue = 11 | pages = 1302–1305 | date = November 2008 | pmid = 18928836 | doi = 10.1016/j.joen.2008.08.011 }}

{{too many see alsos|date=June 2025}}

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{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7867685/ Primary tooth pulpectomy overfilling by different placement techniques: A systematic review and meta-analysis]

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