What to Expect During a Filling, Root Canal, or Tooth Extraction

In past dental check ups, you may have overheard your dentist seemingly speaking in code to their assistant. Listing off seemingly random numbers and letters or words to their assistant. Such as “3-MO, 15 Extract, 22 Endo” and so on. Don’t worry, I will explain what it all means to you before your cleaning as it’s not code but a shorthand for recommended dental treatment. When it comes to treating dental decay or cavities, there are three main procedures: fillings, root canals, and tooth extractions. What determines which procedure will be based on your symptoms and the degree of decay present in your tooth. 

Fillings:

Fillings are the easiest and the most basic way to fix a cavity. Cavities are permanently damaged areas in teeth that develop into tiny holes that can increase in size and potentially infect the surrounding teeth if left untreated. Symptoms of dental decay or cavities may include sensitivity, visible discoloration on the tooth, toothaches, and throbbing. Cavities can only be treated by medically trained professionals. The two most common types of fillings are silver and composite resin (tooth colored) fillings. 

Filling Procedure Steps –

1.  I will numb the area around the affected tooth or teeth for the patient’s comfort
2.  Next, we will prepare the area of the tooth that’s decayed or damaged by using a dental handpiece, drill, to remove the decay.
3.  After the decay is removed, I’ll cleanse the are to ensure removal of any remaining bacteria or debris
4.  After drying the area, we will apply the filling material to fill the newly drilled hole
5.  If using composite material, we’ll cure it using a special bonding light for 20 seconds.
6.  That’s it! All that’s left is to polish and adjust the bite to your comfort.

Fillings are best suited for minor fractures and decay. If left untreated it can lead to symptoms of toothache, infection, and tooth loss. 

Root Canal Therapy:

A root canal is a procedure performed to save a natural tooth when it becomes inflamed or infected. This occurs when untreated tooth decay reaches the nerves inside your tooth, causing inflammation or infection. At this point you would be experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold, waking up in the middle of the night due to pain, or severe pain. This is because the nerve inside your tooth is dying. 

Root Canal Procedure Steps – 

1.  Take a quick x-ray of the affected tooth and take an alginate impression of the tooth to make a temporary crown.
2.  I’ll numb the area around the affected tooth or teeth for the patient’s comfort
3.  Next, we will create a small opening through the top of the tooth to access the pulp using a dental handpiece
4.  I’ll use tiny dental instruments to remove the pulp, nerves, blood vessels and tissues inside the tooth
5.  After the pulp is removed, the pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, disinfected and shaped
6.  The now empty canals are filled with a flexible, rubbery dental material called gutta-percha
7.  After the canals are filled, I will seal the tooth with a temporary dental filling or dental buildup to prevent any bacteria from re-entering the tooth. A dental build up is ___
8.  In most RCT cases, the patient will need a dental crown to protect the treated tooth. One last impression is taken to send to the lab for a custom made crown. A temporary crown is made from the impression taken at the start of the visit and fixed with temporary cement while we wait for the final crown.  

Root canals in a way is a tooth’s hail mary to stay where it’s at rather than being extracted. It will also prevent infection from spreading to other teeth and will ease the symptoms you had.

Tooth Extractions:

As a dentist, my primary goal is to help my patients maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, being from West Virginia, I am well versed in tooth extraction. I’ve even had to have my own tooth extracted when I was younger, which is why I try to make tooth extractions as efficient and comfortable as possible because there are instances where a tooth is beyond saving or it’s a matter of cost. 

Tooth Extraction Procedure Steps:

1.  I will numb the area around the affected tooth or teeth for the patient’s comfortThe next steps will happen simultaneously, as I tell all my patients at this point You will experience pressure, which is completely normal.
2.  Release periodontal ligament fibers that connect the tooth to the bony socket housing your tooth
3.  Loosen and elevate the tooth using a dental tool called an elevator to make the tooth even looser
4.  Using forceps or the elevator, I can grasp the loosened tooth and remove it from the mouth if it’s a simple extraction. For more complicated extractions, I may use a dental handpiece to drill parts of the tooth to make it easier to grasp and remove.
5.  Once the tooth is completely removed, we will rinse the socket out with a saline solution, then apply pressure with a 2×2 gauze pad to minimize bleeding.
6.  I go over post-operative instructions to help you recover smoothly and comfortably from the tooth extraction along with a written post-op instructions and extra gauze.

Just because a tooth is gone, doesn’t mean you have to live with a gap forever. I’d be happy to go over all your tooth replacement options with you such as dental implants, a dental bridge, or a partial denture. 

Conclusion

By being aware of what to expect during a filling, root canal, or tooth extraction, it can help you alleviate any anxiety you may have about undergoing these common dental procedures. By understanding the basics of each procedure and communicating with your dentist, you can make informed decisions about your oral health.

It’s worth noting that despite the sometimes intimidating nature of dental procedures, the end result is usually a healthier, happier smile. So take comfort in knowing that a little bit of discomfort now can lead to a lifetime of brighter, more confident smiles.