How Has Root Canal Therapy Advanced Over the Years?

April 26, 2022

Root canal therapy has changed significantly since its inception. People have been performing root canals for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The tools and techniques dentists use today to save your natural tooth are much different than those used even just a couple decades ago. Today, getting a root canal is similar to getting a cavity filled and is a painless procedure. Here’s how root canal therapy has advanced over the years.

Tools and Instruments Have Evolved

Decades ago, root canals were performed with hand tools and no magnification. Today, dentists have state-of-the-art tools designed specifically for root canals. These small tools are electric and high-precision so your dentist can minimize the impact on your tooth while cleaning out the root canal.

In addition, dentists now have microscopes to properly see inside the tooth and ensure it is fully cleaned out before sealing the chamber. The contemporary instruments dentists use also allow them to finish the root canal in a much shorter period of time and with higher success rates.

Dentists Always Use Local Anesthesia

Before starting the root canal, your dentist will numb your tooth with local anesthesia so you won’t feel discomfort or pain during the procedure. As a result, the procedure may feel similar to getting a cavity filled and you can expect some soreness afterward. However, root canals are designed to alleviate pain, not cause it, so if you have significant discomfort after your appointment or in the days after your appointment, don’t hesitate to follow up with your dentist [1].

Routine Dental Crowns and Filling Applications

In the past, capping teeth with dental crowns was not routinely done with root canals. Today, depending on the tooth you need root canal therapy for, crowns are much more common. A dental crown helps protect your tooth as much as possible from future injury or complications after a root canal [2]. As a result, patients enjoy better comfort and less worry about their treated tooth—and it blends in perfectly with their other natural teeth.

In addition, the filling material used to fill your tooth’s chamber once the dentist has cleaned it out, called gutta percha, is applied warm rather than cold, which helps the material better conform to and seal the space [3]. In the past, cold applications were routinely done, which affected the density of the sealant in the canal [4].

Root Canal Therapy Can Save Your Tooth

Today’s tools and techniques not only make root canals more comfortable, but result in a more successful long-term treatment option for patients. If you have a deep cavity, a tooth infection, or an injured tooth, a root canal can prevent the tooth from needing to be removed and preserve your smile—all with a painless procedure.