The best types of root canal fillings and the price of a root canal filling

Best Types of Root Canal Treatment, Root canal treatment is a technique used in dental clinics to solve tooth decay problems. In this article, we will learn about the best types of root canal treatment, the number of root canal treatment sessions, the cost of root canal treatment, the advantages of root canal treatment, and other information.

Best Types of Root Canal Treatment

There are many types of root canal fillings used with various advantages, but the best ones are silver or platinum fillings due to their simple cost compared to other fillings, their durability and lasting for more than 15 years because they withstand the pressure of chewing and eating, and their resistance to tooth decay. The procedure is done in a single session.

Root canal treatment is defined as a technique in which tooth decay is treated and the accompanying pain is relieved. The doctor drills cavities in the affected tooth to remove all germs and microbes inside, then adds chemical materials in the pulp to kill the nerve, then places a suitable filling material for the patient and smooths it with the tooth surface, and places a crown on the tooth to prevent it from falling out.

Types of Root Canal Treatment for Children

The following points illustrate the types of root canal treatment for children:

1. Silver Filling: It is the oldest filling used by dentists, and the filling material can be silver, mercury, tin, zinc, or lead, so sometimes it is called black fillings.
2. White Fillings: Also called laser fillings, they are made of composite material consisting of organic compounds called resin and inorganic compounds made of glass. They are characterized by their ability to bond and adhere to tooth tissues.
3. Gold Fillings: One of the strongest fillings used, they can withstand pressure for over 15 years, and the filling material is made of pure gold.
4. Porcelain Fillings: Known as ceramic fillings, they are characterized by their long-lasting durability for years without any damage or harm.
5. Glass Fillings: They are made of acrylic material and fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay again.

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Tools for Root Canal Treatment

The root canal treatment process is carried out in several steps during one or two sessions, and these steps include removing the nerve, which requires the use of tools that assist in this process:

• X-rays: They show the condition and determine the level of damage or decay in the nerve, so the doctor can decide how to properly handle the case.
• Anesthetic Injection: In some cases, the gum is anesthetized, but it is possible not to use it because the nerve is dead, and there is no sensation of pain.
• Rubber Dam or Rubber Sheet: It prevents saliva from reaching the affected tooth or molar, as it is a thin sheet that isolates it from the rest of the mouth contents.
• Files: They remove decay, bacteria, and damaged nerves from the pulp and clean it of any trapped germs.
• Water or Sodium Hypochlorite: The doctor places it in the pulp cavity to disinfect it.
• Topical Antibiotic such as Calcium Hydroxide: The doctor uses a topical antibiotic in the pulp cavity area to ensure the elimination of any infection.
• A mixture of Gutta-percha material and an adhesive cement: This mixture is used to seal the nerve canals.
• Temporary Filling: It is placed to fill the cavity of the tooth or molar for a short period of time, up to two or three days after cleaning the pulp.
• Permanent Filling: It replaces the temporary filling, and the doctor determines the type of permanent filling suitable for the patient’s condition based on the level of damage to the nerve.

What is the Difference Between a Regular Filling and a Root Canal Filling?

Comparison Aspect	Regular Filling	Root Canal Filling
Filling Locations	Tooth cavity	Root canal of the tooth
Reasons for Filling	Tooth decay. Appearance of spots and discoloration on the teeth. Holes in the teeth.	Constant pain in the teeth and gums. Swelling. Formation of an abscess in the teeth. Sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks.
Materials Used in the Filling Procedure	Gold Fillings: Last for more than 15 years. Silver Fillings: The most durable, widespread, and least expensive. Composite Fillings: Using modern laser technology. Porcelain Fillings: Resemble the color of teeth and last up to 20 years.	Rubber Dam or Rubber Sheet: Isolates the affected area. Sodium Hypochlorite: Cleans the pulp of the tooth or molar. A mixture of Gutta-percha material and an adhesive cement: To seal the nerve canals. Calcium Hydroxide: An antibiotic to eliminate any trapped bacteria in the cavity.
Duration of Each Filling Procedure	One session lasting half an hour or an hour.	The root canal filling procedure may take up to two sessions, with each session lasting half an hour or an hour.
Cost	Silver filling starts from 200 Egyptian pounds. Glass filling starts from 240 Egyptian pounds. Laser filling starts from 240 Egyptian pounds.	Root canal filling starts from 480 Egyptian pounds and may exceed that.
Results	Correcting the fracture or damage in the teeth and filling all cavities.	Gradual disappearance of tooth pain until it disappears completely a few days after the filling procedure.

In this article, you will learn about the types of tooth fillings and their prices.

How is a Root Canal Performed?

The root canal procedure is carried out in several steps:

1. Anesthetizing the area where the root canal will be performed.
2.  Drilling a hole in the tooth or molar where the root canal will be performed using a drilling machine.
3.  Cleaning the cavity and the nerve canal in the pulp of the tooth or molar.
4. Disinfecting the cavity with water or sodium hypochlorite.
   Applying calcium hydroxide to eliminate any remaining infection in the root.
5.  Placing a temporary filling for a few days.
6.  After a period not exceeding a week, the doctor places Gutta-percha material and an adhesive cement to fill the gaps in the nerve canals, then places the permanent filling in the cavity of the tooth or molar.
7.  Placing a crown to protect the tooth or molar from fracture. Click here to learn more about whether root canal treatment is painful or not.

How Many Root Canal Sessions Are Needed?

Root canal sessions are carried out in several steps and may take one or two sessions, and sometimes three sessions in case a crown is placed for protection against fracture. In the first session, the doctor cleans the pulp cavities of the tooth and disinfects the root nerve, then places a temporary filling. In the second session, the doctor seals the nerve canal and holes in the tooth, and may place the crown for protection against damage, or this step might be postponed to the third session.

When Should a Root Canal Filling Be Replaced?

1.  If the nerve canal is not properly disinfected, bacteria will continue to grow in the affected area, causing decay.
2. If there is a type of bacteria that resists treatment and causes persistent pain.
3.  The presence of branching nerve canals from the root that are difficult to access during cleaning.
4. The permanent filling that protects the nerve and tooth from infection falls out.
   – Root fracture occurs.

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Temporary Filling Falling Out After Root Canal Treatment

The temporary filling’s role is to protect the tooth cavity and the root nerve canal from any infection and prevent the growth of any bacteria in this affected area during the days immediately following the root canal treatment before the permanent filling is placed. If the temporary filling falls out after the root canal treatment and before the permanent filling is placed, it is the main cause of serious complications such as abscess formation or the infection reaching the blood vessels. Therefore, you should immediately see the doctor in this case and not wait, as the tooth cavity becomes a breeding ground for all germs and microbes, leading to decay.

Tooth Inflammation After Root Canal Treatment

Tooth inflammation after root canal treatment is due to inflammation of the gum and the ligament that gives it resistance against pressure on its roots. This is because when the nerve is removed, a wound occurs deep in the root, and any wound heals after a week. Therefore, you should avoid chewing on the side of the affected tooth and avoid eating sticky, solid, or sugar-rich foods to prevent such inflammations.

Tooth Pain a Month After Root Canal Treatment

One of the most common questions is, “What are the causes of tooth pain after root canal treatment for a period of time?” The answer is summarized in the following points:

• Abscess Formation in the Tooth: Due to infection in the affected area, leading to persistent pain and affecting the movement of the mouth and neck.
• Tooth Sensitivity to Heat and Cold: This condition persists for a month after root canal treatment, so the feeling of pain continues. To overcome this problem, a suitable toothpaste for tooth sensitivity can be used.
• Sensitivity to Filling Materials: Genetic factors can cause sensitivity to certain filling materials, so the doctor should be consulted to determine the appropriate filling to avoid signs of pain and swelling.
• Tooth Cracks: Cracks and wounds in the tooth facilitate the entry of infection into the tooth pulp again, causing persistent pain. In this case, treatment may require more than three sessions.

Cost of Root Canal Treatment

The cost of root canal treatment varies depending on the location of the affected area by decay or fracture, the extent of the damage, the required sessions to complete the filling procedure, the medical equipment used, and the efficiency of the work team supervising the filling procedure at the center or clinic. Therefore, we notice that the cost of root canal treatment in the front teeth is approximately 340 Egyptian pounds, while for the back teeth, it is approximately 480 Egyptian pounds. The cost of an acrylic crown is 140 Egyptian pounds, and a nickel-chromium crown without a facing is 280 Egyptian pounds. A metal crown with a porcelain facing is 400 Egyptian pounds, while a full porcelain crown is 650 Egyptian pounds, which is relatively more expensive. The most expensive option is a single-tooth zirconia crown at 1000 Egyptian pounds.

Risks of Root Canal Treatment

The risks of root canal treatment are summarized as follows:

1.  Abscess formation due to pressure during chewing and eating.
2.  Nerve inflammation again due to a narrow root canal, preventing antibiotics from effectively reaching this area to eliminate bacteria.
3.  The infection reaching the bloodstream, which adversely affects patients with heart and vascular diseases.

Other Potential Problems with Root Canal Treatment

There are other problems that may occur with root canal treatment:

1. Fracture or falling out of the root canal filling if low-quality filling materials are used or the filling is not placed in the correct position.
2. Recurrence of tooth decay if there is excessive consumption of sweets, starchy and acidic foods, and carbonated and sweetened beverages immediately after the root canal treatment.
3. Sensitivity to certain filling materials, causing skin rashes and swelling.
4. Failure to maintain dental hygiene may cause persistent pain.
5. Consuming solid and sticky foods during the days following the filling may cause cracks in the filling.