Root canal therapy is intended to clean out the infected root canal, stop the tooth from becoming reinfected, and preserve the natural tooth. A root canal involves removing the inflammatory or infected pulp and carefully cleaning, sanitizing, filling, and sealing the inside of the tooth.

A tooth-colored composite resin is applied by your dentist to one or more of your teeth during the tooth bonding treatment to repair the damage. Because it is significantly less expensive than other cosmetic dental operations like crowns and veneers, it is a cost-effective choice.

Infection of the pulp inside your tooth by oral bacteria necessitates root canal therapy. This typically occurs when a cavity is neglected over an extended period of time. Additionally, it could happen if a traumatized tooth cracks or sustains other damage.

Bonding, commonly referred to as bonded restoration, is a painless method for making minor dental repairs. Most of the time, multiple teeth can be bonded in a single dental session. Composite resin, a substance that is tooth-colored, is used in bonding. After being applied to the tooth, the composite resin is sculpted and hardened with a light.

You need to have an underlying problem that necessitates root canals in order to be a candidate. Tooth decay that is severe enough to penetrate the enamel and reach the dentin will require root canal therapy.  The pulp, which contains the tooth’s nerves, becomes infected and causes pain. 

Some of the most common symptoms of a tooth infection include the following:

• Tooth or jaw pain

• Swelling around tooth

• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold

• Crack in tooth accompanied by pain

• Visible tooth injury

• Blisters on gums

• Uncharacteristic tooth coloring

• Swelling on the face, neck, or head

Dental bonding is frequently chosen by patients to make minor alterations, particularly on the front teeth where flaws are more obvious. Uses for dental bonding include:

• Fixing chips and cracks

• Closing small gaps between teeth

• Enhancing disproportionately small teeth

• Correcting irregularly shaped teeth

• Repairing decay or erosion

• Concealing slight discoloration

• Protecting exposed tooth roots where the gums have pulled away

During your consultation, your dentist will be able to determine if your concerns can be successfully treated with dental bonding.

Root Canal:

The affected tooth and the gums around it are first given a local anaesthetic to numb them.  Additionally, sedatives such as nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, and intravenous (IV) sedation are used in dentistry to help you relax. If you suffer from dental anxiety, your doctor might suggest sedation.

1. A tiny rubber dam is put over the area before starting root canal therapy. This keeps the tooth dry throughout the treatment and isolates it.

2. A small opening is made in the crown of the tooth to access the pulp.

3. The nerves, blood vessels, and tissues inside the tooth are removed using small dental tools.

4. The pulp chamber and root canals are cleaned, sanitized, and shaped once the pulp has been eliminated.

5. Gutta-percha, a flexible, rubbery dental material, is then used to fill the empty canals.

6. The tooth is then sealed with a temporary dental filling to stop bacteria from re-entering.

7. Most of the time, a dental crown is required to safeguard the repaired tooth and fix your bite. Crown fabrication typically takes two to three weeks because they are built to order. The temporary filling is taken out, and the permanent crown is put in once your crown is ready. In some cases, you might be able to get a crown on the same visit.

Dental bonding:

There is little preparation required for the bonding procedure, which takes between 30 and 60 minutes per tooth.

1. The bonding material will first be chosen in a shade that closely resembles the shade of your tooth.

2. The tooth will next be treated with a gentle etching solution to aid in the bonding material’s adhesion.

3. The bonding material is next applied to the tooth and expertly moulded to the ideal form and size for your smile. At this point, the bonding material is a special resin with the consistency of putty.

4. The resin will be exposed to ultraviolet light or laser for a few minutes after the ideal shape has been established in order to solidify the materials.

5. The bonding substance will be polished and buffed to a healthy-looking gloss in the final phase.

The number of appointments needed for root canal therapy will depend on the severity of the infection in your tooth. A root canal typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to perform. A bigger tooth with many roots may require up to an hour and a half of treatment time.

How long does dental bonding take? Usually, dental bonding will take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Unlike veneers, which are custom-made in a dental lab and will therefore require more time, the bonding process can most often be done in one visit.

Root Canal: 

After the root canal, you may feel some mild discomfort and sensitivity as the local anaesthetic wears off. Your mouth will be numb for a few hours following a root canal. Most people are able to resume their jobs, studies, or other activities right away. You might want to hold off on eating until the numbness subsides. Root canal recovery often takes less than a week. A few days of minor discomfort is possible, although this can be treated with medication. Call your healthcare provider if you experience extreme pain or discomfort for more than a week. For the first several days, stick to softer foods like pasta, mashed potatoes, and yogurt. As your comfort level rises, gradually introduce solid foods.

Dental Bonding: 

No downtime is necessary for tooth bonding. As soon as you leave your dentist’s office, you can resume all regular activities. Simply maintain good oral hygiene. At least twice daily tooth brushing, daily flossing, and routine dental checkups and cleanings are recommended.

Avoiding behaviours like biting your fingernails, chewing on pens, or opening things with your teeth is vital since bonding materials can chip. Call your dentist if you discover any jagged edges on a bonded tooth or if your tooth feels strange when you bite down.

Over 95% of root canal procedures are successful, and they can last a lifetime. The permanent restoration (fillings or crowns) must be placed on the tooth as soon as the root canal is finished, and it must be kept clean at all times to ensure that a root canal lasts as long as possible.

Your oral hygiene standards and the number of teeth that were treated are two factors that affect how long bonding materials last. However, bonding material typically needs to be touched up or changed every three to ten years.

Root Canal:

• Reinfection: This may occur if any part of the root canal procedure is carried out improperly. Your dentist will clean and sanitize the empty root canals before introducing fillers. These, however, are constructed of numerous narrow, twisting branches. Some of these pathways might be missed or inaccessible if not treated by a qualified endodontist.

• Seal failure: Your endodontist will need to close the access hole they used for the operation once your root canal is complete. Bacteria might return to the tooth through any fractures or openings in the seal. A seal can potentially deteriorate with time. The exposed portion of the tooth will be sealed off with crowns or permanent fillings. Despite the fact that they are made to endure pressure, if they are not properly maintained, they can deteriorate over time and allow germs to repopulate.

• Tooth cracking: Teeth that have undergone root canal therapy will never regain their pre-treatment strength. Teeth may become exceedingly brittle since the process effectively kills the tooth by removing all of its functioning components. That’s because one of the dental pulp’s primary jobs is to keep the tooth moisturized and nourished. Therefore, following a root canal, crowns are typically offered to strengthen the tooth’s exterior again.

• Numbness: The surrounding nerves around the afflicted tooth may be damaged by the root canal procedure in a very small percentage of patients. This may occasionally result in numbness in that area. This is nothing to be too worried about, as it typically subsides in a few weeks.

Dental Bonding:

Dental bonding has a few rare risks, like infection and allergic response.  Other risks, such as the bonding material wearing out, chipping, or getting stained, are more likely to happen.

• Infection: Infection, tooth decay, and debris must be removed before the dental bonding material is applied, and the tooth must also be sterilized. If an infection persists after the composite resin filling material has been applied, it will eventually necessitate root canal treatment or tooth extraction since it will continue to eat away at the natural tooth structure.

• Allergic reaction: It’s possible for people to have an allergic reaction to the dental bonding procedure’s materials or tools, such as the conditioning liquid or composite resin.

• Wearing down of the bonding material: The composite resin used in dental bonding will inevitably deteriorate with time, just like a person’s natural tooth enamel does. The bonding material may potentially chip or crack in more severe situations.

• Discoloration of the bonding material: The composite resin material is not totally stain-resistant, and it also won’t respond to teeth-whitening procedures.

Root Canal:

• Front teeth: The cost of treatment can be anywhere from $300 and $1,500, although the average range is between $900 and $1,100.

• Bicuspids: The cost of a bicuspid root canal is slightly more than the cost of treating the front teeth. With an average cost of $900 to $1,100, the price ranges from $400 to $1,800.

• Molars: Getting a root canal for a molar is an expensive procedure. A molar root canal surgery will cost you between $500 and $2,000 to complete. But average prices are in the $1,000–1,300 range.

Dental Bonding: 

Dental bonding typically costs between $200 and $400 per tooth. Your insurance may cover a portion of this treatment, depending on your reasoning for undergoing treatment. You’re more likely to get coverage if your dentist advises this for structural reasons or to fix a cavity than if it’s just for aesthetics.

25/27 people who underwent dental bonding rated the procedure “worth it” (93%)
– Source: Realself.com

19/20 people who underwent a root canal rater the procedure “worth it” (95%)
– Source: Realself.com