“How long after a root canal should you get a permanent filling?”

It is recommended that a permanent filling be placed as soon as possible following root canal procedure. It will minimize risk of reinfection of the treated tooth.

A root canal procedure performs an important function to remove the infectious bacteria from the inside of the tooth, and then fill the tooth with a compound to seal it up from bottom to top to prevent a re-infection. When a tooth is opened, we necessarily have to remove a certain amount of tooth structure to perform the root canal. This removal weakens the overall integrity of the tooth and that's why we cover the tooth with a crown after repairing the lost tooth structure with what insurance companies call a "build-up". Another important factor to consider is where the tooth is. Think of your jaw as a nutcracker: the strongest crunching power if you will is in the back at the hinge. Nuts - and teeth - break easier in the back than in the front. From a technical standpoint, you can break a tooth immediately after the root canal is performed if it's not permanently filled or restored by a buildup and crown.. A practical consideration is made sometimes to delay the permanent filling either by necessity (endodontists make the root canal but refer back to the home dentist for restoration) or financial considerations. We strongly - STRONGLY recommend performing the permanent filling ASAP. Some practitioners do this by performing the root canal, buildup. and Crown prep the same day. I'm not personally a fan of this since the root canal procedure is a meticulous procedure where success is measured literally in millimeters and if you immediately tinker with that root canal fill then you can disturb the newly places seal which is still not dry. Bottom line: get the permanent filling immediately after the root canal or as soon as you can. The longer you wait the greater the possibility that you'll break it. As the saying goes, "you break it you bought it". It's on you to get the permanent filling and everyday with every meal you risk the possibility of breaking the tooth to the point it's no longer restorable and needs to be removed. You've squandered your money and time for a valuable procedure.

If it is the back tooth, then asap. Otherwise, you can fracture the tooth due to heavy occlusion.

The permanent filling must be placed almost immediately or as soon as possible after the root canal is finished in order to seal the area of the tooth that was open to make access for the root canal. If not sealed bacteria can infiltrate inside the tooth and it can get reinfected.

As soon as possible. If the temporary filling leaks it could become re abscessed.

You should call your dentist within a week and make an appointment as soon as all sensitivity or pain is gone (1 to 2 weeks).
Good Luck.

Once a root canal is completed, it is important to have a permanent restoration either the day the root canal is completed or within a two-week period.

Thank you,

Dr. Stoddart

The access the hole that the root canal is performed through should be sealed with some sort of bonded restoration as soon as possible. Many root canals fail because of inadequate or improper sealing of this access. Bacteria enter the system and migrate down the root canal filling material causing most of failures of endodontically treated teeth

If the root canal has been completed and the specialist has released you to get the tooth restored, you should get the tooth restored immediately.

It's supposed to be finished the whole treatment in 3 to 5 days, in two to three visits.

In general, as soon as possible. Try not to wait more than 6 weeks. The temporary filling material is porous and bacteria can infiltrate it possibly causing a recurrent infection. In general temp filling material is weak and does nothing to increase the integrity of the tooth. Hope this helps.

I recommend waiting approximately 1 week between a root canal appointment and the appointment with your general dentist to get a permanent restoration placed. This gives your body enough time to heal from the root canal so that there is no discomfort while a permanent restoration is being placed, but a short enough amount of time that you don't have to worry about leakage of bacteria around the temporary material that could cause re-infection.

As soon as possible to prevent leakage and re-infection.

Within 3-4 weeks.

You should not wait long after a root canal to get a permanent restoration, usually a crown is better, but sometimes a filling will suffice. The ideal time is two weeks after root canal completion.

You should get it as soon as possible, the same day possible. But if you have to postpone it for any reason, the maximum lifespan of the temporary filling is about 4 months.