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Nerve removal in a tooth
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025

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In the process of caries development, the enamel of the tooth is destroyed, and a hole is formed in it, into which microorganisms can penetrate, affecting first the dense dentin, and then the pulp (fibrous connective tissue filling the inner space of the tooth). The nerve in the tooth is removed when an inflammatory process develops in the pulp of the tooth. In this case, the patient experiences intense pain, the pulp becomes edematous, putting pressure on the nerve endings.
Removal of a nerve in a tooth may be indicated in case of its mechanical destruction, in case of formation of a large dental hole, as well as in case of frequent disturbing pain. Previously, to perform such a procedure as removal of a nerve in a tooth, dentists used arsenic, applying it to the affected pulp. After that, the patient was given a temporary filling, which was removed after two days along with the arsenic, after which the nerve was eliminated. Such a procedure took quite a long time, causing considerable pain. Currently, thanks to modern technology, the process of removing a nerve in a tooth takes about half an hour and is performed under local anesthesia. After the procedure, the patient is given a temporary filling and an X-ray examination of the tooth is prescribed. If the X-ray results are good, the canals and the carious hole are finally filled. To avoid such radical measures as removing a nerve in a tooth, you should carefully monitor your oral health and periodically visit the dentist for preventive purposes.
The process of removing the nerve from a tooth
The process of removing a nerve from a tooth cannot be started without prior anesthesia. Previously, arsenic was used for this purpose, the procedure was long and painful. In modern medicine, the approach to anesthesia is much more gentle - with the help of anesthetics, the patient's nerve is painlessly removed for about thirty minutes. After the anesthetic is administered, access to the pulp is opened using the necessary instruments, then the root canals are thoroughly cleaned, all microorganisms are destroyed, and mechanical and medicinal treatment of the tooth occurs. To determine the length of the canal, the patient is x-rayed or an apex locator is used (a special instrument that allows you to determine the length of the root canal). If necessary, the patient can be given a temporary filling, in which case the treatment will need to be continued a little later. Then, after all the necessary procedures are completed, a permanent filling is installed. The effectiveness of the filling directly depends on the quality of the canal cleaning.
Nerve removal in a baby tooth
Removal of a nerve in a baby tooth may be required when the tooth is destroyed by caries and, as a result, pulpitis develops. Starting from six months, babies begin to get their first baby teeth, and although they are not permanent, they can also be affected by caries. The result of such damage can be pulpitis, in which case nerve removal is indicated. Since the roots of baby teeth can either form or dissolve, when treating the canals, the developing permanent tooth may be injured. It is for this reason that when removing a nerve in a baby tooth, the canals are not processed and filled along the entire length of the root, but only at its outlet. Special preparations are intended for this purpose. They destroy all microorganisms and preserve the existence of the baby tooth until it is replaced by a permanent one.
Removing a nerve from a front tooth
Removing a nerve from a front tooth is a rather complicated procedure that requires preliminary preparation and examination. Before removing a nerve from a tooth, the doctor must clean the canals and perform antiseptic treatment. After this, the nerve is directly removed under local anesthesia, after which a filling is placed on the depulped tooth.
Tooth Nerve Removal During Pregnancy
Removal of a tooth nerve during pregnancy is recommended to be performed starting from the second trimester of pregnancy, since the organs and systems of the fetus are laid down in the early stages and it is better to refuse dental treatment during this period unless the situation is critical and does not require immediate removal of the nerve. Before starting treatment, the doctor should be informed about what medications were taken. Modern anesthetics used for pain relief before nerve removal have a local effect and do not penetrate the placental barrier, which ensures safety for the fetus. Since an X-ray is performed before canal treatment, pregnant women are given a special lead apron for safety reasons, which protects against harmful radiation.
Wisdom tooth: nerve removal
Wisdom tooth: nerve removal in a wisdom tooth is performed with preliminary anesthesia when pulp inflammation develops. After the anesthetic is administered, the canals are cleaned and bacteria are destroyed. In total, the procedure for removing a nerve in a wisdom tooth takes about half an hour. In order to determine the length of the canal, an X-ray examination is first performed or the length is determined with a special device. If during the treatment it becomes necessary to install a temporary filling, a permanent one can be installed during a follow-up visit to the dentist.
Tooth treatment with nerve removal
Before treating a tooth, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination and do an X-ray. When removing a nerve, the canals are first cleaned and then filled. Treatment of a tooth with nerve removal is carried out strictly according to indications, which include the following:
- development of an inflammatory process of the pulp. The main symptoms are frequently recurring pains that occur spontaneously;
- destruction of the tooth by caries and infection of the pulp;
Pulp necrosis. This pathology can develop as a result of trauma or infection. This process is usually not accompanied by any symptoms, which in turn can provoke the risk of complications. Diagnostic examination is carried out using X-rays.
Consequences of nerve removal in a tooth
The consequences of removing a nerve in a tooth if the treatment technique is not followed can be as follows:
- Unclosed root canals, poor quality filling;
- Development of inflammation and pain syndrome as a result of insufficient treatment of the oral cavity with antiseptic agents and, as a consequence, incomplete destruction of bacteria;
- Compression of the tooth root or jaw nerve by a filling. Complications in such situations can lead to the development of neuralgia up to paralysis of soft tissues;
- Discomfort or pain associated with a fragment of an instrument getting into a tooth hole. The likelihood of this situation occurring is low, but if it does occur, it may lead to tooth extraction.
- Fracture of the tooth root. This situation may arise due to the doctor's unprofessionalism. With high-quality qualified removal of the nerve, such cases should not occur. A broken root cannot be treated, and as a result, the tooth will need to be removed.
Nerve damage during tooth extraction
Damage to the nerve during tooth extraction is accompanied by such symptoms as loss of sensitivity in the lip, chin, tongue or cheeks. Depending on how badly the nerve was damaged, its recovery may take from several days to several months. Sometimes complications are possible in the form of incomplete restoration of the nerve, which entails such a consequence as permanent loss of sensitivity. Dentists consider this complication after tooth extraction to be one of the most dangerous. Treatment of such conditions is carried out with the help of vitamins B and C, as well as injections with dibazol. Electrophoresis with anesthetics and vitamin B, and a course of acupuncture may be prescribed.
If a tooth aches after nerve removal
If a tooth aches after nerve removal, this may mean both a completely natural reaction associated with the cessation of the anesthetic effect, and any development of complications. Aching sensations in the tooth after nerve removal may be accompanied by increased sensitivity of the tooth, pain when biting. Sometimes sudden pains may appear, usually intensifying at night, causing headaches and a general deterioration in health. If a tooth aches after nerve removal, you can take a painkiller tablet to relieve discomfort. A rinse made from iodine, salt or soda will also help relieve discomfort in the tooth. To prepare it, add 5 drops of iodine and one teaspoon of soda or salt to a glass of water, then rinse the aching tooth, holding the solution in the mouth for one to two minutes. Usually, pains of this nature go away in a day, maximum - three. But there are also cases when pain after nerve removal may indicate the development of an inflammatory process that requires immediate medical intervention.
If inflammation develops, the pain will only increase over time, and if you do not see a doctor in a timely manner, this can lead to serious complications.
If a tooth pulsates after nerve removal
If a tooth pulsates after nerve removal, this may be a sign of damage and incomplete removal. The main symptoms of nerve damage are intense pulsation, acute pain, and hypersensitivity in the tooth. The pain may radiate to nearby teeth, as well as to the neck, ears, or temples. This indicates the development of an inflammatory process associated with incomplete removal of the nerve and requires immediate medical attention.
If a tooth hurts after nerve removal
There are frequent cases when a tooth hurts after nerve removal. There may be several reasons for this. Firstly, during the process of nerve removal, bleeding occurs in the upper part of the tooth root, the nerve separates from the nerve trunk. These factors significantly affect the occurrence of pain after nerve removal. Secondly, after nerve removal, a tooth may hurt if there was an accumulation of pus in it. In such cases, pain usually occurs during biting. In such a situation, treatment is necessary to eliminate the inflammatory process in nearby tissues. Thirdly, the causes of toothache after nerve removal may include treatment of the canals with medications that cause irritation and provoke pain. If the nerve was not completely removed, as well as if any mistakes were made during its removal - all this can undoubtedly cause the development of pain. After the elimination of the pulp, pain in the tooth can persist for three to five days.
However, after the nerve is removed, the pain should not bother you for such a long time. If the tooth does not stop hurting after the nerve is removed, this is a good reason to see a dentist.
Complications of tooth nerve removal
Complications of tooth nerve removal may include the following:
- incomplete nerve extraction;
- open root canals, poor quality filling;
- development of pain and inflammation due to the penetration of microorganisms as a result of poor antiseptic treatment.
Tooth after nerve removal
After the nerve is removed and the canals are pre-cleaned, the tooth must be carefully filled. If necessary, a temporary filling can be installed first, and only after a follow-up visit to the dentist – a permanent filling. Since the tooth becomes much weaker after the nerve is removed, many dentists recommend installing a ceramic crown. If the canals are filled poorly, repeated treatment may be necessary.
Darkening of the tooth after nerve removal
Darkening of the tooth after nerve removal is quite common. In order to restore its whiteness, you can use the method of intracanal bleaching. For this, the cavity of the tooth is filled with a special whitening gel. Before the whitening procedure, the filling is removed from the darkened tooth and the root canals are thoroughly cleaned. Then the tooth opening is filled with whitening gel and a temporary filling is installed. After fourteen days, depending on the result, repeated bleaching can be carried out if the darkening on the tooth remains. In some cases, several procedures are required to achieve the maximum effect, but no more than four. After the tooth acquires whiteness, it is restored. Depending on the duration of the whitening effect, repeated endodontic bleaching can be carried out in about a year. Whitening of a depulped tooth is not recommended for children, as well as pregnant and lactating women. The procedure is also contraindicated in the presence of allergic reactions to hydrogen peroxide, as well as in case of hypersensitivity of teeth.
Why did the tooth darken after nerve removal?
If a tooth darkens after nerve removal, this may be due to poor filling, insufficient expansion and treatment with disinfectants. For complete disinfection, the disinfectant solution must penetrate to the upper part of the root, thereby providing intracanal bleaching. This procedure takes about thirty minutes to treat one canal. Accordingly, if there are several canals, the procedure can take from one to one and a half hours, after which filling is performed. If a tooth darkens after nerve removal, you can restore its whiteness by using the intracanal bleaching method using a gel specially designed for this purpose.
How much does it cost to remove a tooth nerve?
The question of how much it costs to remove a tooth nerve is decided individually at a dentist's appointment and depends on the complexity of the procedure, as well as on the choice of the clinic where it will be performed. As a rule, removing a tooth nerve is accompanied by cleaning the canal, treating it with antiseptic substances and filling the canal. Namely: removing a tooth nerve includes such stages as introducing an anesthetic into the oral cavity, treating the tooth and opening access to the pulp, directly removing the nerve and filling the canal. Performing all these procedures is part of the endodontic therapy complex and affects the cost of removing a tooth nerve.