Devitalisation means causing the dental pulp, the tissue inside a tooth, to lose its vitality. In older descriptions of dental treatment, it often refers to placing a preparation inside the tooth before removing the pulp. This historical procedure is different from the overall process of root canal treatment.
Does every root canal treatment begin this way?
No. Modern treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthesia, allowing diseased pulp to be removed without a separate devitalisation stage. The aim is to clean the inside of the tooth and seal it against further infection, rather than simply to stop the pulp responding.
Why the terminology can be confusing
People sometimes call both a treated tooth and an untreated tooth with dead pulp a dead tooth. These are different situations. Pain disappearing does not prove that an infection has gone away. A lack of response to cold is also not enough to make your own diagnosis.
If you have a temporary filling
Keep the next appointment agreed with your dentist. Ask which stage has been completed and what remains to be done. Contact the practice if the temporary filling comes out or if pain or swelling increases.
Do not try to remove material from the tooth yourself. Bring any records of previous treatment. Knowing which preparation was used and when it was placed may help the dentist assess the tooth and plan the next step.