Has your endodontist recommended you a root canal? If yes, there's nothing to worry about. Dental experts save over 15 million teeth every year. The procedure needs to be done when your tooth nerve gets damaged due to bacteria penetrating and interrupting its blood supply, thus causing infection and inflammation. Many people ask, “how long does a root canal take?” This guide explains the process and other information you must know before going for it.
When Do You
Need a Root Canal Procedure?
A root canal procedure, also known as endodontic treatment,
becomes necessary when the soft tissue, the pulp, in your root canal gets
infected or inflamed. This can happen due to several reasons:
●
Deep decay due to repeated
tooth procedures
●
Chip or crack in the tooth
●
A tooth injury-causing pulp
damage
●
Pump infection or
inflammation left untreated
Your dentist may recommend you a root canal procedure if you
show any of these symptoms:
●
Severe pain while biting or
chewing
●
Pimples on gums
●
Cracked or chipped tooth
●
Tender or swollen gums
●
Darkening or deep decay of
the gums
●
Extreme sensitivity to cold or hot even after removing the sensation
Step by Step
Root Canal Procedure
You need to visit your endodontist’s clinic 2-3 times to get
the treatment done. Here are the steps involved:
●
After examining your tooth
radiograph, the endodontist gives you local anesthesia to numb the tooth.
●
They place a dental dam to
isolate the affected tooth.
●
They make an opening in the
tooth crown and use tiny instruments to clean any pulp from the root canals and
pulp chamber.
●
They make a space for the
filling and fill the root canal with a biocompatible material.
●
During the final visit, the
endodontist places a crown over the tooth to add protection and bring it back
to full function.
Time Required for
the Procedure
How long does a root canal take? It depends on your tooth
complexity, apart from the endodontist’s skill and equipment. The entire
treatment will be completed in around half a month, as you have to visit the
dentist’s office three times, each appointment being fixed a week apart.
- The first visit is the longest and takes around an hour.
During this visit, the dentist seals the root canal with a milk tooth inactivator to dehydrate and kill the pulp. - The second visit takes around 25 minutes, during which the dentist prepares the tooth for the root canal. They completely remove the pulp and pour an antiseptic solution into the pulp chamber. They clean the pulp cavity properly and use a needle to measure the canal’s length.
- The third visit takes around 40
minutes, during which they insert filling into the cavity and ensure that it matches the root canal’s shape. Once it is filled, they completely seal the canal to prevent any bacterial penetration.
With the latest advancements in the
medicinal field, dentists can now complete all three steps in one single visit.
Such an all-inclusive procedure takes around 2 hours, but keeping your mouth
open for such a long time can injure your mouth muscles. Thus ensure to check
with your dentist for the best procedure and treatment plan to get your root
canal done.