Root Canal Treatment

During this procedure, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth and make a small hole in the top of the tooth to access the pulp inside. The pulp is then removed, and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sterilized. Afterwards, the dentist will fill the tooth with a special material and seal it to prevent further infection. In some cases, a crown may be placed over the tooth to provide additional support and protection. The entire root canal procedure can typically be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the severity of the damage or infection.

In general, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete. The length of the procedure depends on the number of canals in the tooth that need to be treated. Typically, a single-rooted tooth takes less time than a multi-rooted tooth.

With the use of local anaesthesia, patients can expect to feel little to no pain during the procedure. In fact, most patients report feeling more discomfort before the procedure due to the underlying dental issue. After the procedure, some mild discomfort or sensitivity may be experienced, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.

Ignoring the issue can lead to serious consequences. The infected tooth will continue to decay, and the bacteria can spread to the surrounding teeth and gums. This can result in more severe and painful dental issues, such as an abscess, which can lead to bone loss in the jaw. In some cases, the infection can even spread to other parts of the body, causing serious health problems.

In general, most people can expect to experience some discomfort and swelling for a few days after the procedure. Patients are typically advised to avoid chewing on the affected tooth and to take over-the-counter pain medications as needed.