Sometimes, when bacteria enter the pulp of your tooth, it results in an infection. In such a situation, you need root canal treatment to save your natural tooth. You will need a tooth extraction to reform your oral health if not treated on time. So, most dentists suggest root canal treatment is the best option for preventing your natural tooth from getting extracted.

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure to repair and save a tooth damaged by decay, infection, or trauma. It’s a standard dental procedure and usually takes one or two appointments. This article will discuss how long root canal treatment takes and what you can expect during the process.

How Long Does Root Canal Treatment Take?

The duration of root canal treatment depends on the infection in your tooth. It often requires one or two appointments. Typically, root canal treatment can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half for each appointment in which it is performed. However, it may be shorter or longer, depending on the complexity of your case. The number of appointments also varies, but most patients require two meetings with their dentist to complete the entire process.

The Root Canal Procedure

During the root canal procedure, your dentist will use local anesthesia to numb the area around the affected tooth before drilling into it. They will then carefully remove any damaged tissue inside the tooth before cleaning out any bacteria or other debris using special instruments. After all the infected material is removed, they will fill and seal the inside of the tooth with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha before placing a crown over it for added protection.

Filing Down The Tooth

If there is not enough room for a crown after root canal treatment, your dentist may need to file down some of your healthy enamel so it can fit properly. This filing process takes about 15 minutes per tooth and helps ensure that your crown fits snugly against your teeth when placed.

Post-Root Canal Care

After you have finished your root canal treatment, you should follow all post-procedure instructions given by your dentist closely. It helps to ensure proper healing and recovery time for the best results. These instructions may include avoiding certain foods or activities for several days after the procedure and taking over-the-counter medications if needed for pain relief.

Conclusion

In conclusion, root canal treatment typically requires two visits with your dentist over several days to complete successfully. During these visits, your dentist will drill into your affected tooth and clean out any bacteria or other debris before filling up the inside with gutta-percha material and placing a crown over it for protection. Your dentist may also need to file down healthy enamel from around the affected tooth if there isn’t enough room for them to place a crown afterward.

Following post-procedure instructions provided by your dentist closely is essential for proper healing and recovery time after having root canal treatment performed on one or more teeth in your mouth! So, if you want to save your natural tooth, get your root canal treatment today!

FAQs

1) How painful is root canal treatment?

A: Root canal treatment generally does not cause pain since local anesthesia is used during the procedure.

2) How do I know if I need root canal treatment?

A: If you have severe pain while chewing food or brushing/flossing teeth, sensitivity when consuming hot/cold drinks, and persistent bad breath, you likely need root canal therapy.