If you are a patient or have someone in your family or a friend who wants to know how long a root canal takes, sit back; you are in the right place. At Dental Fresh Smiles, we have all the answers about dental procedures. However, you may not be sure what this procedure is all about.
What Is A Root Canal Procedure?
A root canal is also known as endodontic treatment. A root canal is a procedure where your dental health care professional removes soft tissue from your tooth after the tooth gets inflamed or infected. The expert focuses on eliminating the tissues, also known as dental pulp. This tissue contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue responsible for feeding your tooth’s root and keeping the tooth healthy.
Extensive decay will occur when your dental pulp is damaged or deteriorates due to tooth damage. This infection or neglect can lead to painful pus-filled pockets or abscesses at the root of your tooth.
The only way you can save your tooth and prevent reinfection is by having your dental expert perform a root canal procedure.
Typically, root canals can be done by your dentist. However, don’t be surprised if you are referred to an endodontist to perform this procedure on you. An endodontist is a dental expert specializing in the dental pulp. The expert’s additional training includes – pain diagnosis, pain management, and other treatments necessary for saving your natural teeth.
Some Highlights of the Root Canal Procedure
Don’t expect much difference between a root canal and other dental procedures. Just like filling, the root canal treatment is typically an in-house, same-day process that can occur in your regular dentist’s office. First, like with a filing session, your dentist applies medication to numb your nerves surrounding the affected teeth or tooth. After that, the expert injects local anesthesia into the target area.
When your gum and tooth are numb, the professional drills a hole in the top of the affected tooth. This hole exposes the infected pulp for treatment. First, your dentist cleans out the pulp using an antibiotic. This cleaning covers the coat and the inside of the tooth. The therapy helps to wade off further reinfection of the affected area. The dental professional then fills and seals the tooth with a synthetic or plastic material and then covers it with a sealant and temporary filling material.
However, take note root canals are carried out under local anesthesia. Thus, these procedures might be more painful than other dental treatment procedures. So, don’t be surprised if you experience some numbness, soreness, or mild discomfort persisting for 24-48 hours after the treatment. However, the good thing is that you can manage these experiences using over-the-counter pain medications. But almost all patients return to their daily activities the same day they undergo the procedure.
In any case, the pain you feel from the infected tooth surpasses the pain you feel after undergoing root canal treatment.
How Long Does the Root Canal Take?
Typically, a root canal procedure takes longer than the routine filling procedure. There are reasons for this additional cost. Remember, besides the extra preparation, anesthesia, and setup, the whole nerve of your tooth has to be curved out, disinfected, rinsed, and sealed. In many cases, simple root canals need a single appointment lasting between half an hour and one hour.
Nevertheless, severe root canal cases might require 90 minutes and more to perform. In addition, some patients might require -not a single appointment – but a second appointment if your endodontist or dentist recommends a crown tooth or a permanent filling.
In a nutshell, the time needed to perform this procedure depends on several factors, including the type of teeth that requires this procedure and the number of canals that need cleaning.
For instance, consider what the following types of teeth require regarding the number of treatments.
- Canines and incisors. These types of teeth are found in the front of your mouth, and you cut and tear and cut when you eat. In addition, these teeth have a single root. This fact makes them easier and faster to fill and treat.
- Premolars. These teeth are found toward the middle of your teeth. Premolars have one or two roots; thus, cleaning them out may take longer – about one or more hours.
- Molars. These are the large teeth at the back of your mouth. These teeth can have up to four canals. So, root canals done on these can take 90 minutes or more.
Cost of Root Canal Procedure
How much you pay for this procedure depends on the dental professional you entrust with the treatment. You want to use a reliable, credible, and highly qualified dental health expert to administer this procedure to you and your loved ones.
As you consider the cost, take a look at the credentials of the expert offering the service. For instance, look at their certification and licensure. You’ll know you are in the hands of a proficient dental health expert when you look at these considerations.
What’s more, our root canal and other dental services are among the most affordable. So don’t gamble with your smile and dental health; book your appointment now by visiting https://dental32freshsmiles.com/. We are committed to offering \you the most affordable and professional dental health services in this region.