Non-Surgical Root Canal

A simple root canal procedure may normally require one appointment of between 30 and 60 minutes. More serious cases could take longer than 90 minutes and a second appointment. The time depends on the number of canals to be cleaned and the type of tooth requiring treatment.

It’s no more uncomfortable or painful than a normal filling. It actually helps ease the pain of a tooth infection. The local area is numbed during treatment to ensure a pain-free experience.

Teeth can’t heal themselves, unlike other parts of the body. If ignored, infection and inflammation can spread to other teeth, other areas of the mouth, or even other body tissues. A root canal is the only way to remove the infected pulp and clean and preserve a natural tooth. The other alternative is tooth extraction, which is more invasive, painful, time-consuming, and expensive as the extracted tooth must be replaced too.

The overall structure of the tooth will be weakened after the procedure as the tooth’s inner pulp is removed. But restorations like crowns or onlays can reinforce it. Talk to Dr. Williams if you have any concerns in this regard.

Very hot and cold foods and drinks; sticky foods like gum, candy, and caramel; chewy foods like steak and crusty bread; crunchy foods like pretzels and tortilla chips; and hard foods like nuts should be avoided for a while post-treatment.

A root canal refers to endodontic treatment that removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside your tooth, and there are two main types: non-surgical and surgical approaches. Non-surgical root canal treatment is the most common method, performed through the crown of your tooth without any incisions in your gum tissue. This procedure removes infected pulp containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that became infected due to deep decay, trauma, or repeated dental procedures. Surgical root canal (apicoectomy) is only used when non-surgical treatment fails or isn’t possible, requiring a small incision in the gum to access the tooth root tip. Unlike other parts of your body, teeth cannot heal themselves, making root canal treatment essential to prevent infection from spreading to other teeth or body tissues.

A simple root canal procedure typically requires one appointment lasting between 30 to 60 minutes for straightforward cases. More serious cases involving complex infections or multiple canals may take longer than 90 minutes and require a second appointment to complete properly. The exact duration depends on the number of canals that need cleaning and the specific type of tooth requiring treatment. Your dentist will assess your individual case during consultation to provide an accurate time estimate based on your tooth’s anatomy and condition.

Root canal treatment is no more uncomfortable or painful than receiving a normal dental filling. The procedure actually helps ease the pain caused by tooth infection rather than creating additional discomfort. Your dentist will numb the local area thoroughly during treatment to ensure a completely pain-free experience throughout the procedure. Many patients are surprised by how comfortable modern root canal techniques have become, with most experiencing immediate relief from the severe tooth pain they felt before treatment.

You may need a root canal if you experience severe tooth pain when chewing or applying pressure, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, or notice darkening of the affected tooth. Other warning signs include swelling and tenderness in nearby gums or a recurring pimple on the gums near the tooth. If left untreated, infection and inflammation can spread to other teeth, other areas of your mouth, or even other body tissues. Since some cases present without obvious symptoms, regular dental checkups and X-rays are crucial for early detection of pulp damage.

Root canals are not bad for you and represent the only way to remove infected pulp while preserving your natural tooth. This treatment is far less invasive, painful, time-consuming, and expensive than the alternative of tooth extraction followed by replacement procedures. While the tooth’s overall structure becomes slightly weakened after pulp removal, restorations like crowns or onlays can effectively reinforce it. Root canal therapy allows you to keep your natural tooth, which provides better long-term function and oral health compared to artificial replacements.

A properly performed root canal can last many years or even a lifetime with appropriate care and maintenance. The longevity depends on factors like post-treatment restoration quality, your oral hygiene habits, and regular dental checkups. Since the tooth structure is somewhat weakened after pulp removal, most dentists recommend placing a crown or onlay to reinforce and protect the treated tooth. With proper restoration and care, your root canal-treated tooth should function normally alongside your other natural teeth for decades to come.