How Long Does a Root Canal Procedure Take?

Bacteria can enter the pulp of a tooth and cause an infection. When this happens, root canal therapy is required to save the tooth. The infected pulp is removed during this procedure, and the tooth is sealed to prevent reinfection.

Root canal therapy is a dental procedure used to alleviate pain caused by an infected or abscessed tooth. The inflamed pulp is removed during the root canal procedure. After cleaning and disinfecting the inside surfaces of the tooth, a filling is placed to seal the space.

When Do You Need a Root Canal?

Root canal therapy, also called endodontic therapy, is required when oral bacteria infiltrate the pulp inside your tooth. This usually occurs when a cavity is left untreated for an extended period. It can also happen if your tooth is cracked or damaged due to trauma. Some of the signs that you may require root canal treatment near you include

• Tooth pain that won’t go away: Tooth pain can be caused by various dental issues. You may require root canal therapy if you are experiencing pain deep within your tooth. Your jaw, face, or other teeth may also be in pain.
• Heat and cold sensitivity: If your tooth hurts when you take hot coffee or eat ice cream, you may need root canal treatment. This is, however, true if the pain persists for a long time.
• Swollen gums: When a tooth becomes infected, pus can collect in the surrounding area. This can result in puffy, swollen, or painful gums.
• Swollen jaw: Occasionally, pus does not drain from the site. As a result, your jaw may swell visibly.
• Tooth discolouration occurs when a tooth’s pulp becomes infected, causing the tooth to appear darker. This is due to a lack of blood supply to the tooth.
• If you experience pain when eating or touching your tooth, this could indicate that the nerves surrounding the pulp have been damaged.
• A chipped or cracked tooth: If you break a tooth in an accident while by biting down on something hard or even playing sports, bacteria can enter the tooth pulp.
• Loose tooth: A tooth that is infected may feel looser. This is because the pus from an infected pulp can soften the jawbone that supports the tooth.

How Long Does A Root Canal Procedure Take?

Undergoing root canal treatment near you may require one to two appointments, depending on the extent of the infected tooth. A root canal treatment typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Treating a larger tooth with multiple roots can take an hour and a half.

What Occurs During the Root Canal Procedure at Sunset Point Dental?

Before beginning your root canal, your dentist in Clearwater, FL, will take dental X-rays of the affected tooth. This helps determine the damage’s extent and whether root canal therapy is the best treatment option. During your root canal procedure, the following steps will be completed:

• Anesthesia. To numb the infected tooth and surrounding gums, local anaesthesia is used. To help you relax, nitrous oxide, oral sedatives, and intravenous (IV) sedation are all used in dentistry. If you have dental anxiety, your doctor may suggest sedation.
• Installation of a dental dam. Before beginning the root canal treatment, a small rubber dam is placed over the site. This isolates your affected tooth and keeps it dry during the procedure.
• Point of entry. The pulp is then accessed via a small opening in the tooth’s crown.
• The pulp is removed. The nerves, blood vessels, and tissues inside the tooth are removed using tiny dental instruments.
• Canals are being built. The pulp chamber and root are exposed when the pulp is removed. After the pulp is removed, the pulp chamber and the root canals are cleaned, disinfected, and shaped.
• The canals are filling up. Gutta-percha, a flexible, rubbery dental material, is then used to fill the empty canals.
• The tooth is being sealed. The tooth is then filled with a temporary dental filling to prevent bacteria from re-entering.
• The final restoration is being installed. A dental crown will be required to protect the treated tooth and restore your bite. Crowns are made to order and typically take two to three weeks to complete. When your crown is finished, the temporary filling is removed, and the permanent crown is installed.