What’s Root Canal Therapy?

In cases of injuries, inflammation, and decay inside the tooth, it’s necessary to remove the pulp, which is referred to as root canal treatment.

In the past, to alleviate pain and inflammation, the whole tooth had to be removed. Now, with modern dental equipment, it’s possible to retain the tooth and only remove the affected part.

Many patients wonder how long a root canal takes. The pulp is removed in two sessions, the canal is cleaned, and a crown is placed. The recovery period lasts about a week, during which there’s some minor discomfort in the initial days following the procedure.

When You Need a Root Canal Treatment – Symptoms

The most prevalent and distinct symptom that almost all patients report is pain.

If you feel persistent tooth pain or pain that returns despite remedies, it’s imperative to consult a dentist promptly, without waiting for complications or worsening the condition of the affected tooth. Otherwise, the treatment may be prolonged, which can be not only exhausting but also costly.

The causes of root canal inflammation can vary, and each condition has a specific pain:

Disease	Symptoms
Irreversible pulpitis – arises due to infection, trauma, or unskilled dental procedures.	Patients describe the pain as deep, dull, and throbbing. It occurs when consuming hot and cold beverages, sweet and salty food, and when biting down.
Periodontitis – begins due to bacterial infection or mechanical damage.	The pain is constant, intensifying over time, and patients can pinpoint the exact location of the discomfort. Pain occurs when biting and chewing, the mucous membranes of the mouth swell, and the tooth itself changes color.
A cyst is a complication from periodontitis or poorly performed previous root canal treatment.	The tooth may darken, but no additional symptoms appear. The only instance when the disease progresses without pain is often diagnosed accidentally.
Pulp necrosis occurs after prolonged tissue inflammation that was not treated.	Patients say the pain is constant and unending. Pain occurs with any pressure on the tooth. A specific sign is no reaction to cold or hot, which indicates that the nerve endings are already dead.

To detect any dental disease in time, it’s essential to visit a dentist for routine check-ups once a year. 

Risks and Benefits Of a Root Canal Therapy

Are you afraid of dentists and dental procedures? The doctors at VIP Dental Care perform root canal procedures gently and with utmost comfort. There’s nothing to fear! You can always discuss your fears with the dentist.

However, it’s crucial to understand that delaying treatment in the long run is both disadvantageous and costly. Benefits of root canal treatment:

• The source of infection is eliminated, so bacteria can’t spread to healthy teeth. This saves money in the long run, which would otherwise be spent on subsequent treatments.
• The pain will immediately go away! Many people, out of fear of dental procedures, prefer to endure pain, hoping it will subside. This approach is mistaken, as the pain not only persists but intensifies over time.
• Delaying therapy poses a significant risk of infecting the jaw, which then can only be addressed surgically.
• You get to keep your natural tooth.

Another undeniable advantage of the procedure is its speed. How long does a root canal treatment last? As we previously discussed, the procedure itself is done over two sessions, and the root canal recovery period lasts no longer than a week.

Are there risks with root canal treatments? The procedure itself is safe and has a limited set of contraindications. However, there are risks of complications if the procedure is not performed properly by the dentist.

Preparing for the Root Canal Procedure

Informational Preparation 

First and foremost, clarify all questions about root canal treatment with your attending physician to ensure that all stages during the procedure are clear, expected, and do not cause unnecessary stress.

Medical History Collection 

In preparation for the procedure, the doctor will ask about any individual intolerances and allergies to medications. It’s essential not to withhold any information about allergic reactions, especially to drugs. This way, the doctor can choose a safe anesthetic for you that will numb the target area most effectively without causing side effects.

Medicinal Preparation 

A few days before the appointment, if necessary, your treating doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and prepare your body for the upcoming dental intervention.

Dietary Preparation 

Eating is not prohibited before the procedure, and sometimes it’s even recommended because you can’t consume food while the numbing agents are active. To avoid being hungry, you can have a snack before the session.

Avoid Smoking and Alcohol 

In the preparation period before the procedure, it’s advisable to refrain from alcohol and smoking to ensure the effect and duration of anesthesia are more predictable.

The Root Canal Procedure Step-by-Step

Before the procedure, an X-ray of the affected tooth is taken to assess the extent of the damage and guide the intervention.

Steps of root canal treatment:

1. Numbing the Target Area 

To ensure the patient feels nothing during the procedure, the dentist administers a local anesthetic to the teeth and gums. If the patient has significant anxiety related to the upcoming procedure, the dentist might prescribe mild sedatives, which have a calming effect on the nervous system.

2. Preparing the Tooth for the Procedure 

A rubber dam, or “cofferdam,” is placed to keep the tooth dry during the treatment and isolate the target tooth.

3. Gaining Access to the Pulp 

A small hole is made in the tooth to access the pulp.

4. Removal of the Root Canal Pulp

The affected and inflamed pulp is removed. Using small instruments, the dentist thoroughly cleans the root canal of venous, arterial, and nerve vessels.

5. Canal Shaping 

The canal is then shaped, cleaned, and disinfected. The dentist meticulously clears all canals and tiny offshoots to prevent re-infection.

6. Sealing the Canal and Tooth 

The canal is filled with a soft, flexible dental material, and then a temporary filling is placed.

To fully complete the root canal treatment, a crown needs to be fitted, serving as a permanent protection against infection and food and preserving the physiological bite. During a second visit, the dentist removes the temporary filling and places the crown.

Root Canal: Potential Complications and What to Watch For

After the procedure, the inflammation site is gone, and the tooth no longer hurts. However, the surrounding tissues remain sensitive for some time due to the intervention. Ask your dentist to prescribe pain relievers. This quickly resolves any discomfort you might feel.

Side Effects of a Root Canal

Side effects include: re-infection of the tooth tissues, subsequent inflammation, sinus infection, and abscesses on the gums. Such problems can arise due to:

• Tooth chipping;
• A hidden root crack;
• Material defect;
• A missed canal during cleaning. 

Root Canal After Effects

Remember that after a root canal procedure, the tooth should no longer cause pain. If you feel pain immediately after the procedure, something might have gone wrong, and you should consult your dentist right away. 

With expert treatment, complications should not arise. So, always check the reputation of the clinic and the specialist, and read reviews. If you have concerns, schedule an additional appointment for the expert to monitor your recovery process. 

Dental treatment shouldn’t be feared. It’s easier to visit the dentist twice and forget about the pain forever than to endure discomfort for several months, wait for tooth extraction, and subsequently spend more money, time, and patience.

Turn to the specialists at VIP Dental Care to quickly alleviate your tooth pain!

Root Canal Treatment: Most Common Questions