How Long Does a Root Canal Take to Finish?

A root canal procedure has got to be one of the most feared and misunderstood dental procedures, next to tooth extraction, of course! Most people who have been asked to undergo this dental procedure will more often assume that the procedure will be excruciatingly painful.

This, however, is not true. A root canal procedure is performed under local anesthesia. It is conducted to eliminate damaged, infected, and rotting tissue in your tooth’s root so that your natural tooth can be preserved.

In a nutshell, root canal treatment is necessary if your tooth’s pulp section becomes damaged or infected, but the rest of the tooth is still stable, intact, and healthy. The procedure targets to carefully eliminate the affected pulp section within the root canal region of the tooth, seal it and restore the rest of your natural tooth to be structurally sound to perform its functions.

A root canal procedure could mean losing your tooth or salvaging it to serve you.

How Long Will the Dental Procedure Last?

This dental procedure could be performed anywhere between 30 minutes and three hours. In other instances, the endodontist could take at least two dental visits to complete the procedure.

The duration of your procedure will be determined by the scale of the infection you are facing and the affected tooth. The fewer the number of canals the endodontist has to work on, the shorter the procedure will take.

For instance, a root canal procedure on a molar with four canals will take longer than that on a canine or incisor that typically has a single root. The actual procedure on a tooth with a single root will take about 45 minutes, but sealing and restoring it with a customized crown can take 90 minutes altogether.

If you are getting your dental crown fitted on the same day, you have your root canal procedure; then the procedure will take an additional 1 hour. This is not usually the case. In most cases, our dentist in Brantford may ask you to get your crown fitted in on the next dental appointment to ensure that the infection is completely dealt with before putting in the crown.

The first dental appointment will involve eradicating the infection from the tooth’s canal. Our dentist will apply an antibiotic at the end of the procedure and send you home.

On the next visit, the root canal will be examined for any signs of infection, cleaned, filled, sealed, and the tooth restored using a temporary or permanent crown.

Signs That You Need a Root Canal

Here are some key indicators which may signify that you need to visit or contact our dental clinic for the procedure:

• Persistent and severe tooth sensitivity
• Persistent tooth pain
• Facial inflammation and neck pain
• Having a discolored or darkened tooth
• Swollen and irritated gums
• If you have undergone dental trauma and have a fractured, chipped, or cracked tooth that is causing you any discomfort or pain
• Having a loose permanent tooth
• Having an abscess which is a life-threatening tooth infection that requires immediate medical attention
• Pimples or swellings on the gums

Any of these symptoms could indicate that you need to undergo a root canal procedure. Our dentist can help determine if you need to undergo the procedure or if these symptoms indicate a different dental issue, such as a cavity or gum disease.

Root Canal Causes

A root canal procedure is an extensive dental procedure that becomes necessary after a culmination of dental issues. Several factors may force you to undergo a root canal treatment down the line, and these may include:

• Not Keeping Up With Your Dental Appointments

Regular dental appointments ensure that the dental issue you are facing, such as tooth decay, is caught and dealt with early enough before it can result in an infection that spreads to your pulp section. Irregular dental visits can expose you to different factors that may cause a tooth infection.

• Poor Oral Hygiene Practices

This is the gateway for most dental issues. Poor brushing and flossing habits can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease, eventually leading to an infection within the pulp that requires a root canal procedure.

• An Untreated Gum Disease

Periodontal disease can gradually build up and become severe over time if not dealt with. It can lead to gum inflammation, abscesses, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. Ignoring gum disease can force you to undergo a root canal procedure in the future to save your teeth from extraction.

Contact us today at AVA Dentistry if you suspect or need to undergo a root canal procedure.