A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need for more invasive replacement procedures.
At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels and nerves that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by traumatic injury, deep decay, cracks, chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of an infection can be identified as visible damage of the tooth, swelling of the face, sudden change in sensitivity to temperature or pain and swelling in the tooth and gums.
If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist may recommend endodontic (root canal) treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. This injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and sealed.
This therapy involves an effective dose of local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required. Success for this type of treatment occurs in about 90% of cases. If your tooth is not amenable to endodontic treatment or the chance of success is unfavorable, you will be informed at the time of consultation or when a complication becomes evident during or after treatment.
After completion of your endodontic (root canal) therapy you may be instructed to return to your dentist’s office within a couple of weeks for the final restoration. Often times he/she will fabricate a custom crown to offer added protection for your tooth.
It is rare for complications after routine endodontic treatment or microsurgery. However, if a problem does occur, we are available at all times to respond. To prevent further decay, and re-infection of your tooth, continue to practice good dental hygiene and be evaluated regularly at your dentist’s office.
The costs associated with this procedure can vary depending on factors such as the severity of the damage to the affected tooth and the type of tooth that is affected. In general, endodontic treatment is much less expensive than tooth removal and replacement with an artificial tooth. At your consultation appointment we will be able to discuss all of your treatment options and provide a custom treatment plan that addresses your needs.
Root canals usually take about 60 to 90 minutes, but the amount of time depends on the anatomy of your tooth and how inflamed or infected it is. In some cases, treatment may be multiple visits depending on the amount of inflammation and infection present inside of your tooth.
Yes, you will be awake during your root canal treatment. Getting a root canal is similar to getting a cavity filled—general anesthesia (being put to sleep) is not needed. If you have dental anxiety, let us know and we can discuss options for sedation to help you feel calm and relaxed during your procedure.
Most patients simply feel pressure and movement, but not pain. You may have some discomfort as a result of keeping your mouth open for an extended amount of time—just like any other dental procedure, it might not be your idea of fun, but it’s usually not painful.
We recommend that you take a combination of an anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) along with acetaminophen (Tylenol) following your procedure. If you cannot take ibuprofen, then acetaminophen (Tylenol) alone would be the next best thing. In certain instances, the doctor will prescribe you an antibiotic, and/or possibly an additional medication for pain. All instructions regarding medication will be thoroughly reviewed with you before you leave, and you will also be given written instructions.
It is recommended that you have your permanent restoration placed 2-3 weeks after your root canal treatment. This gives your tooth time to heal, but not longer than one month after the procedure. This step is imperative for the long-term prognosis of your tooth. Without a final restoration to protect the tooth it is at risk for fracture or re-infection.