Root Canal Procedure: How Long Does It Take?

When you hear your dentist mention you need a root canal to eliminate the severe toothache your experience in a specific tooth, you think of every excuse to try and avoid or delay the treatment. You worry about the pain root canals can cause and the expenses without considering how much time the dentist needs to complete the treatment.

You accept the dentist’s proposal to treat your infected tooth by receiving a root canal only after they warn you that the alternative to avoid or delay the treatment can result in extraction of the tooth to require replacement solutions to close the gap between your teeth. However, you need to consider the time needed for the treatment, thinking it is as straightforward as cleaning your teeth.

You express confidence in your judgment by not inquiring about the time required for the treatment recommended by the endodontist in Garrettsville, OH, because the specialist needs merely 30 to 60 minutes to complete a root canal on an anterior tooth. However, suppose you need therapy on a molar. In that case, the specialist requires more time and may take about 90 minutes or more because molars have multiple canals, and they must identify all of them to ensure they offer comprehensive treatment. You may also require multiple appointments in rare cases.

The timeline for receiving root canal therapy near you should be fine because the treatment helps eradicate an infection inside your tooth with the potential to affect your entire body. Therefore after receiving a recommendation to have a root canal from a specialist, you must start inquiring what made you susceptible to receiving intensive therapy to ensure you never become a victim of a similar infection again.

What Made You Vulnerable to a Root Canal?

Endodontists do not suggest root canals if you complain about mild toothaches without infections in your mouth or injuries that might have allowed bacteria to penetrate the tooth and infect it from within to create a severe illness. The symptoms common with dental pulp infections include persistent tooth pain coming and going repeatedly, temperature sensitivity, tooth discoloration, swollen gums, pain when touching or chewing with the tooth, and chips and cracks on the affected tooth.

What Is Involved in the Root Canal Procedure?

Endodontic procedures to eradicate infections from your tooth are straightforward. The specialist eliminates the condition inside the tooth and disinfects it before filling and sealing the chamber to preserve a healthy tooth structure.

Root canal therapy in Garrettsvile, OH, is as straightforward as described above but includes other modalities you must endure when receiving the treatment.

The specialist numbs the affected tooth and the surrounding area to ensure you don’t experience discomfort. After your mouth is numb, the specialist drills the affected tooth to create an access hole to expose the infected or inflamed dental pulp. Using flexible instruments, the specialist cleans the infection and removes the infected pulp before disinfecting the tooth. Finally, they place a biocompatible rubber-like filling gutta-percha with adhesives to prevent reinfection and reinforce your tooth.

You don’t realize any of the above because you think the specialist completed the treatment in minutes, even after spending over an hour in the specialist’s chair.

Time Required for Root Canals

The time required for root canals varies on the number of roots in the tooth and the extent of the damage created by the infection.

Generally, root canals require one or two visits to the specialist, and the time for each visit is between 30 to 90 minutes. However, as explained earlier, a canine specialist completes the treatment in 45 to 60 minutes if you need this therapy. Premolars require 60 minutes or more because they have one or two roots. However, the most extended time is taken by the molars at the back of your mouth, needing 90 minutes or more and a couple of visits in some cases.

Getting a root canal is merely part of the procedure because the therapy ensures the infection is no longer in your tooth. However, the treatment also renders your tooth fragile, making a restoration with a dental crown essential for aesthetics and functionality, depending on which tooth received the treatment. In addition, dental crowns require two separate appointments with your dentist because they need customization before covering your treated tooth by encasing it entirely. After you receive your dental restoration, you can continue using the tooth for many years like your remaining teeth because endodontic therapy has an incredible success rate.

If you are concerned by severe toothache in a specific tooth, Garrettsvile Dental Group can help you eliminate the problem by identifying infections within and performing root canal therapy. Kindly arrange an appointment with them today to find relief from the pain and sensitivity and preserve your natural tooth before the specialist suggests extracting it.