How Long Does The Root Canal Take?


Most people are aware of root canal treatment. Going through this blog can be really helpful for people who do not have a clear idea about the root canal procedure in detail. 

What is a Root Canal?

The root canal is basically the pulp cavity of the tooth that consists of blood vessels, pulp, and nerves. 

What is Root Canal Treatment?

A root canal treatment involves a series of dental treatments that are performed to remove the infected tissues in the root canal. Later, these tissues are replaced with a dental material. The root canal treatment is an effective way to eliminate bacterial infection and also prevent any sort of bacterial invasion in the days to come. 

Another term for root canal procedure is endodontic treatment and includes removal of infected, dead, inflamed, or infected dead pulp from the tooth. The dental pulp is a soft material consisting of the nerves and blood vessels that are found in the tooth’s center cavity or root canal. It actually supplies the tooth with “life”. 

Why Do You Need A Root Canal Procedure?

You need to know that some dental conditions can cause bacterial infection in the dental pulp which might ultimately demand a root canal treatment. In case you are experiencing or have experienced any of these dental practices or conditions, it might be time to go for a root canal treatment. 

  • If your tooth has received numerous dental procedure
  • If your tooth has been through some sort of impact or trauma that can or cannot be noticed virtually
  • If you have a chipped or cracked tooth
  • If you are suffering from severe dental cavities
  • If you do not maintain a proper oral hygiene routine
  • If you lead an unhealthy lifestyle
  • If you use the tooth for abrasive purposes

What are the Causes of Root Canal Infection?

Some of the common causes of root canal infection are being listed in the pointers below:

  • Tooth infection or dental cavities can penetrate the enamel layer of your tooth and ultimately reach the pulp cavity, causing infection in the root canal
  • Some kinds of dental damage such as chipped or cracked teeth can be the reason for dental decay and cause ultimately cause a root canal infection
  • Dental problems such as trauma to the tooth, severe dental decay, large dental fillings, recent dental procedures can also need root canal treatment

Signs and Symptoms of Root Canal Infection

  • Inflammation or swelling of the gums around the affected tooth or formation of an abscess.
  • Tenderness in the gums while biting or chewing.
  • Felling persistent pain while biting or chewing. It is also common to feel teeth sensitivity to exerted pressure on the affected area. But, you need to know that not tooth pains are a sign to get root canal treatment.
  • Super sensitive teeth to cold or hot food items and beverages.
  • The affected tooth is getting discolored or darkened.
  • Growth of small lump on the gum around the affected tooth.

You need to know that there are times when a patient might not even notice any sign or symptom. But, the most common symptom of root canal infection is tremendous dental pain that is caused due to injured or infected tooth pulp. 

Root Canal Procedure

The root canal procedure involves a few simple steps. They are:

  • Consulting a dentist who will take an X-ray of the affected tooth. It helps him/her to figure out the tooth is actually infected and requires a root canal treatment.
  • The affected area is then numbed with the help of anesthesia to not feel pain during the procedure.
  • A rubber dam is used to isolate the affected tooth from the surrounding environment and saliva.
  • A hole is drilled into the affected tooth with the help of a dental bur that lets one access the pulp cavity. 
  • The next step is to remove the dead or the infected pulp, nerve, and tissues. The pulp cavity is then cleaned properly. 
  • The pulp cavity is then filled with an inert rubber-like dental material referred to as gutta-percha, after cleaning and shaping it. You need to know that Gutta-percha is safe and absolutely compatible with your mouth. 
  • Restore the tooth crown with the help of a permanent or temporary filling.

Follow-Up Treatment

It is possible for the root canal process to be completed within a day (one day RCT). This can help to reduce the time required for this particular procedure. Though, your dentist can recommend you to go for a two-day root canal treatment. Both the visits can be spaced out by a week. A two-visit root canal treatment is generally advisable for people experiencing severe tenderness, inflammation, or tremendous pain from the affected tooth during the time of the treatment. 

While undergoing the root canal procedure, you should be careful to observe proper and good aftercare for the newly treated tooth. Once the treatment is completed, it is advisable to avoid chewing with the newly treated weak tooth before your dentist places the dental crown or the permanent filling. 

How Long Does A Root Canal Take?

The recent advancements in the field of dental technology have made it possible for root canal treatment to be done in a single visit by shortening the time needed for this process. The latest technology provides an efficient way to complete the root canal process in just a single visit which makes it a very popular choice in today’s time. 

Minor or simple root canal cases generally take about 30 minutes to 60 minutes of treatment. Although, a complex situation can need up to 90 minutes or even more. The progress of the root canal procedure depends on a few factors i.e the ability of the patient to sit with his/her mouth open, the anatomy or shape of the roots and tooth. Root canal treatment is absolutely safe and should not be the reason for any sort of fear or anxiety among patients. 

Is the Root Canal Treatment Very Painful?

The primary aim of root canal treatment is to alleviate pain. But, undergoing this treatment can make one go through some discomfort and anesthesia. These issues are easily resolved with the help of anesthesia. Discomfort and pain can ultimately return when the effect of anesthesia is gone. Over-the-counter medications and prescribed painkillers is also a way to reduce pain. If the troubles continue to bother, the patients should consult the dentist immediately. Schedule an appointment with our dentist today to know more about root canal treatment.

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