Ask the Experts
ROOT CANAL Treatment
A root canal treatment involves the cleaning and removal of bacteria and pulp tissue from the root canal. The tooth is then filled and sealed. This process increases the functional lifespan of the tooth.
Root Canal Treatment Steps
The dental canal is examined using a panoramic x-ray, which allows the dentist to make their diagnosis and to determine the extent of damage.
A local anaesthetic is used to numb the surrounding tissue of the tooth.
The dentist will use a drill to open the tooth through the crown to remove any infected pulp. If you have an abscess the dentist will drain this.
The dentist will then clean and enlarge the root canal before filling and sealing it.
A crown is recommended to cover the tooth to protect it as a restored tooth is more likely to break than a healthy tooth. If the tooth has discoloured, whitening agents can be applied by the dentist.
How Many Sessions Does Root Canal Treatment Take?
The procedures may take one or several sessions depending on the condition of the tooth. In cases where the tooth is not alive, there is an infection at the root tip, there is swelling inside and outside the mouth, we place a substance in the canal and wait for the bacteria in this area to disappear.
Between sessions, we fill the teeth with temporary filling material. In this way, the relevant region can continue its function.
As we said, how many sessions of root canal treatment will depend on the condition of the tooth.
If your tooth is alive and the decay has just reached the pulp of the tooth, then we can perform the root canal treatment in a single session.
However, in cases where the tooth is inflamed and this inflammation passes to the root tip and causes symptoms in the bone, or when the face is swollen due to drainage, we can complete the root canal treatment in 2 or 3 sessions.
Since an anaesthetic is administered, a root canal isn’t more painful than a regular dental procedure, such as a filling or getting a wisdom tooth removed. However, the tooth is generally a bit sore or numb after the procedure, and can even cause mild discomfort for a few days.
Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack or chip in the tooth.