If you have severe toothache or sensitivity in one or more of your teeth, it can be an indication of a pulp infection. To preserve your natural tooth and restore its health, our dentists may recommend root canal therapy. At our practice, we routinely perform root canals with minimum to no pain, so you can rest assured that your dental care is in experienced hands. However, many patients have anxiety before getting a root canal and wonder about the duration of the procedure. Read ahead to learn the procedural details of a root canal treatment.
What Is A Root Canal?
A root canal is an endodontic treatment that involves the removal of infected or inflamed pulp tissue from a tooth. The dental pulp is a vital organ that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. When it becomes infected due to dental cavities or trauma, it may cause painful symptoms that can disrupt your normal routine.
That’s why our dentists recommend root canal therapy to extract the damaged pulp, disinfect the canals and seal them permanently. Timely intervention with this endodontic procedure can help preserve the remaining structure of your natural tooth.
How Long Is The Procedure of A Root Canal?
The duration of the procedure depends on multiple factors, including the type and number of teeth involved. Typically, it takes longer than a dental filling because the process involves more steps. Simple root canals of single-rooted teeth may take 30 to 45 minutes.
However, certain cases of multi-rooted teeth may take longer than an hour. It also depends on the number of canals, their location, length, and curvature. In complex cases, our dentists will schedule multiple appointments to complete the procedure. It allows your tooth to heal in between, giving you more time to adjust to the new changes in your mouth.
What To Expect From The Treatment?
During your initial consultation, our dentist will examine your oral cavity to assess your needs. If we think that a root canal is the best treatment for you, we will discuss the details of the process.
We perform the procedure under local anesthesia to minimize pain and sensitivity. Once the tooth is numb, we will drill a hole in the tooth surface to access the pulp. Our dentist will carefully extract the damaged pulp, debride the canals and reshape them.
The next step is to seal the canals with gutta-percha (a rubber-like material). We will initially close the access cavity with a temporary filling and later replace it with a permanent one. For added strength and protection, our dentists recommend covering root-canal-treated teeth with dental crowns.
Got More Queries? Contact Us Today
Root canals may sound scary and painful, but our team at Spring Cypress Dental will ensure to make your experience as comfortable as possible. If you have any more questions regarding the procedure, visit our practice or call (281) 256-3222 to book an appointment. We are here to help!