Dental Root Canal Procedures
A dental root canal is needed when there is infection or damage to a tooth's pulp. A dentist or endodontist performs a procedure to drill into the tooth, remove damaged pulp, fill the tooth canal and treat any infection.
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Number of Visits
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Depending on how many teeth are involved, a root canal will take one to two days. Follow-up visits are required to make sure the infection is gone.
Numbing or Sedation
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Depending on the patient, the dentist will initially numb the gum and area around the tooth. Patients with dental visit anxiety may request mild to moderate sedation treatments.
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Drilling
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Once the patient is comfortable, the dentist drills a hole in the top of the tooth to expose the tooth's pulp.
Measuring
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The dentist will measure the length of the root canal using either X-ray or an electrical device to determine if all the infected tissue is removed and how much material is needed to fill the canal.
Cleaning
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Using special instruments, the dentist will remove the infected tissue and clean the canal with a dental antiseptic solution.
Filling and Crown
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The dentist then fills the canal with a flexible plastic material and either the tooth will need a permanent filling or more likely a crown.
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