How is a root canal performed?
How long
does it take?
Root canal treatment is one of the most common treatments in our dental clinics. This is because it is one of the main solutions against tooth decay, the most frequent oral disease. However, the vast majority of patients do not know how a root canal is performed.
If you need this treatment and want to know more details about it, keep reading. In this article, we will describe its steps and answer two of the most frequently asked questions about root canal treatment: its duration and whether it is painful.
What is a root canal?
A root canal, also known as endodontic treatment, is a procedure that aims to remove the dental pulp. The pulp is a soft tissue found inside the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Root canal treatment is performed when the dental pulp is severely damaged, which usually happens for the following reasons:
- Deep cavities.
- Trauma to the mouth, which can cause fractures in the teeth.
- Infections, such as reversible pulpitis and irreversible pulpitis.
The ultimate goal of root canal treatment is to preserve the tooth in the mouth, since if it is very damaged it can fall out, and eliminate the bothersome symptoms presented by the patient (pain, infection, inflammation…).
Root canal treatment is not considered a painful procedure, as it is done with local anesthesia and analgesic medication is prescribed.
How is a root canal performed step by step?
In general terms, to perform a root canal, it is necessary to access the tooth, remove the pulp, and clean the affected area. Subsequently, the tooth is sealed and reconstructed to restore its aesthetics and functionality.
Normally, root canal treatment is performed in two sessions. The main steps followed throughout the process are the following:
1- Diagnosis
Before performing a root canal, it is necessary to carry out a clinical and radiographic evaluation of the patient. With this, the dentist will assess the condition of the pulp and determine if the root canal is the most appropriate treatment.
2- Local anesthesia
In order for the patient not to feel pain during the treatment, local anesthesia is administered in the area around the affected tooth.
3- Isolation with rubber dam
The next step to perform the root canal will be to place the rubber dam. The rubber dam is a protection system that is placed around the tooth on which the work is going to be done. It is, therefore, a physical barrier that allows the tooth to be kept isolated and safe from environmental contamination (bacteria, saliva…).
4- Access to the pulp
Next, an opening is made in the crown of the tooth, specifically, in the upper part. In this way, the dentist can access the pulp tissue with his instruments.
5- Removal of pulp tissue
Once located, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed.
6- Cleaning and disinfection of the root canals
Once the pulp tissue has been removed, a series of dental files are used to clean and disinfect the root canals. In this way, bacteria and any remaining tissue will be removed. This is a fundamental step when performing a root canal because, if the cleaning and disinfection task is not carried out correctly, there will be a high risk of reinfection and the procedure will have to be repeated.
7- Filling and sealing
After the cleaning and disinfection task, the root canals are filled with an obturating material compatible with the body, which is called gutta-percha. Subsequently, the opening made to access the tooth is sealed. This, like the previous step, helps to avoid future infections.
8- Restoration
Finally, composite is applied to the opening created at the beginning of the treatment, in the upper part of the tooth. However, in many cases, it is necessary to provide additional protection to the dental piece. This happens when the injury suffered by the tooth was so severe that it has forced the removal of a large part of its structure. In these cases, it is usually necessary to place a crown, which allows restoring the shape and functionality of the dental piece, as well as protecting it from future aggressions.
9- Intraoral X-ray
Before concluding the treatment, it is necessary to take an intraoral X-ray to confirm that the canals have been correctly filled and sealed, as well as to definitively rule out any sign of infection.
10- Final check-up
A few days after the root canal, the dentist will schedule a final check-up. In this appointment, he will perform an oral examination and a new intraoral X-ray. If, after this examination, he confirms that the evolution of the treatment is adequate, it will not be necessary to go to new check-ups, except for those periodic ones that all patients must attend.
After performing the root canal, the treated tooth can last a lifetime with proper care (hygiene, diet…). For this, it is essential to follow the recommendations of the dentist and go to regular check-ups that help guarantee the longevity of the dental piece.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to perform a root canal?
The time it takes to perform a root canal can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the tooth to be treated (number of canals, anatomy…). In general, a root canal in anterior teeth (incisors or canines) usually lasts between 45-60 minutes, while the same treatment in posterior teeth (premolars and molars) may require between 60-90 minutes.
The different ranges of duration are due to the fact that there are certain teeth (incisors and canines) that have only one canal. However, premolars and molars can have two, three, or even four canals. Therefore, root canals in these dental pieces usually take a little longer.
Another important aspect when calculating the time it takes to perform a root canal is the anatomy of the tooth. And it is that, some dental pieces may have anatomically complex canals (curved, narrow…), which requires more meticulous work by the dentist.
Having said all of the above, it is worth remembering that, in many cases, root canal treatment may require two appointments, depending on the complexity of the case and the damage suffered by the tooth.
Is root canal treatment painful?
In general, root canal treatment is not considered a painful procedure. This is because the treatment is done with local anesthesia, which numbs the area to be treated, and because, after the root canal, the dentist prescribes analgesic medication to the patient.
Therefore, in the event that pain appears, it can be treated almost immediately with the use of medication. In any case, it is relatively common to experience certain discomforts, since the inside of the tooth is treated during the root canal and it is normal for the root canals to be sensitive during the first days.
Anyway, if you need to have a root canal and you are concerned about any issue regarding pain, we encourage you to consult with our specialists. The team of dentists at Abaden dental clinics will receive you in a first informative consultation without obligation.
Financing
In our clinics we offer flexible, comfortable and adapted financing solutions to your budget, to help you get the dental treatment you need.
- Financing: Up to 12 months without interest. Up to 60 months with preferential conditions.
- Payment splitting: pay monthly in comfortable installments for the treatment.
- We facilitate a discount for prompt payment paying the entire treatment at the beginning.
- Multiple payment options: direct debit, credit card, cash, transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Bizum.
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