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.
Number of Visits
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
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.
Drilling
Once the patient is comfortable, the dentist drills a hole in the top of the tooth to expose the tooth's pulp.
Measuring
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
Using special instruments, the dentist will remove the infected tissue and clean the canal with a dental antiseptic solution.
Filling and Crown
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.
Tags: dentist will, root canal, canal with, infected tissue, tooth pulp, with dental