Root Canal
Treatment

If a tooth is damaged, bacteria can enter the tooth. This causes irritation, pain, and swelling. If the pulp inside the tooth becomes infected, this can spread to the pulp inside the root canal.

The goal of root canal treatment is to prevent tooth extraction by removing the damaged pulp and treating the infection.

You may need root canal treatment for a number of reasons, including:

• Severe tooth decay
• Re-treatment of a tooth
• Cracked tooth
• Broken crown
• Cracked or fallen out fillings
• Gum disease
• Trauma, such as a blow to the mouth.

If the infection is left untreated, it can spread further and cause an abscess, which is a build-up of pus. It can be painful, tender and cause swelling around the tooth and jaw.

Sometimes a tooth may look darker than other teeth – this means that the nerve inside the tooth has died or is dying off.

A root canal procedure can be done in 1 or 2 visits. For retreatments (in which a tooth has already received endodontic treatment), 3 visits may be requested. Each visit should take 90 minutes or less.

How long does a root canal take? A root canal procedure takes 30-90 minutes per visit. For simple cases of teeth with one root, each visit will probably 60 minutes or less. Complex cases take closer to 90 minutes per visit.

Why do root canals take 2 visits? Depending on the provider’s preference, root canal treatment may be done in 2 or more visits for more thorough cleaning. The number of visits for root canal therapy has no significant impact on pain levels or treatment success rates.

Should your root canal be done by your dentist or a specialist? Specialists in root canal therapy are called endodontists. An endodontist should perform your root canal procedure if you have complex canals or if your general dentist refers out root canal cases. However, all dentists are trained to perform root canals during dental school.

Saving the natural tooth is usually the best option, so root canal treatment is generally the treatment of choice. The only alternative to having a root canal is a tooth extraction and having it replaced with an implant, bridge, or denture. These procedures are more expensive than a root canal and often require more time and additional procedures to treat the surrounding teeth and tissues. If a tooth is extracted and not replaced with some type of restoration, chewing function will be impaired and teeth may shift.

Preventing the need for root canal therapy involves reducing your risk of untreated tooth decay and trauma to your teeth.

To reduce your risk of tooth decay:

• Practice good oral hygiene (flossing, brushing, oil pulling, etc.)
• Use a remineralizing toothpaste
• Eat foods that prevent cavities
• Limit your intake of sugary, acidic, and highly processed foods
• Avoid antibacterial oral care products like regular mouthwash, which disrupt your oral microbiome
• Prevent dry mouth by mouth taping and practicing nose breathing
• See your dentist for a cleaning and exam every 6 months

To prevent tooth decay from progressing to the point of a root canal:

• Never ignore a toothache — always discuss new tooth pain with your dentist
• Don’t put off dental work for tooth decay unless you’re actively reversing cavities
• Consider regenerative endodontics, a stem cell endodontic therapy, if you have existing pulpitis

To reduce your risk of trauma to teeth:

• Always wear a mouthguard when playing sports or during athletic activity
• Use your teeth only for eating — no opening packages, chewing on pencils, etc.
• Be cautious in situations where falling is likely
• Practice safe driving — always wear a seatbelt