Root canals are routine procedures that relieve pain and can save your natural tooth from extraction. Generally, a root canal takes between 30 and 60 minutes. A large tooth with multiple roots could take up to 90 minutes.
Why Root Canals Are Necessary
Root canals are indicated when the pulp inside the crown and roots of the tooth becomes infected or inflamed. Decay, trauma, breaks, or chips in teeth can make root canals necessary. Teeth that need root canals often cause pain, though sometimes they show no outward symptoms.
How Do I Know Whether I Need a Root Canal?
Here are the symptoms you may experience:
- Persistent tooth pain, which may refer to other areas of the mouth
- Extreme discomfort when biting or chewing on one tooth
- Sharp sensitivity to heat and cold
- Gum swelling
- Pus on the gum line
- Facial swelling
The Root Canal Procedure
Today, root canals are straightforward and well-tolerated procedures. Most patients say that a root canal is no more uncomfortable than getting a standard filling, though a root canal takes longer.
The first step in performing a root canal is drilling down to the pulp. The dentist will open the tooth, remove the infected pulp from the crown, and use specialized instruments like files to clean and sanitize the root canals. Cleaning and reshaping the interior root canals prevents reinfection.
The dentist may need to treat the tooth infection before moving forward. In this case, they place the antibiotic inside the tooth, temporarily close it, and wait a few days for the infection to clear.
The dentist places a temporary crown or filling to protect the tooth. After the infection has cleared, the dentist refills the tooth with a permanent plastic material. The material seals out particles of food, saliva, and contaminants and prevents reinfection.
After Your Root Canal
On your second visit, you will return to receive a permanent crown on your root canal. The permanent crown matches your natural tooth and enables the tooth to function without issues.
Why Choose Dentistry of Mendham?
Not all family dentists offer root canals. We offer the convenience and familiarity of staying with your family dentist for this procedure. Dr. Naren Rajan, DMD, has published papers in medical and industry journals. He is an expert at performing root canals and other complex procedures.
Call Dentistry of Mendham
Putting off a root canal may cause complications, lead to more severe symptoms of decay and infection, and potential tooth loss. If you observe any symptoms pointing to the need for a root canal, call us as soon as possible. The sooner we see you, the sooner we can relieve your pain and restore your chewing ability.
Call our Mendham office at 973-543-5700 for a prompt root canal appointment. We would be glad to help you feel better and restore your tooth to its full function.