What is Endodontics?
Endodontics is the dental field that focuses on studying and treating the dental pulp. It also deals with the tissues around the roots of teeth. An endodontist is a dentist who specializes in diagnosing tooth pain and performing root canal treatment and other procedures relating to the interior of the tooth.
Endodontists complete an additional 2-3 years of specialized training beyond dental school, focusing exclusively on root canal treatment and other endodontic procedures. They use advanced technology and techniques to save teeth that might otherwise need to be extracted.
What is a root canal treatment and how does it work?
A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a badly decayed or infected tooth. The procedure involves removing the damaged or infected pulp (nerve tissue) from inside the tooth, cleaning and disinfecting the root canals, then filling and sealing the space.
The typical root canal procedure includes:
- Local anesthesia to numb the area
- Creating an access hole in the crown of the tooth
- Removing the pulp, bacteria, and decayed nerve tissue
- Shaping and cleaning the root canals
- Filling the canals with a biocompatible material
- Sealing the access hole with a temporary or permanent filling
Does a root canal hurt?
Contrary to popular belief, modern root canal treatment is typically no more painful than having a large filling. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during treatment.
Most patients experience mild discomfort for a few days after the procedure, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications. The pain you felt before treatment should be significantly reduced or eliminated after the root canal.
How long does a root canal take to complete?
Most root canal treatments can be completed in one to three appointments, depending on the complexity of the case. Simple cases may take 60-90 minutes, while more complex treatments might require multiple visits of similar duration.
Factors affecting treatment time include:
- Number of roots and canals in the tooth
- Severity of infection or inflammation
- Whether it’s a retreatment case
- Patient’s individual anatomy