What Happens During a Root Canal Procedure Step-By-Step?
If your dentist diagnosed you with pulp damage from decay, cracks, or trauma, you may need a root canal treatment in Bloomingdale, IL, to save your tooth and prevent infection. This endodontic procedure removes inflamed or infected pulp tissue in the inner root canals and seals the space.
What exactly happens once you’re in the dental chair? Understanding the planned steps can make you feel more at ease.
Here’s an overview of what to expect during a standard root canal appointment from start to finish:
Numbing the Tooth Before Accessing the Pulp
The first step in every root canal is numbing the area to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.
Your dentist will isolate the problematic tooth with a rubber dam. Then, they’ll give local anesthetic shots to numb the tooth, surrounding gum tissues, and jawbone. You may feel some slight pinch and pressure during the numbing injections. But once the medication takes effect in a few minutes, the area will feel tingly and numb.
Drilling an Opening to the Pulp Chamber
After confirming your tooth is fully numbed, your Bloomingdale dentist will use a small dental drill to create an access opening through the tooth’s chewing surface. They’ll gently remove tooth decay or old fillings obstructing the pulp chamber.
Then, they’ll open and drain the pulp chamber to access all root canal entrances so infected pulp tissue can be fully removed in the next phase. You may feel some vibration and hear the drill. But no sharp pain.
Cleaning and Shaping Inside the Tooth Roots
Meticulous cleaning and shaping of the narrow root canal spaces follow to remove all inflamed or dying pulp tissue, nerves, and related debris. This also disinfects inside the roots and surrounding dentin to prevent further infection.
Your dentist will use tiny manual hand tools and fine rotary files inserted into each root. They’ll work slowly and carefully, using irrigation solutions to help flush and clean each inner root system completely. This root-cleaning phase is the most time-consuming. Some pressure may be felt, but you should have little discomfort due to the thorough numbing.
Possible Multi-Appointment Root Canal Procedures
For teeth with more complex canal anatomies or pre-existing infections requiring extra disinfection methods, treatment may occur over 2 or more 30-60-minute visits. A temporary filling and medicines will be applied to your tooth to help it recover faster.
About 90% of front teeth can be treated start-to-finish in one session if no complications arise. Back molars often demand a multi-visit approach. Your dentist will advise the best timeline for your unique situation.
Putting on a Temporary Crown
After the root canal therapy concludes, your dentist in 60108 places a temporary filling and crown over the access hole they created. This protective layer seals the inner treatment work and safeguards the tooth in the short term until a custom permanent restoration is made.
It lets you eat and function normally while the post-op healing occurs inside the tooth. If possible, Expect a sturdy, natural-looking temporary crown the same day. Your permanent replacement crown appointment follows later on.
Medicating and Dressing the Tooth Afterward
Before you leave, your dentist may slide some antibacterial medication down into the last disinfected root canal pathways for added prevention against residual or emerging infection. They may also insert a tiny post down the canals to help seal the internal tooth anatomy.
Finally, they’ll replace the rubber dam and ensure your tooth and gums are smooth and comfortable before sending you home with clear post-op care instructions.
Typical Appointment Length From Start to Finish
Once numb and set up, the working root canal treatment phase typically lasts 30-90 minutes, depending on whether you need a single or multi-visit procedure. Factors like tooth/root intricacy, existing infections, and restorative needs impact timetables the most.
Your custom Bloomingdale area dentist near me will walk you through what to expect during your consultation visit.
Understanding everything involved in root canal therapy, from numbing to Canal cleaning and shaping to final restoration, makes the experience much less intimidating. Today’s advanced techniques make the hour or so of chair time fly by with little to no discomfort.
Contact the dental clinic near me at Distinctive Dental Care if you have any other root canal questions. We’re here to ensure your treatment and recovery go as smoothly!