How Many Visits Will a Root Canal Take? Single or Multiple Visit Root Canals

How Many Visits Will a Root Canal Take? Single or Multiple Visit Root Canals

Apr 01, 2023

Losing natural teeth can be traumatic for anyone, especially if you prioritize your smile’s aesthetic. If the idea of premature tooth loss does not sit well with you, try different dental treatments that can help save your natural teeth. An incredible solution would be a root canal procedure.

What is a root canal procedure?

It is a dental treatment in endodontic dentistry that entails treating dental pain by eliminating bacteria and damaged tissues inside a tooth. It is the only treatment that addresses damage from the inside out. Root canals are solutions to diseased and damaged teeth that would otherwise require tooth extraction. Some of the symptoms that you need a root canal procedure are:

  1. Heightened tooth sensitivity
  2. Dental pain and discomfort when you chew
  3. A deep tooth fracture
  4. Dental decay

What Does a Root Canal Treatment Entail?

A root canal treatment entails different steps. When you visit our dentist at Kensington Dental Clinic, the initial step is a comprehensive dental exam. It allows the dentist to evaluate the severity of your oral problem before proceeding with the endodontic procedure. The steps involved in root canal therapy in Edmonton are:

  1. Numbing – your dentist will numb your mouth with local anesthesia so you don’t experience any pain or discomfort during your treatment. Your dentist may also involve sedation dentistry to calm and relax your body. It will work well especially if you suffer from dental anxiety.
  2. Drilling – the dentist will create a hole in your tooth that will allow access to the inner layers.
  3. Cleaning – your dentist will use special tools to clean out the canal of your tooth. The main area of concern is the pulp chamber, which houses nerve endings, blood vessels, connective tissues, and other soft tissues. The goal is to remove any damaged soft tissues and bacteria that may be damaging the tooth.
  4. Filling – once the truth is clean, the dentist will begin reshaping the canal and fill it with a special material called gutta-percha. It will help retain the compactness of the tooth.
  5. Sealing – the final stage of the procedure entails employing a dental filling to seal the truth, preventing the re-entry of bacteria.

​Why Do Root Canals Take 2 Visits?

Root canal treatments near you should typically take one day to complete. However, in some cases, the dentist may require to place a dental crown, which may require a separate dental visit. The role of a dental crown after a root canal procedure is to reinforce the tooth’s strength and maintain structure. After placing a dental crown, your tooth will function much better than without it. Besides, sometimes the dental filling over the treated tooth can be too large that it compromises the natural tooth structure.

However, if you do not require a dental crown over your treated tooth, a second visit is not necessary. Liaise with your dentist to figure out how many dental visits you will need to complete your root canal treatment.

​Is The Second Visit for A Root Canal Painful?

When preparing for your second dental visit, your dentists in Edmonton, AB, will take impressions of your tooth. The impressions help create a mold that takes after your tooth, providing the perfect measurements for creating a dental crown that fits perfectly.

The second visit after your root canal procedure should not be painful. Then the dentist will not need to prepare your tooth or make many adjustments, as it should have happened during the first visit. However, you should anticipate discomfort since the tooth is still sensitive from the previous dental work.

Is The Endodontic Procedure Worth It?

Given the invasiveness and long timeline of the root canal procedure, it is easy to question whether or not it is a worthwhile treatment. Ideally, dentists will only recommend root canal procedures for damaged and diseased teeth that are salvageable.

The primary goal of a root canal procedure is to treat dental pain caused by bacterial infection so that you do not require active extraction. Therefore, if you want to lengthen the life of your natural tooth despite damage or infection, a root canal procedure may be your best shot. Besides, a mature natural tooth can survive without the inner soft tissues in the pulp cavity as long as it remains rooted in the jawbone.

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