How long does a root canal take?

01What a root canal actually is

Inside every tooth is a soft core called the pulp. It holds nerves and blood vessels. When deep decay, a crack, or an old injury lets bacteria reach the pulp, it can become inflamed or infected.

A root canal removes that damaged pulp, cleans and shapes the empty space, and seals it. The goal is to keep your natural tooth instead of pulling it.

The name sounds scary, but the steps are simple. The tooth is numbed with local anesthetic. Most people say it feels a lot like getting a large filling.

02How long each step takes

Times vary from tooth to tooth. A typical visit looks like this:

1. Numbing and setup. The dentist numbs the area and places a small rubber sheet around the tooth to keep it clean and dry. This takes a few minutes.
2. Opening the tooth. A small opening is made in the top of the tooth to reach the pulp.
3. Cleaning the canals. Thin instruments remove the pulp and clean each canal. This is the longest part of the visit.
4. Filling and sealing. The canals are filled with a rubber-like material and the opening is closed with a filling.

03Why some root canals take longer

Three things make the biggest difference in how long your treatment takes.

Which tooth it is

Front teeth usually have one canal. Premolars often have one or two. Back molars can have three or four, and their canals can be narrow or curved. More canals means more time.

How much infection there is

If the tooth is badly infected, the dentist may clean it, place medicine inside, and put in a temporary filling. You come back later to finish once things have settled down. That is one reason some root canals take two visits.

The shape of the roots

Some teeth have very curved, calcified, or extra canals that are hard to find. In complex cases, a dentist may refer you to another office that focuses on root canal care. That is a normal part of good treatment, not a bad sign.

04The crown that often comes next

A tooth that needed a root canal has often lost a lot of its structure to decay or old fillings. After treatment it can become more brittle. Back teeth in particular take heavy chewing forces, so many of them need a dental crown to cover and protect them.

A crown usually takes one or two more appointments. At the first one, the tooth is shaped and a temporary crown is placed. The permanent crown goes on at a later visit.

Your dentist will tell you whether your tooth needs a crown and how soon. Do not wait too long. A treated tooth without its final restoration can crack.

05How you may feel afterward

It is common for the tooth to feel tender for a few days, especially when you bite. Most people go back to work or school the same day or the next day. Some practical tips:

• Wait until the numbness wears off before eating so you do not bite your cheek or tongue.
• Chew on the other side until your permanent filling or crown is in place.
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers as directed on the label, if they are safe for you.
• Keep brushing and flossing normally around the tooth.

Call the office if pain gets worse instead of better after a few days, if a temporary filling falls out, or if your bite feels high. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 if you have swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck, a fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing.

06Signs you may need a root canal

Only an exam and X-ray can tell for sure, but these signs are worth a call:

• Tooth pain that lingers after hot or cold goes away
• Pain when you bite or chew
• A tooth that has turned darker
• A small bump on the gum near a tooth, sometimes with a bad taste
• Swelling or tenderness in the gum

Sometimes an infected tooth causes no pain at all and only shows up on an X-ray. That is one more reason regular checkups matter.

07Planning your visit

If you are dealing with tooth pain, call as early in the day as you can. The front desk will look for the soonest time open. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. Bring a photo ID, your insurance card if you have one, and a list of your medicines.

Dr. Wael Sadek will look at the tooth, take any X-rays he needs, and explain your options in plain language. Dr. Sadek speaks English and Arabic. Learn more about root canal treatment at our Orlando office, or call (407) 850-0133 to set up a visit.

Next step: root canal treatment at our Orlando office. We see patients from across south Orlando — see areas we serve and drive times.