Over the years, root canals have acquired quite a poor reputation in the public conversation. They are often used in comparison with other painful or unpleasant events that people would rather avoid. However, in this day and age, this is not a very fair comparison. For one thing, advancements in modern dentistry have made root canals far less painful than they were decades ago. What’s more, patients usually find that the procedure is far less unpleasant than the tooth pain they were experiencing prior.
All of this is to say that you should not fear root canals. They are an important measure that can help save an infected tooth! If you think you may need a root canal, it is unwise to delay the procedure. Putting it off may mean the loss of the infected tooth that a root canal could have otherwise saved.
You may be wondering how long the root canal process takes. What is the timeline? This will be covered later in the article, but first, one must understand what the process entails.
What Exactly Happens During a Root Canal?
Root canals are used when the pulp of a tooth becomes infected. At the center of every tooth lies the pulp, which consists of its nerve(s) as well as tissue and blood vessels. The pulp can become infected when it is accessible by harmful bacteria. The most common culprit for this is tooth decay. If untreated, a small cavity can become large enough to expose the pulp through a canal. Once harmful bacteria makes its way in, the pulp becomes infected – a very painful experience for the tooth’s owner and one that further damages the tooth.
When this occurs, your dentist will perform a root canal treatment. They will remove the infected pulp, either through the existing canal or one they create. Next, they will thoroughly clean and disinfect the tooth to prevent reinfection. Finally, they will seal up the canal or canals to keep bacteria out for good.
What is a Root Canal’s Timeline?
As with many medical procedures, precise timelines vary case by case. Simpler procedures may only take 30-60 minutes if decay and infection are minimal and the tooth only has one canal. However, more advanced cases may take longer, requiring multiple hours and, in some cases, multiple appointments. However, it is important to remember that modern anesthetics will generally prevent the procedure itself from being painful (although there may be aches and discomfort afterward). Also keep in mind that avoiding a root canal leads to more pain from the infection, possible extraction of the tooth and even more costly and uncomfortable procedures later on to replace the tooth.