Root Canal Treatment: What Happens During This Type of Procedure?

When patients hear the term “root canal treatment,” many immediately think of pain and discomfort. In reality, it is a very modern dental procedure. Performed under local anesthesia, the treatment today is quick, efficient, and almost painless for our patients. During the root canal procedure, special care is taken to protect the nerves and remove the infection. The goal is to save the inflamed tooth and thus avoid tooth extraction.

What is a root canal treatment?

A root canal treatment is a tooth-preserving (conservative) procedure that becomes necessary when the inner part of the tooth, the dental pulp, is inflamed or dead. The inflammation can result from deep decay, trauma, or a previous dental treatment. If the inflammation is not treated promptly, it can lead to severe pain, swelling, and, in the worst case, bone infection and/or tooth loss.The goal of a root canal treatment is to remove the infected tissue from the root canal, then sterilize and seal the area, allowing the tooth to be preserved for many years - often for the rest of the patient’s life. The procedure can extend over several weeks, and in some cases months, so it is not a quick treatment. But one thing is certain: it can provide a long-lasting positive result.

When is a root canal treatment necessary?

The most common symptoms indicating the need for a root canal treatment are severe, throbbing tooth pain, especially at night. Other signs can include sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when biting, swelling, bleeding from the gums around the tooth, and a discolored, gray tooth.

It is also not uncommon for an abscess or a fistula to develop in the gum. If you experience these symptoms, you should contact a dentist as soon as possible, because the earlier the treatment begins, the greater the chances of saving the tooth.

The Root Canal Treatment Process

Our reliable specialists perform root canal treatment thoroughly and painlessly. The process consists of several steps, usually completed in one or two visits depending on the condition of the tooth.

The first step is to make an accurate diagnosis. The dentist takes an X-ray of the tooth, which allows them to assess the extent of the infection as well as the number and structure of the root canals.

The treatment is performed under local anesthesia, so the patient feels no pain. Many patients are surprised at how calm and easy the procedure is, and the feared discomfort quickly becomes a distant memory. The dentist drills a small hole in the tooth’s crown to access the dental pulp. The dead or infected tissue is then removed from the root canal.

Next, a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the roots is performed. The root canals must be meticulously cleaned and disinfected with antibacterial solutions, which is one of the most important steps in a successful root canal treatment. Without a sterile root canal, the infection can easily return, leading to discomfort and potentially tooth loss. The final step is filling the root canal, which prevents bacteria from entering the interior of the tooth.

What happens afterward?

In some cases, a crown may be needed, but not in every situation. If the tooth is in reasonably good condition, it is not necessary. The most important thing is that the treated tooth becomes stable again and able to withstand biting forces.

The total duration of the process depends on several factors, including the number of root canals in the tooth and the extent of the infection. A simple treatment can be completed in a single visit, while in other cases it may require 3–4 sessions.