If you’ve ever been told you need a root canal treatment – or if a friend or family member is expecting one – you probably have questions about the process: What is it like? Will it be painful? How long will it take? Root canal treatment is actually a very common, safe, and straightforward procedure. In fact, more than 15 million root canals are performed in the US each year.1
Ready to learn more? In this article, we’ll explain the step-by-step process for a typical root canal procedure.
Before treatment begins
Before heading to your appointment for root canal treatment, as with any visit to your dentist or endodontist, make sure you have all of your insurance information on hand. When you arrive, expect your dentist or endodontist to:
During root canal treatment
The root canal treatment itself will typically take about 90 minutes. Teeth with multiple canals or with an infection present may take more than one appointment.3 Here’s what to expect during a root canal:
After root canal treatment
When your root canal procedure is completed, you’ll need to pay extra attention to the treated tooth for a few days. Post-treatment, consider the following:
It used to be common for patients to dread receiving a root canal treatment. Nowadays, however, root canal treatment is a simple, straightforward tooth-saving procedure – and, in most cases, it is minimally uncomfortable or painful. You’ll likely walk away from your appointment feeling much better than you did before the treatment. It may be worth it to save a tooth that can remain healthy for a lifetime.
Think you may need a root canal procedure? Find a dentist and schedule an appointment today.
Additional resources:
Sources
1 “Quick Endodontic Facts.” American Association of Endodontists, www.aae.org/specialty/about-aae/news-room/endodontic-facts/
2, 3, 6 “Root Canal Explained.” American Association of Endodontists, www.aae.org/patients/root-canal-treatment/what-is-a-root-canal/root-canal-explained/
7 “Root Canals: FAQs About Treatment That Can Save Your Tooth.” Mouth Healthy TM, www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/r/root-canals
5, 9 “Slide Show: Root Canal Treatment.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 Jan. 2015, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tooth-abscess/multimedia/root-canal/sls-20076717
4, 8 “Root Canal Treatment.” The University of Iowa | College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, University of Iowa, www.dentistry.uiowa.edu/patient-care-rootcanal