A root canal is the pulp inside the tooth and contains pulp, nerves, and blood vessels. It connects your tooth to your bone and gums.
In case the root canal gets infected, your dentist will have to treat it; else, it can spread infection, and you will experience pain. An alternate to a root canal is an extraction of the tooth. It can cause pain and will surely be expensive, and you will lose your natural teeth.
How Can Your Tooth Get Infected?
Some reasons that can cause root canal infections are:
- The spread of cavities under the enamel layer.
- A chip or crack that can expose your tooth’s inner layer and allows bacteria to enter inside.
- Dental trauma.
- Frequent dental treatments.
When Do You Need A Root Canal?
Some symptoms that will tell that you need a root canal:
- Constant pain in the teeth
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Discoloration of the teeth
- Swollen gums
- Pain while chewing
- Visible chips and cracks on the teeth
Another way to know you require a root canal is when your dentist informs you about it. But in most cases, patients tend to ignore it and pay for the consequences later.
How Long Does A Root Canal Take?
The time required for a root canal depends on two factors: how many roots your tooth has and how bad the infection is. In typical, an average root canal procedure takes one or two visits, and every visit could be about 30 to 90 minutes.
Here is the average time it takes for each tooth:
- Molars require about 90 minutes or more because they are located at the back of your mouth, and each has four roots.
- Premolars need about 60 minutes because they are in between your molars and anterior teeth and have one or two roots.
- Canines and incisors require about 45 to 60 minutes because they only have one root.
But it will require more time if your tooth has a crown because to fix the crown back in place, the dentist needs to ensure your tooth has healed and does not have any infection.
Is Root Canal A Painful Procedure?
A root canal is deemed as a major dental procedure; there are chances you might experience a little bit of discomfort. But your doctor will inject you with general anesthesia, which will numb your tooth and surrounding. Once you get home, you will feel your anesthesia’s effect wearing off; hence, you will have to request your dentist to prescribe you a pain killer to relieve the pain.
If you are experiencing pain and suspecting that it could lead to a root canal, do not worry. Our expert dentists at Smile Time Dental will be able to take care of you. And if you’re worried about learning how long a root canal takes, call us today at 281 245-0711