Dental Root Canal Procedures

A dental root canal is needed when there is infection or damage to a tooth's pulp. A dentist or endodontist performs a procedure to drill into the tooth, remove damaged pulp, fill the tooth canal and treat any infection.

Number of Visits

• Depending on how many teeth are involved, a root canal will take one to two days. Follow-up visits are required to make sure the infection is gone.

Numbing or Sedation

• Depending on the patient, the dentist will initially numb the gum and area around the tooth. Patients with dental visit anxiety may request mild to moderate sedation treatments.

Drilling

• Once the patient is comfortable, the dentist drills a hole in the top of the tooth to expose the tooth's pulp.

Measuring

• The dentist will measure the length of the root canal using either X-ray or an electrical device to determine if all the infected tissue is removed and how much material is needed to fill the canal.

Cleaning

• Using special instruments, the dentist will remove the infected tissue and clean the canal with a dental antiseptic solution.

Filling and Crown

• The dentist then fills the canal with a flexible plastic material and either the tooth will need a permanent filling or more likely a crown.