Root Canal Appointment Guide
Root canal treatment is a routine dental procedure, designed to save your natural tooth while cleaning out damaged or diseased tissue. A root canal appointment will usually take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes and may require two or more visits in some extreme circumstances.
Examples of complex cases include infected teeth with a number of root canals, or infected teeth with root canals that are difficult to detect, access or navigate through.
In this blog, we share our complete guide to root canal appointments, discussing everything from who might require treatment, to the consultation process and aftercare tips.
Who Needs a Root Canal?
Every tooth has living tissue inside the root that connects it to your bone and gums – this is known as pulp. The pulp is filled with blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues.
Root canal treatment is required when the pulp becomes damaged by a bacterial infection.
The symptoms of pulp infection include:
- Pain when eating or drinking hot or cold food and drink
- Pain when biting or chewing
- A loose tooth
As the infection progresses and the pulp dies, these symptoms will likely disappear and your tooth will appear healed. However, this actually means the infection has spread through the root canal system.
You will eventually experience additional symptoms, such as:
- Return of pain when biting or chewing
- A swollen gum near the affected tooth
- Pus oozing from the tooth
- A swollen cheek or jaw
- The tooth darkening.
If you develop toothache for an extended period, it’s important to contact your dentist as soon as possible.
How to Prepare For a Root Canal Appointment
Rest assured, root canal treatment does not require extensive preparation.
Depending on the type of sedation you’re having, you may be advised to avoid eating before your consultation. You might also need someone to drive you home afterwards, but most treatments are incredibly straightforward.
As previously mentioned, there’s not much you need to do to prepare for a root canal. However, there are some simple steps you can follow to ensure your procedure runs smoothly. These include:
1. Eat
As it’s necessary to numb the treatment area before a root canal procedure, eating after treatment can be tricky.
We recommend eating before your appointment so you can relax and avoid putting any pressure on the treatment area after your root canal.
2. Take Pain Relief
While root canal treatment is designed to cause minimal discomfort, you may still experience a degree of soreness. Taking pain relief before the procedure can help to alleviate any discomfort you may experience during or immediately after treatment.
If you’re unsure about the right pain reliever to take, please consult your dentist before your appointment.
3. Have a Good Night’s Sleep
Our bodies function at their best when they are well-rested. To support your body’s natural healing process, we recommend getting a good night’s sleep both the night before and after your root canal appointment.
4. Stock Up On Soft Foods
While your mouth heals, it’s important to only consume soft foods that are easy to chew. Be sure to stock up on these foods before your appointment so the rest of your day can be spent focusing on rest and relaxation.
5. Ask Questions
The best way you can prepare for root canal treatment is by asking questions.
If you are feeling apprehensive about an upcoming procedure or simply want to find out more about the treatment process, please get in touch with your dentist. They will be more than happy to provide further information to help to ease your concerns.
What Affects How Long a Root Canal Appointment Takes?
In general, root canal treatment takes between 30-60 minutes. However, there are a number of factors that can affect the length of your appointment, including the type of tooth undergoing the procedure.
- Molar Root Canal – The four-cusped teeth located at the back of the mouth, the molars can possess up to four canals. This makes treatment slightly more time-consuming, often taking around 90 minutes or more.
- Premolar Root Canal – Located behind anterior teeth but before the molars, premolars possess either one or two roots. This procedure should take around 60 minutes, however, this may differ depending on your unique circumstances.
- Canine and Incisor Root Canal – The canines and incisors are the teeth in the front of the mouth. They usually possess one root and are therefore faster to treat. This procedure will usually take between 45 minutes to an hour.
In more complex cases, treatment may require two or more visits to complete.
Root Canal Appointment Guide | Aftercare Tips
The Day Of Treatment
Immediately after treatment, your mouth will still feel numb, so it’s important not to eat or drink anything until you regain feeling. Once the anaesthesia wears off, you can start to eat again, avoiding foods that may cause irritation.
Oral Hygiene
While taking care of your teeth is always important, preventing infection after root canal treatment is essential.
Make sure to brush and floss the affected area gently and increase your use of mouthwash.
Pain Management
It is normal to experience some discomfort for several days after the procedure, particularly when eating.
Your dentist may have prescribed pain relievers and antibiotics to reduce pain and prevent infection. Taking these medications as directed is crucial to ensure your mouth heals properly.
Reduce Swelling
To reduce any swelling, apply a cold compress to the affected area for 10-15 minutes, several times a day.
Avoid Alcohol and Smoking
Consuming alcohol and smoking cigarettes can significantly delay the healing process and interfere with your recovery. Avoiding these while your mouth heals is incredibly important.
Choose Lux Dental
At Lux Dental, we’re proud to deliver pain-free routine root canal treatment. If you think you might require this procedure, we strongly urge you to book a consultation with one of our experienced team members.
During your first root canal appointment, your dentist will inform you whether or not the treatment is necessary, answering your questions and talking you through the appropriate next steps.
To book a consultation, please get in touch. Give us a call on 01509 621212 and speak to one of our friendly, compassionate team members today.