Root Canal (Endodontic) Treatment

A root canal treatment involves removing the damaged or infected dental pulp inside your tooth. After the pulp is removed, the area is cleaned, disinfected, filled, and sealed. Sometimes, the surface of the tooth may be replaced with a filling or crown to further protect the tooth.

Your dentist may recommend root canal treatment for several reasons, for example, if you have an abscessed tooth, trauma to your tooth, tooth decay, excessive wear and tear or a broken filling or dental crown.

When you have a root canal treatment, the objective is for your dentist to remove any damaged or infected dental pulp inside your tooth. Once the pulp is removed, the space is cleaned, disinfected, filled and sealed. Sometimes, the surface of your tooth may also be replaced with a filling or crown to protect the tooth further.

It is generally advisable to wait 30 to 40 minutes after your root canal treatment before drinking. This is so you have time for the anaesthesia to wear off and the temporary filling to harden.

Typically, it takes 3 to 5 days after root canal treatment for all pain to subside.

Although there are surgical aspects to root canal surgery, is not considered major surgery. A root canal treatment is a common dental procedure that is performed in the dental chair under anaesthesia. Root canal treatment aims to clean and save your natural tooth, relieving pain caused by an infected or damaged pulp.

Most root canal appointments last between 30 to 60 minutes. However, in some cases, the appointment may take 90 minutes or more. A second appointment is sometimes required, particularly if the dentist recommends a permanent filling or crown over the tooth.

Root canal treatment is no more painful than any other regular dental procedure, as you will be given plenty of anaesthesia. However, you may have some soreness after the procedure, which will subside over the next few days.