What Happens During Endodontic Treatment? or What is a Root Canal?
A local anesthetic will be given. A sheet of latex called the "rubber dam" (we've got nonlatex ones too) will be placed around the tooth to isolate it, hence keeping it clean and dry during treatment. The treatment consists of three or four basic steps, but the number of visits will depend on your particular case. Some treatments take 2 visits but many are just a single visit. Occasionally 3 appointments are needed.
In any case, it depends on the degree of infection/inflammation and degree of treatment difficulty. To us, it's more important to do the very best we can than to meet a specific time criteria.
Let's look at the basic steps for nonsurgical endodontic therapy:
Step 1: An opening is made in the surface of the tooth.
Step 2: The pulp is removed from the pulp chamber and root canals. Tiny instruments called files are used to clean the canals and shape them to a form that will ensure they will be well sealed.
Step 3: The root canals are filled and sealed with a material that prevents bacteria from re-entering. Radiographs (x-rays) are taken prior and post-treatment.
step 4: The opening in the tooth will be filled with either a temporary or permanent filling during your treatment visit, depending on your restoration plan. It is important to return promptly to your general dentist if a temporary is placed. A temporary filling can loosen and/or leak which can compromise the root canal treatment, causing it to fail and therefore needing re-treatment.