Root canal treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal, prevent reinfection of the tooth and save the natural tooth. When one undergoes a root canal, the inflamed or infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned and disinfected, then filled and sealed.
A root canal is performed when the soft inner part of a tooth, known as the pulp, is injured or becomes inflamed or infected.
Common causes of damage to the pulp include:
A chip or crack in the tooth.
An injury to the tooth (you might injure a tooth if you get hit in the mouth; the pulp can still be damaged even if the injury doesn’t crack the tooth).
Multiple dental procedures on the same tooth.
Deep decay due to an untreated cavity.
In most cases, antibiotics are not required after endodontic therapy. You will be given a prescription for antibiotics if we feel it will be necessary. Some medical conditions require a special antibiotic prophylaxis regimen taken before the appointment to help prevent damage to certain structures.
The average root canal treatment is 30 to 60 minutes long. More complex cases may take around 90 minutes. A root canal typically requires one or two appointments to complete.