
Root canals are so routine these days! Endodontists, who are the specialists in this area, often perform 25 procedures a week. While the root canal procedure itself is usually done in one session, the entire process might involve up to three appointments.

Most patients realize they need a root canal when they visit their dentist because of tooth pain or a swollen jaw. Your first appointment will be an exam to figure out if your tooth pain is indeed caused by an infection. Your dentist will give you antibiotics to tackle the infection, and then you'll schedule your follow-up for the procedure.

The second appointment involves taking an impression of your tooth for the custom-made dental crown that will be placed later. You'll get a local anesthetic to numb the area where the root canal will be performed, ensuring your comfort.

Your dentist will carefully clean out the cavity at the top of the crown where the infection started. Then, they'll gently drill down to the tooth pulp where the infection resides. Using tiny tools, they'll meticulously remove the infected pulp. The area is then filled with a special substance to prevent future infection and sealed up.

To finish things up, your dentist will need to install a crown. Some dental offices have the awesome ability to create the crown right there on-site, which means no extra appointment for you! If your tooth impression needs to go to a lab, your dentist will place a temporary crown. You'll simply come back when your permanent crown is ready to have it beautifully installed.