Has your dentist told you that you need a root canal? If this is the first time you've heard these words, you will naturally want to understand what's happening and how long it might take to recover. So, what can you expect?

When Infection Takes Hold

The root canal is one of the most remote parts of a tooth and is found where the bottom of the tooth sits within the supporting bone. This area contains the softest internal part of the tooth known as the "pulp," and if you have a significant infection, bacteria may have taken hold. When this happens, the dentist will need to remove the infection, including the surrounding pulp, before cleaning the area out and restoring the tooth. It's quite an involved process but very commonplace, and you can expect a good outcome at the end of the procedure.

Getting Ready

Before the dentist can get underway, they will need to take an x-ray so they can see exactly what's going on and determine the scale of the infection. Once they are ready, you will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area, so you do not feel any pain when work gets underway.

Don't be surprised if your dentist fits a special protective product into the area around the tooth. This is a special piece of rubber known as a "dam" that keeps everything dry so no saliva gets into the area during treatment.

The Procedure

These days, a skilled dentist is able to do a great deal of work using miniature files. Once they've made a small insertion into the top of the tooth, they can clean away all the damaged pulp and bacteria quite easily. They will then scrape the inside of the root canal so that it is totally clean before washing any debris out with a special solution.

Once they are happy, they will next put a special biocompatible material in place and ensure it is properly positioned before sealing with dental cement. Finally, they'll add a filling to close off the area and complete the root canal work.

Additional Restoration

You may need further restoration, and sometimes a crown, to protect the tooth going forward. Still, the dentist will discuss this in detail with you once the procedure is complete.

What to Expect

It shouldn't take too long for you to recover and for any inflammation to gradually subside. Just remember to protect the area and avoid chewing anything hard until your mouth has had time to recover.

For more information on a root canal, contact a professional near you.