A root canal is the process of removing the inflamed or infected pulp tissue within the canal spaces of a root, disinfecting the canals, and placing a sterile, biocompatible filling material in the space.
Endodontists are dentists who have completed at least two years of additional training in root canal treatment. Because our practice is limited to endodontics, we perform root canal therapy every day. As root canal specialists, we are able to effectively treat and better diagnose difficult cases with the use of advanced technology.
No. Root canal therapy is performed inside the tooth. The only way to tell if a tooth has had root canal therapy is with radiographic verification (dental X-ray).
No. Dental procedures are unlike most medical procedures, which often require some time to recover. Even within the dental field, there are other procedures that are far more invasive than root canal treatment.
Typically, no time off is required. The procedure is usually performed in the midst of your daily schedule.
Typically not. See answer above.
You can go to the gym, run, jog, or perform any routine you typically do.
The level of post-treatment discomfort varies among patients. Many patients report none, while others have soreness, which is manageable with over the counter pain medicine.
The effects of the local anesthetic can persist for up to three hours (or more depending on the type of local anesthetic used). However, for our patients who do not like the sensation of prolonged numbness, we provide (as a courtesy) Oraverse, an FDA approved local anesthetic reversal agent. It shortens the length of time you are numb.
Root canal therapy is most often performed using local anesthesia, while you are fully awake and functional, just like any other dental procedure. We do, however, offer different levels of sedation (including general anesthesia) for those who have a high level of dental anxiety.
The procedure typically takes 1.5-2 hours, depending on the complexity of the case. After your consultation, a more accurate time can be estimated. We devote a lot of uninterrupted time to care for you and your tooth.
Most of the time, we aim to complete the procedure in one visit. However, certain cases such as an abscessed tooth, preclude us from completing the case in one sitting.
No, the access hole in your tooth will have a temporary restoration.
We do not base our fees on "chairtime", rather on the procedure. So, whether the treatment takes one or two visits to complete, the fee remains the same.
The need for a check-up visit is determined on a case by case basis.