Root canal procedure

[Lilian M]

Hi

I have a tooth that has been aching all weekend and driving me mad with pain. I have tried taking antibiotics that my GP gave me (amoxilin) and numerous painkillers but the pain is still very severe.

I am guessing from the severity of the pain that I am getting that I probably need root canal treatment because I don't wish to have root canal treatment. I intend to book a visit with my dentist as soon as they open on monday. I just hope that they can see me on Monday, because this pain is just unbearable.

Could you tell me a little about the root canal procedure. How many visits does root canal need and will I be able to feel the root canal drilling? Should I avoid doing anything after root canal treatment?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Hi,

Thank you for your question.

First thing is that no root canal treatments are not automatically associated with pain and they are painless.

Te procedure of the root canal can be done in one visit or two visits depending on the situation with the tooth. If the nerve is completely dead then usually treatment in done over 2 visits.

How treatment is done is that first one has to find the canals and then mechanically and chemically the canals are debrided and cleaned and sterilized. Once this is achieved they are filled and after the root canal treatment usually a core and a crown is needed to complete the treatment on that tooth