Depending on the amount of infection in your tooth, root canal therapy may require one or two appointments. On average, a root canal takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
The root canal procedure is completed in two separate visits to ensure that the tooth is thoroughly cleaned out, sealed up, and protected from further damage.
Is a root canal painful? Since patients are given anesthesia, a root canal isn't more painful than a regular dental procedure, such as a filling or getting a wisdom tooth removed. However, a root canal is generally a bit sore or numb after the procedure, and can even cause mild discomfort for a few days.
The dentist can complete a simple root canal procedure in 30-60 minutes for one canal tooth. But you should expect to spend about 90 minutes or so in the dentist's chair for the treatment. This procedure requires significant time since your nerve needs to be removed, cleaned, and disinfected.
Root canals can take as little as 15 minutes and up to one hour.
Two to four hours after the root canal
It is recommended to wait to eat until it does. If you try to eat when things are still numb, you could bite your inner cheek or tongue.
Molars will usually take the longest because they can have up to four roots, requiring treatment for up to four canals. If you require a dental crown, more time will be necessary to place the crown.
Swelling may increase 48-72 hours before diminishing. Swelling may be worse in the morning and usually subsides as the day continues. Slight bleeding or oozing may discolor saliva up to 24 hours after surgery. This is normal.
One thing that bothers many patients is the need to keep their mouths open for an hour or so while the root canal is being done. Toward the end of the procedure, it's imperative that no saliva enters the tooth, but during the beginning and middle stages, you can take a break if you need to.
What Not To Do: Avoid eating immediately after the procedure – your mouth may still be numb, which makes you prone to biting yourself and other accidents. Avoid chewing hard and crunchy foods – you are still in recovery. Give your tooth ample time to heal before you can resume your normal lifestyle.
Antibiotics are not absolutely necessary after a root canal. After a root canal, you need very little time to recover, and post-operative care is the best way for fast healing. However, a dentist may recommend antibiotics before root canal to improve the chances of a successful outcome.
Root canal treatments can vary in cost mainly due to insurance and location of the infected tooth. In general the further back in your mouth the more difficult the RCT and the more expensive. Root canal costs can be anywhere from $300 to $900 (or more if you see an endodontist).
Eating Guidelines After a Root Canal
You can eat 30 to 45 minutes after a root canal, which is enough time to allow your temporary filling to fully harden, but it's generally recommended that patients wait to eat until after the anesthetic has worn off to prevent you from biting your cheek or tongue.
This helps your dentist see what's happening with a root canal, the roots, and any surrounding bone and tissue. Before starting the procedure, you'll get some cream and a needle in your mouth to numb the area. Then your dentist will make a small cut in your gums around the tooth.
Can I Brush My Teeth After a Root Canal? The short answer is yes! It's very rare that any dentist will instruct you to not brush your teeth after a dental procedure. Once the numbing medication has completely worn off, you are free to brush your teeth as you normally would.
Your dentist will place a rubber sheet (dam) around the tooth to ensure it's dry during treatment. The dam also prevents you swallowing or breathing in any chemicals the dentist uses.
Discomfort Should Last No More Than 3 Days
In cases where patients do feel residual pain once the anesthesia wears off, the pain should last no more than 3 days. Pain following a root canal is typically manageable with over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen(Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
Serious Or Prolonged Pain 1-2 Weeks After Treatment Is Not Normal. If you have severe, sharp pain, or pain that's still very intense up to 1-2 weeks after your treatment, this is not normal at all, and it indicates that your root canal has failed, and the infection is still present in the tooth.
After your dentist removes the pulp from inside your tooth, the empty space is filled with a rubber-like material. If too much filling material is used, however, it will cause the tooth to sit higher, and this will cause pain any time you bite down.
The maxillary molars, especially the second molars, have the most complicated root canal system in permanent dentition. There are many variations in canal number and configuration in maxillary molars. Treatment may be unsuccessful because the dentist may fail to recognize the unusual canal configuration.
Maxillary first molars (MFM) are among the most difficult teeth for endodontic treatment due to their complex root canal system [2].
Patients should plan to rest the day of their root canal procedure, and most can return to work the very next day. Our bodies need proper healing time, and this time can vary between patients. In most cases we recommend patients can return to work the day after their root canal procedure.
Foods to Avoid after Root Canal Treatment
You must avoid scorching and freezing foods and beverages that can irritate sensitive teeth. Sticky foods like caramel, gum, candy, and hard foods like nuts are best avoided. Do not consider having chewy foods like steak and crusty bread.
If you've had a root canal treatment near you, the crown will protect your tooth and seal it. This means that after having a root canal treatment, it's important for you to wait for at least four weeks before getting a crown.