Who performs root canal treatment?
All dentists, including your general dentist, received some training in root canal treatment while in dental school. Often general dentists refer patients needing root canal treatment to a specialist.
How is a Root Canal “Specialist" different from a general dentist?
After finishing their basic dental degree (B.D.S), endodontists (root canal specialists) spend three more years studying endodontic procedures (root canal treatment) in greater detail. At the end of three years, they are awarded a masters degree (M.D.S) which enables them to teach and practice endodontics. Because they are specially trained to handle complex endodontic procedures, many dentists refer their root canal cases to a specialist endodontist
What is Microscopic Root Canal Treatment?
This is root canal treatment that is done through a microscope and specialized microscopic instruments. It has numerous advantages.
Click here to know more about microscopic endodontics
Is root canal treatment very painful?
No. Root canal treatment doesn't cause pain, it relieves it. The perception of root canal treatment being painful began decades ago. But with the latest technologies, anesthetics and microscopes, root canal treatment today is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed.
How many sittings does it take to complete a root canal?
Most root canals can be treated in a single sitting in our clinic. The procedure normally takes about 90 minutes. If a root canal is badly infected, or presents procedural difficulties, then it may require a second sitting.
Will it pain after the root canal procedure is done?
You will experience mild discomfort in the tooth for a few days and will not be able to use that tooth for chewing. The pain felt is usually very mild and is easily controlled by the medication prescribed for you.
Is there any other alternative to root canal treatment?
Once a tooth has reached a stage where root canal treatment is necessary, a simple filling will not help. The only alternative is extraction (removal) of the tooth.
Isn't extraction (removal of the tooth) a better option?
No. Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is the very best option. Once a tooth is removed, it has to be replaced. In order to give a fixed replacement, one has to either go in for a bridge or an implant. Placement of a bridge or an implant will require significantly more time in treatment and may result in further procedures to adjacent teeth and supporting tissues.
Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause you to avoid certain foods. Keeping your own teeth is important so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet.
Is root canal treatment very expensive?
Root canal treatment is much more economical than the alternative of placing a bridge or an implant.
What is the success rate of root canal treatment?
Root canal treatment has a success rate of about 96% which is excellent for any medical procedure today.
Can you give a guarantee that the root canal treatment will succeed?
It is impossible to offer a 100% guarantee for a procedure done on the human body. We do not offer any guarantee. However, with careful case selection, the potential for failure is extremely low.
What do you do if the root canal treatment fails?
If the root canal fails, we try and find out why the failure has occurred and try to correct it if possible. If repeated re-treatment too doesn't succeed, we may have to extract the tooth and replace it with an implant.
Will I be able to drive myself home after the treatment?
Yes, you will be able to drive back home. Root canal treatment will not cause any drowsiness or loss of coordination.
