What are the 4 stages of root canal treatment, and how long may it take to recover?

Root canal Treatment, or RCT, treats discomfort or severe tooth pain. It is usually opted for when the overall condition of your tooth is great, but on the inside, it has infected the pulp. As a result, there could be tenderness, gum swelling, infections, sensitivity, and severe pain that goes up your head.

As per the suggestion of your dentists, this treatment can be done in one session, or it may take multiple sessions. That's why it has been divided into various stages.

Different Stages of Root Canal Treatment

Blood vessels, nerves, and pulp keep the teeth alive inside our teeth. However, sometimes that can get infected, which results in pain. RCT is used for treating such situations as it prevents future infections, and the whole process is divided into 4 main stages, which are as follows: 

Stage 1: Diagnosis

The first stage includes diagnosis of the suspected tooth. The doctor may begin with an x-ray of your tooth from one or two different angles to check the extent of the case because this infection can cause the tooth to decay internally. The doctor may also test sensitivity to prevent pain and discomfort using different stimuli. 

Once the professional identifies that RCT is essential for your treatment through digital imaging, they will begin with local anesthesia with a needle that will numb the tooth and the gum tissues in the surroundings. The time that area takes to numb may vary depending on the condition.

During that time, the dentist will prepare your mouth with a dental dam (rubber sheet); the first stage will be completed after installation. 

Stage2: Removal of infected pulp 

The dentist will begin stage 2 of RCT by drilling a hole in your tooth. The size of this hole may vary depending on the tooth, but dentists drill a hole wide enough to access the pulp and nerves inside the tooth for their removal. Once the whole has been drilled, the dentist will use special surgical tools to clean out all the root canals and the pulp chamber.                                 

After a thorough cleaning, antibiotics and antiseptics will be applied to ensure no germs remain inside the tooth and you don't get the infection in the future, as this infection can damage gums. Next, the dentist will use files according to the tooth and diameter of the root till its tip. It will remove all the infected root canals. This stage ends with the dentist using sodium hypochlorite to remove any bacteria. 

Cleaning the root canals may be a little painful, but pulp removal will be painless and won't cause any issues in the future.                                  

Stage 3: Filling root filler 

After ensuring the pulp chamber is dry and clean, the dentist will use gutta-percha (a rubber-like material) to fill the canals. This material is first placed inside the canals and then heated and compressed so that it properly fills against the internal walls of the tooth. The top of the tooth will be filled with adhesive cement that completely seals the canals. 

This stage may seem simple, but it can take some time because ensuring a proper seal is very important to keep bacteria away in the future. The dentist may give that cement the perfect shape according to other teeth in the jaw, so you will not find it odd, but this is not the end of this process.

Stage 4: Tooth Restoration 

The cement added in the previous step was permanent, and you will book an appointment with a dentist to remove that and replace it with a permanent filling. This time the dentist will not go deep into the tooth's roots. Doing so ensures you get enough healing time; if any issues are found, those could be treated. 

Instead, he will only remove the temporary upper filling and put in a permanent filling. This permanent filling will make the outer layer of your tooth as strong as it naturally is, while the temporary layer is not that strong. Thus, your tooth is restored, and so is your smile.

“A smile remains the most inexpensive gift.”

          (Og Mandino)                

With these 4 stages, your RCT is complete, and your tooth may last for years without any issues. 

All you must know about the root canal treatment recovery time.  

The process includes either local anesthesia or oral sedatives when you get RCT for an infected tooth. These numb the pain for the time being, but after their effect is over, mild discomfort and slight pain can be felt for a few days, lasting up to a week at max.              

This pain, however, can be managed with medication. So, the overall time RCT takes for one tooth must not be longer than a week. If the pain and discomfort are not going away even after a week, it is better to consult your dentist or health care provider for medical assistance. 

• Eating after root canal treatment during the recovery period 

The numbness from anesthesia can last a few hours, and eating anything during that time is not recommended. Sticking to softer foods that don't need you to chew hard or struggle with them would be wise. You don't want to put any pressure on your jaw as the gum tissues might still be recovering from the damage done by the infection. 

You may need to stick to these foods for a day or two, and as your comfort level with chewing increases, you can switch to everyday foods without any issues. During the first week of your treatment, you must refrain from chewing anything with that side of your mouth for which you got the RCT. You must be even more careful if you get RCT for multiple teeth. In all cases, you need to refrain from smoking unless you have fully healed. 

• Driving immediately after the surgery 

 Driving immediately after dental surgery is a significant concern; in the case of RCT, it depends on what medication you get to lower the pain. Some dentists prefer using nitrous oxide or local anesthesia. These effects only last during the surgery, and while your gum tissues feel numb, you have proper control over the body, which means you can drive. 

However, if you choose IV sedation or oral sedation for this surgery, you will not be good enough to drive for a few hours. Asking a family member or a friend to drive you home will be the right choice. 

How early can you get back to your routine activities? 

While the tooth and gum tissues in the surrounding take up to a week to recover, you can start with your routine activities the very next day. In most cases, the sedation will end its effects at night, and you can resume your normal activities, including the job or school, the next day after your surgery. 

While not at home, you must be extra careful about what you eat and refrain from touching that area of your face as it may cause pain. 

Is RCT a long-term solution for dental issues? 

Yes, removing infections prevents the tooth from getting into worse situations. Taking good care of your teeth afterward can last even a lifetime after an RCT. However, there are no guarantees that your tooth may last for a specific time as success depends on the treatment conducted ideally and the effectiveness of your after-care.         

Conclusion

Root canal treatment is the perfect solution for dental issues where a tooth's structure is good enough to work for years without replacement. However, root canal treatment is not only preferred for treating infection. Still, it is also an option to reduce pain when a patient undergoes dental adjustment procedures like getting dentures or braces in severe cases. Dividing it into 4 stages makes things easier for dentists, as your original tooth can be preserved with successful results.

Contact your dentist in Union City, Dr. Zafar Sayeedi, at Noble Dental Care to learn about the 4 stages of root canal treatment.

Resource:

Why getting Root Canal treatment is a good option?

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