It’s no secret that people don’t like root canals. In fact, a recent survey from the AAE of 1,000 participants found that 53% would rather have a snake in their lap for 15 minutes and 41% would rather go swimming with sharks! While you don’t have to be excited about getting this tooth-saving procedure, you don’t have to dread it. In fact, the whole thing may take far less time than you expect! Read on as we cover how long you can expect root canal therapy in Worcester to take.
The Root of the Process
During root canal therapy, damaged or infected tissue from inside a tooth is removed. Naturally, the more tissue that needs to be removed, the longer the process is. So the size of the tooth being worked on will influence how long the root canal will take. Here’s a rough outline of how long each type of tooth will take to repair:
- Molar: These large teeth can have up to four roots and a lot of inner tissue. It can take 90 minutes or more to completely clean out a molar.
- Premolar: These teeth are slightly smaller and have one or two roots that hold them in place. They usually only require 45-90 minutes to treat.
- Incisors and canines: As the smallest teeth, the incisors and canines only have one root to clean out, which may only take 30-60 minutes to complete a root canal.
Speeding the Process Up with GentleWave®
Dentistry is constantly evolving to be faster, more efficient, and more comfortable, and root canal therapy is no exception. With the help of GentleWave® technology, your dentist can use a combination of cleaning fluids and sound waves to remove the decayed tissue instead of scraping it away with a scalpel. This unique method is much less invasive than traditional root canal therapy and has the ability to provide a much more thorough and deeper cleaning to ensure absolutely no bacteria is left behind. Plus, GentleWave® can significantly reduce how long your root canal therapy takes and allows for faster healing afterwards!
The Recovery Time for Root Canal Therapy
It usually only takes patients a few days to recover from root canal therapy. Withing the first day or two, it’s normal to experience some soreness and discomfort in the mouth. Your dentist will either prescribe you a specific pain medication or recommend taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like Ibuprofen as directed on the label for several days. Swelling and discomfort should both begin to fade away within 2-3 days. If they don’t, then call your dentist right away to ensure there isn’t an underlying issue.
About the Practice
At Worcester Endodontics, you can count on us for fast, precise, and comfortable dental care. Whether you need root canal therapy, endodontic surgery, or any of our other specialized services, your comfort and safety are always our top priority. We use state-of-the-art technology like GentleWave® and offer calming sedation dentistry to ensure your treatment is as pleasant and fast as possible. If you have more questions about root canal therapy, we can be reached online or at (508) 755-3636.