What it is
In a root canal treatment the infected or inflamed nerve is removed, the canals are cleaned and sealed. It is usually done under local anaesthetic in one to three visits.
A root-treated back tooth is more brittle, so a crown or onlay is often recommended afterwards. Ask about the timing: some dentists like to wait to see that the tooth has settled.
If your plan contains many crowns but no fillings or root canals, ask why. Saving natural teeth is usually the better long-term choice.
A typical schedule
- Day 1
Examination and X-rays. Treatment can start the same day.
- Day 2–4
Canals cleaned and sealed over one or more visits.
- Day 4–5
Permanent filling, or preparation for a crown.
A typical pattern only. The clinic sets your real schedule after the examination. Try the holiday planner to see it as a trip.
Questions worth asking
- Will you use a microscope and rubber dam?
- How many visits will it take?
- Does the tooth need a crown afterwards, and when?