What To Expect From a Root Canal
A typical root canal can be broken down into three steps.
Anesthesia
The dentist will apply anesthesia or freezing to the affected tooth to help minimize discomfort. Once the freezing has taken effect, your dentist isolates the tooth from the rest of your mouth with a rubber sheet called a dental dam.
Cleaning the Chamber
The procedure begins by drilling a small hole in the top of the tooth, granting access to the pulp. Using a series of small tools, your dentist will remove the diseased pulp through the hole in the tooth. Once the infected pulp has been taken out, the dentist will set to work reshaping the inner chamber of the tooth, preparing it for a filling.
Filling the Chamber
Once the chamber has been properly shaped and thoroughly cleaned out, the dentist will fill the empty chamber. They’ll most likely fill the hole in the top of the tooth with a temporary filling, which may eventually be replaced with a permanent crown.
