Sumaya Ibraheem, DDS, is a general dentist practicing in New York. She works in numerous private practices, comprehensively caring for a diverse patient population in all areas of general dentistry.

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In root canal treatment, the infected pulp chamber is removed from inside the toth that travels down the length of the root to the tip or "canal." Human teeth may have one to four root canals, depending on the anatomy of the tooth. Molars, may have 2 to 4 canals, premolars may have 1 to 2 canals, cuspids may have 1 to 2 canals, and finally, incisors generally have 1 canal. Extra canals may branch out from the main canal, called "accessory canals." The number of canals and the anatomy can vary among teeth.

The tiny canals contain the pulp of the tooth also commonly referred to as the nerve, which originates from the pulp chamber. Any trauma or infection of the nerve will result in the need for root canal therapy.

Common reasons for root canal therapy include:

Root canal therapy can be performed in single or multiple visits. Before the procedure, though, your dentist will advise you as to the number of appointments necessary to complete the canal. If you had an infection or abscess in the tooth, the dentist may choose to have you start antibiotics before completing the root canal. Your dentist will begin the appointment by giving you local anesthetic to "numb" the tooth that is being worked on.

After your tooth is "numb", you may expect the following procedures:

When the local anesthetic has worn off, your tooth may be sore from the procedure. Your dentist may recommend a pain reliever to take at home, and depending on the circumstances behind your root canal, antibiotics may be prescribed to clear up any remaining infection in the tooth. If you were on antibiotics before the procedure, your dentist will instruct you to finish the remaining medication.

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American Associatiaon of Endodontists. What is a Root Canal?

Monsarrat P, Arcaute B, Peters OA, et al. Interrelationships in the variability of root canal anatomy among the permanent teeth: a full-mouth approach by cone-beam ct. Cray J, ed. PLoS ONE. 2016;11(10):e0165329. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165329

American Association of Endonotists. Reasons for Root Canal Treatment.

Ahmadi H, Ebrahimi A, Ahmadi F. Antibiotic therapy in dentistry. International Journal of Dentistry. 2021;2021:e6667624. doi: 10.1155/2021/F6667624

.American Association of Endodontists. Root Canal Explained.

American Association of Endodontists. Endodontic Retreatment Explained.

Vishwanath V, Rao HM. Gutta-percha in endodontics - A comprehensive review of material science. Journal of Conservative Dentistry. 2019;22(3):216. doi: 10.4103/JCD.JCD_420_18

Yavorek A, Bhagavatula P, Patel K, Szabo A, Ibrahim M. The incidence of root canal therapy after full-coverage restorations: a 10-year retrospective study. Journal of Endodontics. 2020;46(5):605-610. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2020.01.025.

National Institute of Dental and Cranofacial Research. Opioids & Dental Pain.

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