When patients hear the term “root canal”, they tend to wince in pain, but root canals no longer require the long, painful procedure. Introducing: Same Day Dentistry! Same-day dentistry (SDD) refers to the practice of performing procedures that typically require 2-3 office visits in only one appointment, reducing discomfort and overall healing time. Read on to learn how SDD compares to a traditional root canal.

Traditional Root Canal Procedure: 2-3 Appointments

First Visit:

Step 1: Local anesthesia is administered to numb the tooth and surrounding tissues.

Step 2: A dental dam — a thin sheet of rubber or vinyl with a hole in the center— is placed across the affected and neighboring teeth, isolating the affected tooth from the rest of the mouth.

Step 3: A small entrance hole is drilled through the biting surface of the affected tooth, allowing access to the pulp chamber and root canals for treatment.

Step 4: The diseased and dead pulp tissue is then removed from the tooth. This procedure is not painful as the area is numb, and the tissue being removed is either dead or dying.

Step 5: The canals are then disinfected with antiseptic and antibacterial solutions, shaped with tiny flexible instruments, and then washed and cleaned.

Step 6: A filling is selected to fit into the freshly prepared canals and seal them from contaminants; a temporary filling seals the access hole, and the dental dam is removed.

Second Visit:

Step 7: During your second visit, a crown or filling is placed over the tooth to seal and protect it from recontamination and damage.

Step 8: An antibiotic is prescribed to treat or prevent infection. It is common to have minor pain after treatment that can be managed with over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, or a combination of the two.

Same-Day Dentistry Root Canal Procedure: 1 Appointment

The Difference:

The entire procedure is done in one office visit. Less healing time is required for numbing injections because we complete the procedure in one day, there is a decreased chance of infection between visits using CEREC technology, and we can produce the protective crowns in-house, which means timely edits can be made. You are guaranteed to leave our office with a dazzling, comfortable and healthy smile. If you need a root canal and would like more information on SDS’s Same Day Dentistry service, call (847) 348-8673.