During the first sitting of a root canal procedure, the following steps are typically followed:
- The affected tooth is numbed using local anesthesia. This helps to reduce pain and discomfort during the procedure.
- The dentist will then create an opening in the top of the tooth to access the root canal.
- Using special dental instruments, the dentist will remove the infected tissue and bacteria from inside the root canal.
- The root canal is then cleaned and disinfected to ensure that all bacteria and infected tissue have been removed.
- Once the root canal is clean and disinfected, the dentist will fill the root canal with a special dental material called gutta-percha. This seals the root canal and helps to protect the tooth from further infection.
- The opening in the top of the tooth is then sealed with a temporary filling to protect the tooth until the final restoration (such as a crown or filling) can be placed.
- The root canal procedure may be completed in a single sitting, or it may require multiple visits depending on the complexity of the case.