Dentists recommend root canal treatment for damaged, diseased, or infected teeth. The procedure aims to eliminate bacteria within the tooth's pulp and save the natural tooth structure. Once a tooth has fully matured, its pulp is no longer necessary for nourishment. During a root canal, the dentist removes the infected pulp, disinfects the interior of the tooth, and seals it to prevent reinfection.
Decay and damage do not always affect only one tooth. Some patients have a predisposition for cavities, leading to multiple decayed teeth. Similarly, trauma or chronic grinding can crack more than one tooth, extending cracks into the pulp and causing infection. If an individual has several infected or damaged teeth, a dentist may recommend multiple root canals over separate appointments.
To understand when a root canal is needed, it helps to know tooth anatomy. The pulp is soft tissue beneath the enamel and dentin that contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. Deep decay or cracks can allow bacteria to invade the pulp. As infection takes hold, the pulp becomes inflamed and painful. Common signs of pulp infection include: • Severe pain while chewing • Swollen or tender gums • Prolonged sensitivity to hot and cold • Discolored or darkened gums • Bumps or pimples on the gum surface If left untreated, the infection can spread to surrounding tissues and the jawbone. A root canal removes the infected pulp and preserves the tooth to maintain proper bite force and alignment.
While multiple teeth may require root canal therapy, dentists typically do not perform several root canals in a single visit. Each procedure begins by creating a small opening in the crown to access the pulp chamber. The dentist then removes the diseased pulp, thoroughly disinfects the interior, and shapes the canal space for filling. Most root canal appointments last 30 to 60 minutes. However, more complex cases—such as molars with three or four canals—may take 90 minutes or longer. Canines and incisors, which have a single canal, often require less time. After cleaning, the dentist places a temporary filling and schedules a second visit to fit a permanent crown. Patients usually return to normal activities within a day or two. Full healing takes a few days, though some cases may require up to two weeks. If multiple teeth are infected, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics first and stagger the root canals across several appointments to ensure proper healing.
Root canals preserve a patient's natural teeth and restore comfort. When multiple teeth are infected or damaged, it is possible to receive more than one root canal over time. Although multiple root canal treatments are not performed in a single appointment, each affected tooth can be treated in a series of visits to restore oral health.
