Is it really possible for a root canal to take less than 15 mins?

[Sarah117]

I had a severely infected tooth. Last Sunday the side of my face, chin, and lip went numb. On Monday I was at the dentist first thing. I was sure it had to be pulled but he did x-rays and said he could save the tooth. He also said infection had spread to my jaw from the x-rays. He then proceeded to get me numb and said this won't take long about 15 mins. He was done in under 15 mins. Not much drilling and then a tool that did a tapping sound. He put me on antibiotics. I went back the next day still in so much pain.

He said this was normal due to the trauma and infection. He then gave me steroids to take with antibiotics. I was told to come back in a week. I am still having pain. Not as painful as before the root canal but it still hurts. My lower jaw, chin, and lip have pins and needles which is also very uncomfortable.

I have a few questions as this was not my first root canal. Is it possible that technology is so advanced now that a root canal can be done in one visit and in such a short amount of time?

My last root canal 15yrs ago was done in 3 visits.

Also, it is normal to have a root canal before being treated with antibiotics? It is true I was in agony when I went in, so maybe he did not want to make me wait for treatment. But I wonder if this is why I am not healing? Too infected to have had a root canal?

Do I ask him to give me another week of antibiotics before having the tooth pulled?
Lastly, has anyone gone numb from an abscess and did it ever go away?

Sorry for all the questions. I just don't know what to do at this point. I already partially paid for the root canal, I hate to have to pay again and still lose the tooth. But this numbness is scaring me. Also forgot to mention that the 3 teeth next to root canal still hurt too.

Thank you in advance for the help.

Sarah

 

[apl789]

Impossible to do root canal properly in 15 minutes.
I doubt if a RC was done.
They normally wait for the infection to clear first.

 

[TallPoppy]

Root canal treatment under 15 min, quite possible, weather done properly under that time, not that quite possible.

I had a RCT done in under 45 min single sitting and am now paying the price through a possible failure and future costs.

Do you have any idea what material was used for obduration and what for filling / core build up. Also am not sure if you mentioned which tooth.

Wishing you well!

 

[Sarah117]

Impossible to do root canal properly in 15 minutes.
I doubt if a RC was done.
They normally wait for the infection to clear first.

Thank you for replying. I was surprised myself as I had RC done a few times many years ago. All failed over time and one failed that was done 4yrs ago. Dentist still wanted to go through with the post and crown but I was in pain and he pulled it because I refused to go further.

 

[Sarah117]

Root canal treatment under 15 min, quite possible, weather done properly under that time, not that quite possible.

I had a RCT done in under 45 min single sitting and am now paying the price through a possible failure and future costs.

Do you have any idea what material was used for obduration and what for filling / core build up. Also am not sure if you mentioned which tooth.

Wishing you well!

I have no idea what he used. I was in agony when I went in. Not a private Dentist, its one of those new Dental places popping up all over where you can walk in. Big place with a few Dentists and 1 Endodontic and 1 oral surgeon. I don't know why they did not have the Dentist that specializes in RC take care of me. I had a bad flare up last night again. Severe pain. I am going to ask to see the Endodontic Doctor have a look. But to be honest, not sure she will say or do anything since its the same practice. But if she says I am fine, then I am going to get a 2nd opinion. I just hope if this was done wrong, they will refund what I paid so I can pay another specialist. I am n Disability and this RC treatment is not cheap. As for the tooth. Its the lower left side right next to the last molar.

Thank you for replying. I appreciate it.

 

[apl789]

NHS RC's are a waste of time.

 

[MattKW]

Simply not possible. The continued tingling of lip, chin, and jaw is suggestive of damage to the major nerve supplying these teeth. It is possible there has been over-instrumentation or extrusion of root filling material into nerve canal of jaw. You must go back to them and make mention of this problem. If they um and ah, then ask for referral to oral surgeon or equivalent for investigation. In any case, after going back to them, I'd get an independent 2nd opinion before attempting any retreatment.

 

[Busybee]

I would never let a regular dentist do a root treatment. I would always go to a specialist endodontist who does this all the time and has experience of all complications. They also have special equipment. A really good general dentist will not attempt a root treatment but will always refer. That's based on my opinion of the dentists I have used who I consider to be excellent, conservative of tooth health and ethical. I have only had incisor root treatments so one root and this was always done in two sessions. A dressing, soft temp filling & disinfectant was put on after the first appointment to allow any infection to drain out. At the second appointment a few days later the tooth was filled and the root treatment completed. Both took about an hour. That's for one root. I have never had any complications and it's now 22 years since the first rct.