He states, 'Root canal is a procedure that focuses on conserving the tooth. If it is possible to preserve and protect the tooth satisfactorily, the number of visits does not matter. Patients should trust the decision of the dentist regarding the number of visits for required.

He proceeds to say that single visit vs multi-visit root canal treatment is an oft-debated matter. Hence, the treating dentist is the best person to decide the number of trips the patient needs to make to complete the root canal procedure.

Explaining the root canal procedure in more detail, he states that the tooth is made up of crown and root while the crown is made up of enamel, dentin, and pulp, and the root is made up of root canals with pulpal tissue. A root canal procedure is advised when the infection has reached the bone beneath the root, i.e. it has spread from the enamel, dentin, pulp, and root canals and infection reaching pulpal tissue or bone when treatment is ignored.

He believes that a single visit root canal procedure is saves a great deal of time and is more effective too, as there are less chances of flare ups and infections in the treating tooth.

A tooth has two sections viz. the crown and root. The crown contains enamel, dentin, and pulp make up the crown while the root comprises of cementum, dentin, and root canals packed with pulpal tissue.

The dentist will recommend a root canal procedure after thorough examination including its imaging. It is likely that the infection will penetrate the tooth and travel through the enamel, dentin, and pulp which then spread to the root canals and into the bone beneath the tooth. If left untreated or the treatment is ignored, the infection will reach the pulpal tissue or bone.

The dentist removes all the infection in the pulp during the root canal procedure and fills the tooth with a permanent restoration and seals the sterile, cleaned area in the pulp. The dentist will perform a root canal procedure with extreme caution and with bacteria-free tools to prevent further infection.

The dentist will use the latest technology and equipment, such as surgical microscopes, NiTi Rotary instrument systems, magnifying loupes, ultrasonic devices, and the latest obturation systems. The dentist must take utmost care to use sterile instruments to prevent infection.

During a single visit for root canal treatment, the dentist or endodontist will clean, shape, and obturate the tooth and seal it. On the other hand, a multiple visit treatment involves individual sittings for cleaning, debriding and obturating the tooth. The entire procedure is performed in phases.

The reasons for multiple sitting root canal treatment are limited, preferred only in case of active pus discharge or acute pain at the time of procedure, other than this in all cases single visit root canal treatment is preferred. There is no added advantage of multiple sitting root canal treatment over single sitting root canal treatment.

In multiple sitting RCT there are high chances of infection in between different sittings, where as in single sitting RCT these risks are not there. Post treatment flare up chances are same in both modalities. Also, single-sitting root canal treatment is preferred for certain dental restoration procedures when there is a need to speed up the process for aesthetics, functionality and form of the tooth.

Hence, the decision to proceed with a single or multiple sitting root canal treatment depends upon various factors, including the patient's factors, the condition of the tooth that requires the treatment and the expertise of the doctor.

Dr Suhrab Singh is an expert endodontist &implantologist, available for consultation at Neo Dental Clinic, Noida. He comes with nearly ten years of extensive training, knowledge and experience in treating dental issues of patients across all age groups.