Root Canal Therapy: What to Expect

It’s no secret that toothaches are incredibly painful. When you’re dealing with that searing, throbbing, relentless pain in your mouth, it can make the entire side of your head feel like it’s going to implode and even radiate into your ear and neck. That type of pain makes it impossible to concentrate on anything other than the problem tooth. You don’t feel like going to work, taking care of the kids, or even crawling out of bed, and even prescription painkillers won’t numb the misery. All you want is to get rid of that tooth for good.

Exploring Another Option

As it turns out, you don’t necessarily have to have a broken or infected tooth pulled to end the merciless agony. For many people, a root canal can offer effective relief from the pain without sacrificing the tooth that’s causing it. During a root canal, the Best Local Dentists remove the soft tissues inside the tooth and clean its hollow inner chambers, or canals, to get rid of any infection and inflammation. Then, they’ll fill in the tooth and cover it with a crown to provide structural support and prevent further problems.

What to Expect During a Root Canal Procedure

You’ll most likely have dental x-rays taken before planning a root canal procedure with your dentist. This way, the dentist can make sure that a root canal is the appropriate choice of treatment. If so, the actual procedure will probably be scheduled for a later date. 

On the Day of the Procedure

When the time for the procedure comes, you’ll be given a local anesthetic just as you would with a standard tooth extraction to ensure you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. From there, a dental dam may be placed in your mouth to contain debris and bacteria from the affected tooth. Then, the dentist will drill into the tooth and use special tools to remove the soft tissues within. Once all the soft tissue and infection have been removed, the dentist will thoroughly clean the inside of the tooth and fill it with specially designed dental materials. 

After the Root Canal Procedure

Once the anesthetic wears off, you may experience a bit of discomfort and soreness much as you would after having a tooth pulled. Rest assured, it won’t be nearly as painful as the tooth was before the procedure. You may need to take antibiotics for several days after the procedure, and you’ll probably be given painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications. You’ll need to eat soft foods for a few days as well. After a brief healing period, you’ll be asked to return to the dentist for a follow-up appointment to make sure you’re healing properly. That’s when the crown will be applied to the tooth.

Enjoying a Pain-Free Tooth

After the tooth has healed, you’ll be able to proceed with your normal routines. You can enjoy all types of foods and drink hot or cold beverages without fear. Keep in mind, it’s important to keep up with proper brushing and flossing habits. All the while, you’ll be able to enjoy the freedom of not being bogged down by unbearable tooth pain or having to learn to eat around a missing tooth. Root canals are suitable solutions for many people, and they’re an effective alternative to having problem teeth extracted.