WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A ROOT CANAL TREATMENT?

When you have a tooth that has died or decayed beyond repair, your dentist may suggest performing a root canal treatment. Your local dentist office will extract the pulp from the middle of the tooth and replace it with a filling. This will promote healing of the tooth and protect against infection. If you are having a root canal performed, here is what you can expect:

You Will Not Feel a Thing

Your dentist will want you to be as relaxed as possible. Before starting the root canal treatment the dentist will inject local anesthetic around the gums. Your gums, teeth, tongue and the surrounding skin will feel completely numb. You may feel slight pressure, but you should not experience any pain during the procedure.

Removing the Pulp

With special tools and a drill, your dentist will carefully extract the pulp from the decayed tooth. Your dentist will take special care to make sure all of the pulp is taken out to avoid infection or complications. Next, medicine will be inserted, along with material that will provide a filling for the tooth.

You Get Crowned

Oftentimes, after a root canal the tooth will then need a permanent crown placed over it. The dentist will make an impression of the tooth to design a crown that will be a perfect match to cover the existing tooth. The crown may take several days to construct, so your dentist may put on a temporary crown until the permanent one can be bonded to the tooth.

After the Root Canal

After the procedure your lips and gums may feel numb for a few hours. This is perfectly normal and will wear off gradually. Later you may experience some pain that may last one to two days. An over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen should relieve your discomfort.

Your teeth and gums are an important part to your overall wellbeing. Keep them healthy with regular check-ups and maintenance. Call our local dentist office today to schedule an appointment.