Important Facts to Keep in Mind Regarding Root Canals

Many of our patients are afraid of root canals. We can almost see them shudder when we tell them that is the best treatment option. Root canals, like dentists, have a reputation for inflicting pain that goes back centuries. Even in the 20th-century dentistry was painful, but those days are gone.

Advances in dentistry techniques and procedures have made painful dentistry a thing of the distant past.

Today we not only better tools and techniques, but we are able to offer anesthesia for those who need it. In the case of root canals, we can use a local anesthetic that will deaden the pain in the area where we are working. That makes your root canal relatively pain free.

What Should I Know About Root Canals?

A root canal is called for if you have a damaged tooth that cannot be repaired any other way because it also damaged the pulp or if you have pulp inside your tooth that has become infected or inflamed. This can lead to a tooth abscess which is an infection in your tooth.

If we tell you that a root canal is called for, the first thing you should know is that it will require two visits. In the first visit, we clean the root canal and remove any infection that may be present. We also take an impression for your crown. When you come back, we place the crown on your remaining tooth. The crown looks just like a natural tooth and is made to match the color of your surrounding teeth.

After the root canal treatment does not bite or chew on that tooth until the crown is placed. You will have a temporary crown, but it isn’t as strong as the permanent crown you get on the next visit. Of course, you should continue to brush and floss like you usually do. If you smoke, you should stop. Smoking slows down the healing process.