If you’ve just been informed that you need a root canal by your dentist, you can be wondering what to anticipate during your next visit. Before you go in for your first root canal, there are a few things you should know.
Do I really need a root canal to solve my problem?
A root canal is the most pain-free and cost-effective way to save a tooth that has become infected due to decay or damage. To preserve a natural tooth, this is the standard procedure. When compared to having a tooth extracted, a root canal operation is often far less painful and has a quicker recovery period. Patients sometimes compare the agony of a root canal treatment to that of having a filling.
Your dentist can also recommend a root canal for the following reasons:
- Sensitive teeth
- Experiencing positional discomfort, such as back ache that worsens while lying down
- The ache that comes on suddenly
- A dental abscess, or an infection of the jawbone
- A gum fistula
Once a patient has decided to have a root canal, what can they expect?
Your dentist will drill into the affected tooth to remove the diseased pulp and restore its function during a root canal operation. Your tooth will be thoroughly cleaned and reshaped before being filled and sealed to prevent further decay. In some cases, a filling can be sufficient, but in others, more extensive work will be required. Your dentist may want to see you again for a crown book appointment. When you can use your teeth for chewing again without pain, that’s a huge relief.
Root canal therapy often involves sitting in a chair with your mouth wide open for a few hours. Inconvenient as it can be, this step is essential. Find out from your dentist whether you can play some tunes or listen to a podcast while you have your teeth worked on. It could be a good way to kill time and focus on anything other than the current situation.
Your dentist will use a local anaesthetic to ensure your maximum comfort during dental work. Your troubled tooth and the region surrounding it will go numb. They will probably take x-rays to use as reference points. Once the tooth has been prepared for treatment, your dentist can additionally opt to put a rubber dental dam to keep the area clean. Having this safeguard in place also prevents foreign things from falling into the oral cavity.
If you’re considering getting a root canal, here are some questions to ask your dentist beforehand.
- Should I get a root canal even if it’s not urgent?
- So, what other choices do I have?
- Is there any way my tooth might heal without a root canal?
- Do I need to visit a doctor?
- What about the rest of my teeth and gums? Will they become infected too?
Following the Procedure
Your gum treatments and lips will feel numb for a while after your root canal operation. You can feel like going about your usual routine, but your dentist might recommend waiting until you have a crown before doing so. This is because, if your treated tooth is still weak, using it for chewing might cause it to break again.
Once the effects of the anaesthesia wear off, you could experience some discomfort. This sometimes persists for a few days following surgery. You can alleviate some of the pressure by sleeping with your head propped up, and your dentist can also prescribe pain medication.
Get in contact with your dentist as soon as possible if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms:
- Swelling
- Infection warning signs
- Any kind of skin response indicative of an allergy
- Unequal Chewing
- Harsh physical discomfort
- Profuse Bleeding
- Fever
- Itching
Don’t Delay Getting a Root Canal.
If your dentist has suggested a root canal, it’s in your best interest to schedule the treatment as soon as possible. This is because a worsening illness poses a greater risk of harm and increased difficulty in treatment. Be careful to obtain the care you need in a timely way so you can resume regular oral functions like eating and talking without discomfort.
Is there any plan B if my root canal doesn’t work?
Root canals are quite effective. However, anatomical peculiarities and bacteria resistance can undermine even the most effective root canal procedures. Most unsuccessful therapies can be retried with better results, which is excellent news.
Some potential causes of a failed root canal:
- Lack of attention to oral hygiene
- Experiencing problems with the crown put over the restored teeth
- Having an endodontic instrument become stuck in the canal
- Because of an additional canal
- The dentist is unable to work via the canals
If anything goes wrong during the surgery, your doctor will do everything they can to fix it and make sure you get the best possible result. Due to the removal of the nerves and blood arteries from the tooth, it can take some time for symptoms to be identified if there is a failure following the treatment.
This emphasises the need of scheduling regular dental exams to catch any signs of trouble before the root canal fails. The rear teeth are more prone to failure because they have more roots and are more difficult to remove, clean, and cure.
Although root canals can first strike one as a terrifying dental procedure, they are really rather routine and routinely successful. By the time your dentist is done fixing your tooth, you will feel so much better that you will realise it was well worth it.