What happens after root canal therapy?

What happens after root canal therapy?

A root canal is a valuable dental treatment that can help you to save a severely damaged or decayed tooth. Unfortunately, though, the root canal has developed a negative reputation over time, and some may dread the procedure.

When performing a root canal, the dentist clears away infected pulp material from the tooth’s inner core. After the pulp has been removed, the empty chamber is filled with an inert rubber-like substance called gutta percha.

Before undergoing the procedure, many patients express concerns about the effects they will experience afterward. If you have any such worries, it’s important to discuss them with your dentist in advance so you will know what to expect.

Although many patients associate the idea of a root canal with severe discomfort, that is not necessarily the case anymore. Advanced instruments and techniques have significantly reduced the levels of discomfort that result from a root canal.

Following a root canal, patients often report a level of discomfort no more significant than that associated with having a cavity filled. Any uncomfortable feelings that that patients do experience typically can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications.

Most patients also will have a crown placed sometime after the root canal as a further level of protection against additional damage to the tooth. Until the crown is in place, it is best to avoid chewing with the tooth that received the root canal. This will help to prevent the re-introduction of bacteria into the area.

Root canals have a very high success rate, generally around 95 percent. Most patients who undergo a root canal will need no further treatment, although in a small number of cases the root canal may need to be re-done, especially if there were additional chambers in the tooth’s center and one was not cleaned out. This is rare, though.

If a root canal has been recommended in your case, don’t procrastinate in seeking treatment out of anxiety. Schedule a consultation with any of our skilled dentists to discuss the process and procedure to set your mind at ease prior to your appointment. Call 972-264-5795 today.