Looking into the Root Canal Treatment and Procedure

Most people are not thrilled when they find out they need to go through a dental procedure. For instance, your dentist will recommend a root canal to save your tooth if you have an infection.

Endodontic treatment is a dental technique that removes an infection from the pulp, saves the tooth, and prevents reinfection. This technique can help save your natural tooth, ease pain, and restore the health of your teeth.

You might be scared because root canals were once known for being a painful procedure. Understandably, you're worried about your future treatment, but the root canal treatment at reputable dental clinics today is usually painless and simple.

Below, you will learn more about the root canal procedure and solutions to counter the pain.

Determining the Need for a Root Canal

If you have a broken tooth, significant decay from an untreated cavity, or problems from a previous filling, you'll require a root canal. The root canal must be treated as soon as possible. This is because the infection has the potential to spread and cause problems outside of your mouth.

A root canal procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes on average, with more complicated cases lasting up to 90 minutes or more. It's normally completed in one or two appointments.

Going Over the Root Canal Procedure

In order to do a root canal, your dentist will take an x-ray of your teeth to see if this treatment is the right one and if the infection has spread to other areas. Next, they will numb the gums near your impacted tooth with a small amount of numbing medicine and inject a local anesthetic into your gums.

Once your tooth is numb, your dentist will make a small incision in the crown of your tooth to access the afflicted pulp. Blood vessels, sensitive nerves, and germs are all found in the pulp, which your dentist will remove before thoroughly cleaning all of the canals in your tooth.

Next, your dentist will apply antibiotics to the affected area to disinfect it and prevent reinfection. They will finish the treatment by filling and sealing your tooth once the canals have been sterilized and cleaned.

To avoid post-root canal pain, they may also prescribe oral antibiotics and over-the-counter pain relievers.

Gauging the Pain Level

Root canals aren't as painful as they're made up to be. Thanks to the local anesthetic used by dentists, you won't feel any pain during the root canal process.

There should not be any pain throughout your root canal treatment, even if an anesthetic is not utilized. You may feel a slight pressure on your tooth during the procedure but nothing more.

The discomfort associated with root canal procedures is caused by the tooth itself prior to treatment. The truth is that getting rid of the problem also gets rid of the pain.

Conclusion

After the treatment, you'll probably feel some slight pain and discomfort for a few days. This type of discomfort has been common for a while, and pain drugs can help you manage it. Take note that if the pain persists for more than a week, you should see your dentist.

If you need a reputable local dentist in Waterford, you can trust Dental House MI. We're a dental practice that provides dental services, including cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, oral surgery, dental implants, and more. Contact us to schedule your dental appointment today!