You’ve been told that you need a root canal to save your tooth and remove an infection, and you’re wondering if you’re going to have a painful experience. In the past, root canals were notorious for being unpleasant. It’s natural to feel nervous about your upcoming treatment. However, root canal treatment is painless and easy.
What is a root canal?
Root canal treatment (endodontic treatment) is a dental procedure used to remove an infection in the pulp, save the tooth, and prevent re-infection. This procedure will help you save your natural tooth, relieve pain and make your teeth healthy again.
When do you need root canal treatment?
You will need a root canal for a chipped or cracked tooth, deep cavities from an untreated cavity, or problems from your previous filling. Symptoms you may experience if you need root canal treatment include:
.Tooth sensitivity (especially to cold and heat)
. Severe pain when biting or chewing
.Swelling or pimple-like protrusions on the gums
.Blackening of the gums or deep decay
.Sensitive or swollen gums
.A broken or chipped tooth
.Abscessed tooth
Important: You should treat the root canal as soon as possible. This is because the infection can spread and cause problems beyond your mouth.
How long does root canal treatment take?
Typically, a root canal treatment takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete, and more complex cases can take 90 minutes or more. One or two appointments are typically required to complete the procedure.
How make is root treatment?
To perform a root canal, your dentist or endodontist will take an X-ray of your teeth to determine if it’s okay to have the procedure and if the infection has spread to other areas. Your dentist will then numb the gum near your affected tooth with a small amount of numbing medicine and then inject a local anesthetic into your gums.
Once your tooth is numb, your dentist will drill a small hole in the top of your tooth to access the affected pulp. This pulp will contain blood vessels, sensitized nerves and bacteria that your dentist will remove before carefully cleaning all the channels in your tooth. Your dentist will then coat the area with antibiotics to disinfect the area and prevent re-infection.
After the canals are disinfected and cleaned, your dentist will finalize the procedure by filling and sealing your tooth. They may also prescribe oral antibiotics and over-the-counter pain medications to prevent pain after root canal treatment.
Is it painful?
Thanks to the local anesthesia used by dentists, you will not feel any pain during root canal treatment. The pain associated with root canal treatments comes from the tooth itself before it is treated. The truth is, removing the infection takes away the pain. Painful root canals are actually a myth.
Even if anesthesia is not used, you should not feel any pain during your root canal treatment. To be on the safe side, professional dental professionals use anesthesia to numb the tooth and prevent the slightest possibility of pain. You may feel some pressure on your tooth during the procedure, but nothing more than that.
You will likely experience mild pain and discomfort for a few days after the procedure. It is normal to experience this pain for a while, and you can manage it with pain medication. Remember that you should visit your dentist if it exceeds a week. Learn more about root canal treatment here.
