What to Expect When You Need a Root Canal

The American Dental Association is aware of how most patients view a root canal procedure. Root canal strikes fear in many people. It makes any dental situation sound dire if the dentist tells you that you need this procedure. Understanding a root canal procedure can help lower your anxiety about it. If you want to find out what to expect during a root canal, here’s what you should know.

One or Two Dental Visits

An endodontist or general dentist will perform the procedure. The level of attention and treatment depends on the gravity of your case. After a thorough check, your dentist will decide who can give you the more optimal treatment.

Dental X-rays

This type of imaging test allows the dentist to see inside your teeth, gums, and jawbone. A dental X-ray helps determine where and how big the infection is.

Anesthesia

Your dentist or endodontist will numb the area with a local anesthetic. Doing so will ensure a painless experience throughout the procedure. Some patients may need more than this type of anesthesia if their pain tolerance is low.

Rubber Dam

The dentist or endodontist needs to isolate the tooth. A rubber dam around the tooth will ensure that the area has ample protection during the root canal treatment.

Drilling

This may be the scariest of all the parts of a root canal treatment. Yet, keep in mind that your dentist will give you a local anesthetic. You will not feel any pain at all while your dental care provider accesses the infected tooth. This will allow your dentist or endodontist to remove decayed tooth material and clean your tooth.

Sealing

After cleaning the tooth out, the dental care professional will place some medication inside the tooth. There will be a temporary sealant, which will hold the medication in place. It will also prevent sediments and particles from entering the tooth. The infection inside the tooth must clear up first. Only then will the dentist or endodontist place the permanent filling. The filling will be a mixture of rubber material and sealer paste.

Other restorations

This may be possible in other cases. The dentist or endodontist may place a post inside the tooth and a crown over it. Your dental care provider will explain to you why this additional restoration is crucial for your dental health.

Good Dental Care at Home

Your treated tooth will have some sensitivity at first, which will fade as the tooth heals. Over-the-counter pain relievers will help you manage the pain. You should avoid using the tooth to chew. Following your dentist’s instructions will help you heal better.

Having a root canal is not as terrible as other people may think. At kksmiles, we put our client’s comfort and dental health needs first. Please visit our clinic in Marietta, Georgia, for a one-on-one consultation. Please call us at 770-830-3700 if you want to schedule an appointment or ask more questions about our root canal packages.