Your tooth is made up of several layers, and beneath these layers is a soft tissue typically called pulp. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels, and is the main pathway for nutrients to flow to help your teeth grow. Unfortunately, bacteria buildup in your gums and teeth can cause your pulp to get infected.
A root canal treatment is a procedure in which the infected pulp in your teeth is removed in order to save your tooth. Fully grown teeth do not need pulp to survive, so the infected pulp is replaced to prevent further damage to your teeth. While a root canal is a serious procedure, successful treatment will ensure that you don’t have to remove or replace your tooth.
Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about root canal treatments:
When Should I Get a Root Canal?
It is highly recommended that you get a comprehensive dental examination and cleaning once every six months. This examination will help you maintain your oral health, and also help your dentist identify potential problems in your mouth before they develop into very painful, deep rooted infections.
These examinations are important because the best way to identify if you need a root canal is when a dental abscess develops. A dental abscess is a pocket of pus formed from pulp infections in your mouth. These abscesses are very hard to identify by just looking in your home mirror, which is why x-ray and comprehensive examinations are vital to your oral health.
Depending on when an abscess is identified can determine the treatment you need for your mouth.
Consult an endodontist for an appointment if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Swollen, bright red, or bleeding gums.
- Severe, dull, throbbing, or sharp pain or toothache.
- Pain while chewing food, especially soft foods and liquids.
- Extreme pain or sensitivity to hot or cold foods.
- Bad breath or a bitter taste in your mouth even after brushing your teeth, no pain is associated with this as the reason for the bad taste is the pus is draining thru a little bump or pimple along the gum-line.
What to Expect From Root Canal Treatment:
Root canals used to be notorious for being an extremely painful procedure. Fortunately, modern dental treatments and mild anesthetics will ensure you feel little to no pain during treatment. It is a very similar experience to getting a filling for your teeth.
Root canal treatments are quick. The treatment itself typically takes only 1-2 hours, though it may take longer depending on the tooth or if multiple teeth require treatment. Most patients can return to school or work after 2 to 4 hours of rest.
However, be advised that numbness may take a day to wear off, and it will take a few days before your mouth feels entirely normal once again. Make sure to follow all recommended suggestions by your endodontist after the procedure to ensure proper recovery.
Forest Lake Endodontics provides comprehensive endodontic care to those dealing with dental pain and infection. Mary Ann Bunczak, DDS MS associates and her expert team perform a full suite of endodontic care such as root canal therapy, apical endodontic surgery, root canal retreatment, dental trauma, GentleWave root canal therapy with on-site 3D digital scans. Contact Forest Lake Endodontics today for an appointment!