What to Expect When Getting a Root Canal
May 12, 2021 4:54 pmWhen a tooth becomes infected, it can’t heal on its own. You’ll experience symptoms like throbbing pain, sensitivity, swollen gums, and more. Root canals remove the infection, relieve your pain, and save your tooth! In the past, dentists would have to just pull out the tooth, but thanks to modern dentistry, root canals are much better. What should you expect during this procedure?
Getting a Root Canal
Root canals have a bad reputation, but they’re not as scary as you might think! First, we completely numb your gums and teeth. You won’t feel any pain during the procedure, which is what most people are nervous about. We’ll then drill a tiny hole in the top of your tooth, so we can get to the pulp. With special tools, we’ll remove the infected pulp, clean the tooth thoroughly, fill the hole, and then seal it. We might place a crown on the tooth to strengthen it. Depending on how bad the infection is, root canals can take between 1 hour to 1 ½ hours.
After a Root Canal
After a root canal you’ll feel some discomfort or tenderness, but it will be significantly less intense than what you felt during the infection. You can go about your normal routine after a root canal, but avoid doing anything too demanding. For 2-3 days after, stick to soft foods like yogurt, smoothies, tuna/chicken salad, and so on. If the discomfort and swelling don’t improve or get worse, please call us.
Root Canals at Chandler Dental Center
Dr. Chandler and the team perform root canals all the time at our San Antonio office, so you’re in good hands. We always want to save your tooth if possible. If you’re nervous about the procedure, let us know and we’ll do everything we can to make you more comfortable. Regular cleanings and exams help prevent tooth infections, so if it’s been a while since your last appointment, contact us today to schedule one!
Categorised in: Oral Health, Root Canal Therapy
This post was written by Chandler Dental Center
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