Getting a root canal is not fun. If anything, it can feel scary and intimidating when preparing for the treatment. While the procedure has come far from being painful and complex, it can still leave you with questions and doubts.
If you are curious about your upcoming root canal treatment, this is the place for you. In this article we will discuss everything you can expect during and after the treatment to prepare yourself for your appointment.
What Is A Root Canal?
An endodontic treatment is a remedial procedure performed to save a tooth from extraction. A root canal is conducted when tooth decay reaches the tooth’s pulp tissue. The procedure involves going deep into the root chamber to clean the infection. The infected tooth is then sealed with a crown to prevent further decay.
As a condition that builds up slowly, root canals are often preceded by symptoms such as swellings, tooth sensitivity and severe pain. The procedure has over 95% success rate, except for rare cases where the sealant might break off, resulting in re-infection. Except for such rare cases, the procedure is overall safe and does not affect the tooth’s functioning or appearance in any way.
What To Expect:
Having an idea of what the procedure would look like before going in for the treatment can ease your nerves and reduce anxiety. Generally, you would be required to get an X-Ray done before your procedure to understand your tooth shape and degree of infection. However, to give you a holistic idea here’s what you can expect during and after the procedure.
During:
- Your root canal procedure will begin with administering local anaesthesia to numb the infected tooth. A small dental dam will also be placed to keep the tooth dry, clean and saliva-free during the procedure.
- Once your tooth is numb, a small hole will be drilled into the root chamber to expose the canals.
- Tools like root canal files will be used to perform a pulpectomy. This involves the removal of decayed tissues and pulp, bacteria and infection. The area will be thoroughly cleaned to remove any debris.
- Next, your tooth canal will be smoothened and reshaped before filling it with a temporary sealant. The doctor might place a temporary crown to protect the treated tooth if the damage is severe.
- During the final appointment, your doctor will replace the filling with a customised and permanent crown designed according to your tooth shape.
After:
- The local anaesthesia will take around 2-4 hours to wear off. However, you can continue with your daily routine without any severe discomfort.
- Avoid chewing hard food immediately after the procedure. In case you get a temporary crown, avoid engaging that tooth in any activity and chewing until your next appointment.
- You can experience mild sensitivity or pain after the anaesthesia wears off. Pain medications can be used to reduce pain. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe pain and swelling.
Alternatives:
Contrary to popular belief, root canals are no longer painful or uncomfortable procedures. Although there are not many alternatives to the procedure, you can consider a few options depending on the degree of your infection. Direct pulping and Pulpotomy are two treatment options you can discuss with your dentist. But remember, if you choose not to get a root canal and your tooth decay continues to grow, you’d have to get your decayed tooth extracted ultimately.
Final Thoughts:
Ready for your root canal appointment? It’s completely normal to feel jittery and nervous before the treatment. However, with a brief overview of the experience at your disposal, we hope we were able to clear most of your doubts.
Images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
