A root canal is a serious dental procedure that removes the infected or inflamed pulp of a tooth.
These days (thanks to modern technology!), a root canal procedure isn’t as daunting as it had been originally perceived to be. It is generally painless as anesthesia is applied by the dentist to numb your tooth.
A root canal treated tooth may last between 8-10 years, or even a lifetime if proper oral maintenance is applied.
As mentioned previously, a root canal treatment is generally painless because of the anesthesia. Should there be any pain, it’s usually mild and there’s a bit of discomfort as your tooth adjusts, and will only last for 3 days at the most. However, if the pain goes beyond the said time frame, it’s best seek for your dentist’s advice.
Any anti-inflammatory medications will do like Aspirin or Ibuprofen, which is highly recommended.
Not necessarily, but a dental crown can help a lot with tooth reinforcement which is vital for your tooth’s health and functionality.
A root canal treatment offers a lot of benefits, such as getting to keep your set of teeth healthy, where it can prevent the further spread of infection coming from the decaying tooth. Moreover, it’ll also get rid of the toothache as well, making your sets of pearly whites more presentable, while at the same time, it can save the aching or infected tooth from completely deteriorating.
Some alternatives to root canal treatment are as follow:
There might be some mild discomfort and pain as well as swelling of the mouth. You may also experience uneven biting for a few days.
As a root canal is a serious dental procedure, here are some of things that you should prevent from doing before undergoing your treatment:
Avoid any form of alcohol intake. It may add to feelings of uneasiness and discomfort during the procedure. Painkillers and antibiotics are unnecessary, so it’s best to avoid them as well prior to the treatment. They may have adverse drug interaction with local anesthesia.
More often than not, root canal patients are only put under anesthesia for the procedure, so putting a patient to sleep for this treatment is not common, unless it is extremely needed to calm severe fear and anxiety that can disrupt the treatment process. You may coordinate with your dentist about it.
Recovery from a root canal treatment takes about 24 hours. After which, you’d be ready to go about your daily routine and activities.
Yes! You can eat right after a procedure, but it’s important to let the numbness subside so that the uneven biting occurrence would lessen too, because you might end up biting the inside of your cheek or your tongue. Moreover, there are foods to avoid, which we shall answer on the next question below!
Steer clear of crunchy, hard solid foods such as carrots, apples, biscuits, and corn cob to name a few, as well as chewy, sticky foods like bread, gum, and meat. Make sure to also be careful with your drinks, especially hot ones as your newly treated tooth may still be sensitive from the procedure.
You’ll know it’s time for a root canal treatment if you experience or have any of these things:
You need to be extra wary of your deteriorating teeth. Watch out for the signs we have listed above. As soon as you can start feeling some discomfort frequently, it is best to visit your dentist and have it assessed so it can be actioned promptly.
As for the restrictions, it is important NOT to take alcohol under any circumstances as it may pose some risk during your procedure, such as added discomfort and adverse drug interaction.
The infected or inflamed pulp - which is the small tissue located in the center of your tooth - and the never of the root of the tooth are removed. After which, the dentist will shape and cleanse the root canal before it is applied with filling and sealed. For the finishing touch, a dental crown will be cemented over the root canal for added protection and restoration purposes.
Generally, a root canal treatment takes about 2 visits, though this may depend on your dentist’s assessment of your oral health needs as well.
Don’t eat hard foods until the numbness subsides. Consistently brush your teeth after every meal. Don’t take alcohol or any high-sugar foods & drinks. It is also highly recommended for you to visit your dentist regularly especially when they ask you to come by for follow-ups and monitoring.
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