Sure, you’ve heard of a root canal before, but do you know what is involved with this procedure? Most people do not. So, your first question should be, “What exactly is a root canal.” A root canal is a dental procedure where our dentists have recommended the removal of the pulp part of a tooth to repair a decaying or infected tooth.

The movies would tell you that a root canal is one of the most painful procedures you can experience. This misunderstanding often pushes people to avoid dental care and root canals altogether. But the truth will put you at ease! Many patients will only experience mild discomfort or pain during their root canal at our practice. Like with other dental work, the area will be tender, and you may feel some pain afterward. However, this can usually be treated with over-the-counter pain medications.

At our clinic, we use conscious sedation during our root canals. This means we’ll use Novocain or another topical anesthetic to numb the area around your tooth. You will be completely awake during the procedure and will only feel mild discomfort or pain. Being awake allows us to check in with you to make sure you are doing okay during the procedure. If you feel like this will still make you very anxious, talk to our doctor about other sedations that may be available to help you relax during a root canal.

During the consultation before the procedure, our doctors will ask you about any medications you are currently taking. Some medicines may interfere with the sedation we give you and vice versa. We want to avoid any adverse drug interactions. After the root canal, you may be given an antibiotic if there was a previous infection, to prevent any additional infections. Prescription pain medication may be needed, but most patients will tolerate any discomfort with standard over-the-counter pain medication.

Before you leave our practice, our staff will give you detailed aftercare instructions to prevent any reinfections and to speed up your recovery. At first, you will want to avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the root canal is located. That area will be very tender, and any pressure can be painful. It will also help you avoid getting another infection and lower the chances of breaking your newly fragile tooth. You will want to stick to your regular oral health routines, with brushing and flossing.

Finally, you will want to monitor the area for signs of a tooth infection. Symptoms of a tooth infection include excessive swelling and tenderness with ongoing pain to food or drinks. You may also find a lump on your gums, a strong-smelling odor from your mouth, and your tooth may darken. Our doctors will let you know how much swelling and pain should be expected and what levels it needs to be at to be concerned about infection. If you feel that your root canal has become infected, call us right away!

Generally, people return to work the next day after a root canal. However, if pain medications are prescribed, you may want to check with your doctor and employer to make sure this does not impair your ability to work safely. If it does, it may be a few more days until strong pain medication is no longer needed.

Do you have additional questions about root canals? Contact Ideal Endodontics today, and our friendly staff will be more than happy to assist you!