When bacteria are introduced into the pulp found inside of your tooth, it can cause severe infection and tooth decay. This bacteria can invade your tooth because of cracks, tooth trauma, or an untreated cavity. Root canal treatments are necessary to treat this infection, remove the bacteria, and seal your tooth to ensure bacteria cannot re-enter. It is also essential to help alleviate the pain caused by an infected and inflamed pulp.

During a root canal procedure, you will either be given a local anesthetic, oral sedative, or nitrous oxide. The type of anesthetic or medication you need will be dependent on the complexity of the procedure as well as personal preferences. Talk to your specialist about different pain management options during your root canal consultation. After your root canal procedure, we recommend over-the-counter pain medication such as Ibuprofen to relieve any mild pain throughout recovery. To soothe any inflammation, gently apply an ice pack to your cheek.

After you get a root canal, it’s important to avoid chewy and hard foods such as candy, gum, nuts, and ice. This will protect your temporary filling from coming off and prevent damage to the tooth. These types of foods can also cause pain during the recovery process. Once your permanent dental crown has been placed and settled into your mouth, you can return to your normal eating habits.

A root canal treatment typically takes anywhere from about half an hour to an hour to fully complete. This procedure often has to be completed in two separate visits. The first will be dedicated to opening the crown and carefully removing the damaged and infected pulp. The second visit will focus on thoroughly cleaning out the inside of your tooth and temporarily sealing it to prevent infections.

Your initial root canal consult appointment will involve a thorough assessment and evaluation of your teeth and gums. Your endodontist will first need information about your medical and dental history. They will then need to run a series of tests and possible x-rays. Once they have formally assessed the damage and decay of your teeth, they will then talk through all possible treatment options. During this consultation, you can expect to schedule your root canal procedure and discuss all pre-procedure instructions.

The main cause of a root canal system infection is an invasion of bacteria that travels from your mouth into the inside of your tooth. This can occur because of tooth trauma, cavities left untreated for too long, tooth decay, leaky fillings, cracks, and any other tooth openings.

If you have any additional questions about root canal treatment in Woodbridge, VA, please schedule an appointment with one of our endodontists. Our team of respected dental professionals believes that everyone deserves to live a life free of tooth and gum pain. Severe tooth pain can cause a major disruption in your everyday life. Scheduling the appropriate procedure and seeking the care you deserve as soon as possible can prevent further decay damage, and the need for more advanced, invasive treatments. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3102 Golansky Blvd, Suite 101, Woodbridge, VA 22192. We serve patients from Woodbridge VA, Washington DC, Arlington VA, Lorton VA, Manassas VA, Springfield VA, Alexandria VA, and Silver Spring MD. Please contact Ideal Endodontics for your root canal needs right away!