Getting A Root Canal: What To Expect Before, During, And After This Procedure

Root canals have become arguably the most feared dental procedure. This is because the way this procedure has been portrayed in movies and on television shows has led many people to believe that this procedure will inevitably cause some of the worst pain they have ever felt. However, the truth is, this procedure is designed to help eliminate pain and is not nearly as scary as many people fear. Thankfully, taking the time to learn more about what you should expect before, during, and after your root canal can help to ease any anxiety that you may be feeling.

What To Expect Before Your Root Canal

When visiting your dentist as a result of tooth pain, your dentist may recommend a root canal in order to eliminate this pain, especially if this pain is the result of a decaying tooth. At this time, your dentist will prescribe antibiotics in order to eliminate any infection in the tooth so that this infection is not spread during the root canal procedure. They may also prescribe mild pain killers in order to help prevent your tooth pain from returning until after the root canal can be completed. Finally, they will schedule another appointment during which the actual root canal will take place. This appointment will typically be approximately 7-10 days in the future so that you will have time to complete your entire course of antibiotics.

What To Expect During Your Root Canal

In order to prevent you from feeling any pain or discomfort during this procedure, your dentist will begin by applying a topical anesthetic to your gums in order to numb the area. This topical treatment will then be followed by an injection of local anesthesia. This anesthesia will prevent you from feeling any pain for several hours.

Once the area is completely numb, your dentist will drill into the affected tooth and remove the pulp from inside the tooth using small metal files. Removing this pulp will permanently eliminate any pain in the tooth.

After removing the pulp from your tooth, your dentist will fill the tooth in with a dental cement. Finally, a crown will be placed over the treated tooth in order to protect it from damage.

What To Expect After Your Root Canal

A few hours after the procedure is complete, the local anesthesia that was used to numb the area will begin to wear off. At this time, you may feel a minimal amount of pain and discomfort. This discomfort is typically attributed to the swelling which can result from a root canal. In most cases, this pain can be managed using over-the-counter pain killers and should wear off within a few days.