Questions to Ask about Root Canal Therapy

Most patients will be referred to an endodontist by their general dentist if a root canal is recommended for treating the experienced symptoms. It is also possible to just go straight to an endodontist if you are experiencing the most common symptoms that are treated through a root canal. These symptoms include:

• Chronic, ongoing, and/or severe pain in a specific tooth
• Tenderness and swelling of the gums and facial area surrounding the affected tooth
• Increased sensitivity of the tooth when consuming food or beverages that are very hot or very cold
• Visible injury to the tooth

The localized pain surrounding the tooth is typically the most prominent indication that a root canal may be necessary, but your dentist or endodontist will confirm whether a root canal will be recommended for this particular case by having an x-ray completed.

While all procedures come with some risk for complications, root canals are incredibly safe and are the most effective and successful dental procedures available. Endodontists perform several root canals daily, and root canals are one of the most straightforward procedures that they offer. If a root canal is recommended, it will be the most effective method of stopping the infection to save the natural tooth. The complications and potential risks are vastly minimized in patients who can closely follow the recommended preparation and aftercare to make sure that they can completely heal and prevent further infection down the road. Not having the root canal will most likely result in the condition becoming far worse down the road as the infection continues to grow and cause significantly more pain, likely resulting in having to completely extract the natural tooth.

Typically, patients who have received a root canal will be encouraged to rest for the remainder of the day following the procedure but can return to work, school, or any other regular activities the following day. Of course, this will not be the recommendation for every single patient as some patients will take a bit longer to feel up for returning to their normal daily lives, as everyone recovers at their own pace. It is important that the recovery and healing period not be rushed though, as trying to speed up the process can lead to taking even longer. To aid in the recovery process, patients will need to closely follow all recommendations and take any prescribed medications to ensure that any potential risks are minimized. The use of cold packs on the mouth on top of the treated tooth will help to reduce swelling and pain to support an effective recovery while minimizing discomfort. Since each individual responds differently to procedures, patients should return to work, school, or any other daily activities as per the recommendations of their dentist or endodontist who provided the root canal.

Patients can expect to be fully recovered from a root canal within 7 to 10 days as that is how long it will take for the gums and tooth to completely heal, but will likely be feeling back to normal within a couple of days if they are following the provided aftercare instructions. Some pain is to be expected, which is why pain medication and anti-inflammatory medication should be prescribed that should be taken as recommended to provide the best effects. Other important instructions that will help to support a safe and speedy recovery following a root canal include”- avoiding extremely cold or hot liquids or food until the local anesthetic has been able to wear off completely and avoid foods that may cause inflammation or irritation such as anything spicy or consuming alcohol. It is common to experience slight swelling as well as tenderness or sensitivity while chewing on the side of the jaw that the root canal was completely on, so patients should try to chew mostly on the other side until the sensitivity wears down. If the pain persists for longer than 7 to 10 days, patients should contact their endodontist or health care provider.

The three main stages of a root canal treatment include the assessment and initial cleaning, a follow-up cleaning and medication, and the filling of the root canal. The first stage of root canal treatment requires an in-depth evaluation of the tooth of concern to make sure that the root canal is the best course of action, followed by cleaning to address the bacterial infection that led to a necessary root canal. Your dentist will often need to make an opening in the tooth to make sure that it is cleaned properly and is red from antibacterial solutions before applying medication to the area. This first step ends with the placement of a temporary filling to make sure that the infection does not get any worse. Step two can often take place on the same day as step one, but many dentists may opt to perform these steps 1 to 2 weeks apart. The follow-up cleaning and medication aspect of step two involves one more thorough cleaning of the tooth to make sure that all of the remaining bacteria are properly removed, which may involve some x-rays of the tooth to make sure that the entire tooth and its root are entirely addressed. More medication will then be applied to the tooth to diminish the infection. The third step of a root canal will typically occur around 4 to 6 weeks after the first two, as time is needed to ensure that the infection and bacteria are completely gone before the actual root canal is performed.

Patients can expect to be completely healed from their root canal procedure in under one week. Throughout the healing time, it is common to experience some mild discomfort or pain, but that can be easily managed with medication. Any discomfort or symptoms that last for longer than a week should be assessed by your dentist to ensure that everything is healing properly.

To ensure that the infection and symptoms associated with the infection are completely resolved before the procedure is performed, at least two separate visits spaced a few weeks apart are required. The area of the infection must be completely cleaned out of any remaining bacteria before resealing the tooth to avoid any infection from spreading or causing more damage to the tooth. The first visit will be used to properly clean the area, removing any infected part of the tooth that is required, and then prescribing antibiotics to help the body continue fighting off the infection until it is as clean as possible for the root canal.

To ensure that there is no longer a risk of infection, a root canal typically results in a fair amount of the tooth’s tissue being removed, which can more often than not heavily affect the integrity of the tooth. To make sure that the tooth can function normally, the integrity of the tooth is often restored through the use of a crown. A root canal can also result in the tooth becoming more sensitive, in which case a crown would help to protect it from elements that would cause sensitivity. Since the front teeth undergo less pressure from grinding and chewing, it is possible that root canals done to them will not require a crown for protection, but they are still commonly used to prevent noticeable discoloration.

Visit Ace Endodontics for effective and comprehensive root canal therapy. We are conveniently located at 11980 San Vicente Blvd Ste 900 Los Angeles, CA 90049. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Brentwood CA, Santa Monica CA, West Los Angeles CA, Beverly Hills CA, West Hollywood CA, Venice CA, Culver City CA, and surrounding areas.