You haven't visited your dentist for a long time and now that toot pain literally drags you there. And yes, you hear it right, you need a root canal. For people who are afraid of dental visits, this might be one of the scariest things they can experience, but the truth is the root canal procedure is not so scary as it sounds. However, even if you are all good for going to a dentist, it is still better to get informed about the procedure so you can feel more prepared once you sit down on that dental chair.
Root canal procedure is used to remove nerves from the tooth. It is quite painful but it is pain-relieving treatment. However, you will be given anaesthesia so you won't be able to feel pain at all. Are your knees shaking? Relax, here are all information will need before you step into the dental office for root canals treatment.
During the procedure, your dentist will clean the infected pulp. He or she will clean and shape the inside of your toot and then fill it and seal it. This will keep your toot protected from further problems. Depending on your individual condition, filling might be all you need but more often it is not enough. You can wear the filling for a few weeks but then you will need to take another appointment so your dentist will place a crown on your tooth. Once the crown is placed and you lose the discomfort, you can start to eat and chew comfortably.
The procedure of treating your root canals takes time and you will probably need to sit on that chair for a few hours. Once you take your place, here is what you can expect. First, you will be given local anaesthesia so you can feel comfortable. This will numb your teeth, gums but so does your tongue and skin so you will feel no pain at all. The dentist will remove the pulp from your tooth using specific dental tools and then fill the tooth with the right filling. If you need a crown, you might get a temporary one in the meantime.
Even if you think that you are completely done, you are not. Once you leave the dentist office you may think you will go back to normal biting and chewing but actually, you will need a little bit of time. Your dentist may recommend you to wait until your permanent crown is paced because chewing can lead to new cracks. Also, because of the anaesthesia your lips and gums might feel numb for a few hours after the treatment and once it has worn off you may start to feel pain, sensitivity or soreness. The pain will fade away from about 17-24 hours but you will feel the other discomforts for a couple of days. In case you experience swelling, uneven bite, bleeding, excessive pain, itching, fever, signs of infection, rash or other reaction make sure you contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Once your dentist decides you need a root canal, make sure you get it done as soon as possible. Prolonging your appointment can only make things worst. Receiving the right treatment will help you get back to normal chewing and living without pain.
