Most patients' recovery from a root canal takes only a few days. You may experience some minor soreness for 24 to 48 hours after your procedure, but over-the-counter pain medications should be enough to control it.

Why Are Root Canals Necessary?

A root canal is a routine, non-surgical procedure that treats inflammation or infection in the pulp inside the tooth. Teeth may need root canals due to deep decay, breakage, other trauma, or interior infections.

Signs that You Could Need a Root Canal

• Severe pain when you bite or chew on a tooth
• Swollen gums
• Pimples on the gums
• Pus along the gum line
• Lingering sensitivity to heat and cold, even after removing the hot or cold item
• Cracked or chipped tooth

Benefits of a Root Canal

Relieve Pain

The pain caused by a tooth needing a root canal can be severe. It may make it hard for you to eat, sleep, and relax. The pain will not go away without treatment.

Save Your Natural Tooth

In most cases, a root canal can protect your natural tooth from extraction. Treating the existing tooth enables the root to stay in place, giving chewing stimulation to the jawbone and keeping it healthy. An extracted tooth could also cause problems with alignment.

Prevent Infection from Spreading

If you do not get a root canal when you need it, the infection could become an abscess and spread to other teeth and parts of your body. To avoid a systemic infection, treat your tooth as soon as possible.

The Root Canal Procedure

Many patients are wary of receiving root canal treatment, but root canals are now comfortable. The dentist opens the tooth's crown to access the infected pulp inside. To remove the inflamed pulp, the dentist uses special files to clean and reshape the inside of the root canals.

At this point, the dentist may place an antibiotic and wait for the infection to resolve before continuing the procedure. This step may take a few days.

The dentist proceeds by filling the tooth with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha. This material seals out contaminants and protects the tooth from reinfection.

After resealing the tooth, the dentist places a filling or temporary crown to protect it. After the permanent crown returns from the dental lab, your restoration will be complete.

Post-Procedure Care

Avoid biting down or chewing on the treated tooth until the final restoration is complete. After your root canal, you may want to take over-the-counter pain medication. However, your discomfort should be minor. Call us if you have severe discomfort, and we will quickly address your issue.

Call Oakdale Dental

If you are experiencing any symptoms that indicate you may need a root canal, don't wait to call us. A root canal can relieve your discomfort and preserve your natural tooth. Call our Holyoke, MA office at 413-536-1782 to schedule an appointment today.