I’D RATHER HAVE A ROOT CANAL THAN…
Maybe you’ve heard or used the expression, “I’d rather get a root canal?” Thought of as something painful and unpleasant, root canals have gotten a bad rep over the years. While a root canal isn’t a procedure you should want, but modern techniques and advanced tools along with sedation methods make root canal therapy much quicker and easier. If you’re skipping appointments at the dentist even though you have severe tooth pain or signs of an infection for fear of being told you have to get a root canal, you might have to learn more about the modern root canal so you feel more comfortable contacting your dental practice in Cary, NC to schedule a consultation. Our team of dental professionals at DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads understands you could be feeling uneasy about the possibility of getting a root canal. It is our top aim to help you feel comfortable with the therapy process so we can address your toothache and restore your oral health. If you believe you may need a root canal, read below to find answers to the top questions you may not know about root canal therapy.
WHO NEEDS A ROOT CANAL?
One road to a root canal starts with a normal dental cavity. The decay in the exterior portion of a tooth can be easily treated with a tooth-colored filling. However, if you aren’t going to the dentist twice a year or you delayed treatment, the decay may spread from your enamel to the interior section of the tooth. If the soft pulp inside your tooth gets infected, you will need a root canal to clean it all out. Even though you may not be happy with the notion of getting a root canal, this very effective therapy can save the tooth. Without proper treatment, the infection could turn into a tooth abscess or spread to your jawbone, gums, and bloodstream, which may need a tooth extraction and other remedies. In the end, a root canal is far easier and less expensive than having to have the tooth extracted or a full-body infection.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I MIGHT NEED A ROOT CANAL?
As soon as an infection gets into the pulp of your tooth, you may see that your teeth are more temperature sensitive, so it’s painful to drink hot beverages or eat cold ice cream. Other symptoms include a chronic pain or ache in the affected tooth, inflamed gum tissue around the tooth, and the tooth may change colors. If you observe any of these symptoms, then you need to visit your dentist right away for an oral health evaluation. Your dentist will use digital x-rays and other diagnostic tools to find out if the pulp is infected as well as the magnitude of your condition. As soon as you have been diagnosed, your dentist will discuss your treatment plan, which might incorporate an extraction or root canal.
WHAT DOES THE PROCEDURE INVOLVE?
After local anesthesia has been administered to numb the area near the affected tooth along with any other needed kind of sedation, your dentist can begin your root canal procedure. The decay will first be taken out of the enamel before a tiny hole is made to allow access to the inner chamber of the tooth. The infected pulp will be removed and then the chamber will be rinsed and disinfected before a special material is used to fill and seal the empty tooth. Typically, a dental crown will be placed over the treated tooth for strength and protection. At DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads, we use custom-made crowns that will blend with the shape and color of your surrounding teeth so your smile looks seamless.
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY LIKE AFTER THE TREATMENT?
Immediately after your appointment, your mouth will likely feel a little sore and swollen, and that means you ought to plan to go home for the remainder of the day. Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics or pain medication to help through your recovery. It’s crucial that you get back to your oral hygiene routine right away to keep your mouth clean and avoid another infection, but you’ll want to brush and floss carefully around the treated tooth for a few days. For food, you may want to stick to liquids (like protein shakes and smoothies) or soft foods (oatmeal, eggs, bananas, and avocados) at a moderate temperature (not too hot, not too cold, but just right) for the first few days after your root canal treatment. Avoid hard and sticky foods like taffy, gum, and ice cubes since these can harm or pull off the crown covering the treated tooth. Continue visiting your dentist in Cary, NC at least twice every year for professional cleanings and oral health exams so your dentist can assess the state of your tooth after a root canal and determine when the crown needs to be repaired or replaced.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE INFECTION COMES BACK?
If it is properly performed, a root canal should be successful at removing the infection and saving the tooth. Using good oral care, you should be able to use the treated tooth for a long time. However, a crack in your tooth or other factors can cause a second infection in the tooth. If this happens, a second root canal (also known as an endodontic retreatment) could be needed. This is the reason why it’s important to follow all instructions from your dentist after your root canal so your mouth heals properly. You should also continue to go to appointments two times a year so your dentist can check for reinfection and other oral health problems.
I’M AFRAID OF THE DENTIST. CAN YOU HELP?
Without treatment, an infected tooth can become very painful. If you’re trapped between a painful toothache and the fear you have of going to the dentist (dentophobia) to get it treated, we have good news — you don’t have to suffer pain or wrestle with dental issues thanks to sedation methods. DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads offers many different types and levels of sedation dentistry to make sure you remain calm during your root canal therapy. Nitrous oxide gas or oral-conscious medication might be mixed with intravenous (IV) sedation based on your procedure and personal needs. And after your root canal is finished, ask about getting sedation during your regular visits. Our team works with Cary, NC patients to help make it easier for them to return for bi-annual professional cleanings and annual oral health assessments so problems can be treated or prevented before they require a longer procedure, like a root canal.
A ROOT CANAL THERAPY MAY SAVE YOUR SMILE
Though you may not be happy to get a root canal, it can save your oral health to receive one. In case you have any symptoms of an infected tooth, schedule an oral health evaluation and consultation with a dentist in Cary, NC. If you have dental fears or anxiety, DentalWorks – Cary Crossroads offers different types of sedation dentistry to keep you calm and relaxed during your examination and root canal therapy. We use state-of-the-art equipment and modern techniques when performing root canals to take out the infection, preserve your tooth, and keep your smile beautiful and healthy.
