Healing Tips After Your Dentist Recommends Root Canal Therapy

Maria Marzo DDS • Sep 01, 2017

Root canal therapy is a treatment that repairs damage inside the tooth, where the tooth pulp and tissues are found. If your dentist recommends a root canal, then it may be the only treatment that can save your tooth. Root canal treatment is generally effective, with 89% of patients satisfied with the results of the treatment. To recover from the procedure much quicker, dentists recommend the following tips.

The Importance of An Early Evaluation By Your Dentist

Three things are important when the damaged tooth is evaluated. The dentist determines if there is any infection, whether the nerve is exposed, and if there is any live nerve tissue inside the tooth. An infection or abscess will not go away on its own. If it is not treated, it will eventually infect the bone around the tooth and affect more bone and tissue in the mouth.

The dentist will not know until your tooth is examined whether the therapy will involve more than one visit. If another appointment is needed, a temporary filling is used for the short term. You will need to be careful not to bite down hard while eating. Until the tooth is fully restored, it will not be as strong as your other teeth.

Go easy on brushing and flossing. The tooth should be brushed gently and flossed with care if you are sure the floss won’t catch on the tooth.

Tips For Faster Healing

Most people recover from root canal therapy with minimum discomfort. If there is any sensitivity afterward, it is likely due to inflammation in the tooth before the treatment. The purpose of the root canal is to remove the pulp and the nerve from the tooth. This can also produce a minor irritation which soon goes away.

Your dentist in Corning, NY may recommend taking aspirin or Ibuprofen, which will resolve the discomfort within a few days. If stronger pain medication is prescribed, be sure not to drive before determining how the medication affects you.

After treatment, your tooth will no longer be sensitive to hot or cold food or liquids or other types of food. Your dentist will want to see you again so that a permanent crown or filling can be done. This is necessary to seal the tooth so that bacteria do not have a chance to grow in the canal.

Root canal therapy generally does not cause pain, but many still worry about experiencing pain during the procedure. Any discomfort you experience is due to the infected tooth. With root canal treatment, the cause of pain can be eliminated.

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