Elevation Endodontics | Endodontist in CO Springs
It’s entirely normal for patients to feel nervous about their upcoming root canals. Unfortunately, root canals are renowned for being painful, stressful, and uncomfortable. But you’ll be relieved to find it is far from the truth. Most people find the experience of having root canal treatment much more straightforward than anticipated and the best way to get relief from the discomfort of a damaged, infected tooth.
Root canals relieve dental pain, so our patients often leave the practice feeling better than when they came in. If you’re unsure what to expect from root canal therapy, your endodontist explains the process below.
How Much Pain Should I Expect During a Root Canal?
Root canal treatments address inflamed or infected pulp tissue, which causes severe toothaches. Your endodontist in CO Springs can alleviate this pain completely with endodontic therapy procedures. For many, getting a root canal is no more painful than filling a cavity, thanks to local anesthetic and modern endodontic techniques.
Most people are comfortable throughout their procedure, feeling pressure and movement but not pain.
Performing a root canal starts by using local anesthesia to numb the affected tooth and the tissue surrounding it. The tooth is opened to access the dental pulp to remove it. The chamber and roots are shaped, cleaned, and disinfected, then filled with a rubber-like material called gutta percha to seal the tooth and prevent infection. Your endodontist will restore the tooth using a permanent crown or dental filling.
Patients commonly experience immediate relief upon leaving our practice. Despite the myths and rumors about root canal treatment, it is a relatively quick and comfortable procedure that saves natural teeth from needing extraction and replacement.
Dental Anxiety? Consider Sedation!
Sometimes numbing alone may not be enough to give you peace of mind. Depending on your level of anxiety, Drs. Kersten and McKissock, your endodontist in CO Springs, may offer sedation dentistry.
With sedation and numbing, you will not have to worry about pain, fear, or anxiety throughout your procedure.
Will I Have Pain After a Root Canal?
As the local anesthetic wears off after your root canal procedure, you may experience some sensitivity and tenderness. It is especially true if the tooth was infected or painful before your root canal treatment.
But this is minor and usually goes away within a day or two. Just take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen, and you can immediately return to your daily life. There’s no lengthy recovery process.
After your dental procedure, take it easy and eat softer foods and avoid chewing with the treated tooth until the discomfort is over. Sensitivity usually lasts for a few days after root canal therapy. It would be best to continue with work, school, and other activities as usual.
Call Elevation Endodontics | Endodontist in Co Springs
If you think your tooth is infected, we are here to help. The sooner you get endodontic treatment, the more likely we can save your tooth from being removed, and the sooner you’ll relieve your pain. Contact Elevation Endodontics today to schedule an appointment for a consultation with our endodontist in CO Springs, Colorado.
