Have you recently heard about root canal treatment, but aren’t sure what exactly it is? Or are you experiencing some tooth pain that you believe might be the result of a root canal treatment? Don’t panic! The information in this guide will help you learn about root canals, the causes of teeth pain, and how long to do root canal procedure. Let’s get started!
Find the right dentist
When it comes to root canals, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Researching your dentist or endodontist is an important part of choosing someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in their craft. A good first step is checking if they belong to one of these associations: American Association of Endodontists (AAE), American Dental Association (ADA), International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) or American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). If your dentist does not belong to any association, don’t panic. Find out how long they have been practicing, what kind of education they have received and how many root canals they have performed. Don’t hesitate to ask your dentist questions, either!
What are the risks?
The success of your emergency root canal depends on how closely you follow your dentist’s instructions and how diligent you are with proper home care. If, for example, you decide to eat or drink something that contains caffeine, smoking could be detrimental to your healing process. And if you don’t cleanse your mouth regularly—twice daily is best—your chances of infection increase. Whatever tooth-related dental work is done on one side of your mouth will have an effect on other teeth as well; if a cavity or another condition calls for extensive cosmetic surgery, talk to your dentist about whether it would be wise to conduct some restorative work at once.
How Long Does it Take?
Root canal treatment is a complex dental procedure that can take several hours to complete. This is because your dentist will use many different tools and techniques in order to clean out any infection and repair nerve damage as well as save as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. If you’re curious how long it takes for a root canal treatment, consider getting more detailed information on what exactly will happen during your appointment. After learning more, you might be surprised at just how quick and painless root canal treatment really is!
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of a root canal treatment varies from one dentist to another. The only way to get an accurate estimate is by visiting your dentist and requesting for an examination, which will help them assess if a root canal treatment is needed. During your exam, they’ll provide you with their best estimate of how much it will cost; but remember that due to fluctuating prices, treatments may sometimes be more or less expensive than predicted.
If you want to find out how much a root canal treatment costs in your area, simply ask around or visit several dental clinics in your area. However, bear in mind that not all dentists offer root canals—some might refer you to specialists instead. If there are no dentists near you who offer root canals, then consider contacting local dental schools—they often have student dentists who perform these procedures at reduced rates. Another option is to search online for dental specialists in your area and contact them directly via phone or email. If possible, ask friends and family members who have had similar procedures done before so they can give you a ballpark figure on what it costs locally.
How Do I Prepare for a Root Canal?
Despite how unpleasant it sounds, getting a root canal is much less scary than it used to be. Because of technological advances and increased dental research, root canals are more painless and more effective than ever before. The first step in preparing for your root canal is calling your dentist to schedule an appointment. If you have very busy work or school schedule, consider taking some time off so that you can go through treatment without stress. Your doctor will need to do some preparation work as well; don’t be surprised if they recommend taking antibiotics prior to your procedure (especially if you have periodontal disease). This is standard operating procedure these days, since bacteria from your mouth could infect the tooth during treatment and spread throughout your body. Antibiotics can help prevent that from happening.
What Happens During the Procedure?
During your root canal treatment, your dentist will remove all of the damaged pulp from inside of your tooth. He or she will then clean and shape your root canal to ensure that it can still hold onto an artificial crown if necessary. Finally, he or she will fill it with special medicated filling material. In some cases, additional procedures may be needed to make sure that infection is gone for good. You’ll have time between appointments to discuss any questions or concerns with your dentist as well as get any x-rays or treatment that may be necessary before your next appointment.
What Happens Afterward?
Just because your procedure is over doesn’t mean it’s time to kick back and relax. From here, there are still several things you need to do before resuming normal activity. If your dentist used local anesthesia, you will probably feel no pain when leaving the office. However, once it wears off, soreness will set in. Take some ibuprofen before going home so that you can enjoy pain-free sleep that night. The day after your procedure will be somewhat uncomfortable as well. You may experience sensitivity to hot or cold foods, and even minor gum chewing may make your jaw sore.
Will I Feel Pain Afterward?
The root canal procedure is relatively painless, and it’s usually very easy to put yourself in a more comfortable position while you’re receiving it. Most patients fall asleep during their treatment, as there are no nerves in your mouth that receive signals from your teeth. This means that your dentist can work on one tooth at a time without causing any discomfort. Make sure to drink plenty of water after getting your treatment—you’ll want to stay hydrated for up to 24 hours afterward!
