The procedure itself is not painful. The entire treatment area is numbed first, so you will not feel anything the dentist is doing other than light pressure. With local anesthetic, you will be fully awake. If desired, we offer nitrous oxide for all dental procedures including root canal therapy. We also offer oral sedation if you would like to be sedated for these services. It is completely dependent upon your comfort level and preferences.

A little soreness and minimal discomfort in the hours following the procedure is normal, as the anesthetic wears off. The tenderness should go away within a few days.

Root canal patients experience relief that is well worth any post-procedure discomfort. Unless the nerve had been completely destroyed by the infection, you are likely experiencing a lot of pain because of the inflamed and infected dental pulp. You may also experience severe tooth sensitivity. Dealing with these symptoms on a daily basis is difficult and taxing. Root canal treatment will restore your tooth to its full function.

The basic steps in the procedure are as follows:

• The tooth and surrounding area are completely numbed
• The tooth is isolated to keep it clean and free of saliva during the procedure
• The dentist carefully removes the infected tooth pulp using special dental tools
• The root canals are cleaned and re-shaped so that no bacteria linger there
• An antiseptic rinse is used as a final way of killing any remaining bacteria in the root canals
• The root canals are filled and sealed with a biocompatible material

In most cases, a temporary filling is placed to close the opening.

The filling is later removed and replaced with a permanent dental crown or another filling.

For any given dental problem, you likely have options. Our dentists are committed to making sure you know what those options are, whether you are faced with an advanced tooth infection or another dental problem. In general, we work with our patients to help them prevent severe tooth decay. Root canal treatment is often considered somewhat of a last resort, when decay has progressed beyond the enamel and dentin, into the pulp.

Each person’s situation is unique, but in general, tooth extraction would be one of the only alternatives to root canal treatment. The advancing infection needs to be stopped either way. In root canal treatment, the infected pulp and nerve tissue is removed, but the outer structure of the tooth is preserved.

In this way, a root canal makes it possible to keep your natural tooth. It may also be an option to remove the infected tissue and tooth entirely, and replace it with a dental implant, dental bridge, or dentures. Our dentists can determine if this is an option and help you make an informed decision about what to do.

A tooth crown is one option for restoring the tooth that has been treated. Another common option is a dental filling. Some type of restoration is required, in order to protect the tooth, and to rebuild its structure and appearance.

Crowns are often recommended for molars and premolars. These teeth in the back of your mouth are the workhorses when it comes to chewing, so they need a restoration with a lot of strength and durability. Incisors and other front teeth may need a crown or a filling. We will let you know what your options are for restoring your teeth as part of root canal treatment.

Healing up after the procedure is fairly easy and straightforward. Immediately after your root canal, your mouth will probably still be numb. It may remain so for a couple hours, so you may want to avoid eating anything until you’ve regained full sensation. If you are biting and chewing when your mouth is numb, it is very easy to bite your own lip or cheeks! It is normal to experience sensitivity or mild soreness in the treatment area once the numbness fades.

Most people are able to manage the discomfort with over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen. In less typical circumstances, you may be provided with a prescription for stronger pain medication, if necessary. If your tooth is sealed in the same appointment as it is cleaned, then you should be able to start chewing with that tooth as soon as the numbness fades. But if you received the root canal cleaning and a temporary filling, you should avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until the permanent filling or tooth crown is placed at your next appointment.

The temporary filling is not as durable, so chewing on that surface could cause discomfort or could break the filling. Overall, most people return to work, school, or other planned activities the same day as root canal treatment, and certainly within the next few days.