Root canal therapy has an unfair reputation; despite the horror stories you’ve heard or what you’ve seen depicted on television, a root canal isn’t painful or scary at all! In fact, the procedure is often the best way to salvage a compromised tooth while providing you with the pain relief you desperately need. Here’s more from your dentist in South Edmonton about what you can expect following a root canal so that you can go into the procedure with full confidence.
1. Initial Soreness & Sensitivity
The first thing that your dentist will do going into root canal therapy is numb your mouth, so you won’t feel an ounce of pain during the actual procedure. That said, afterwards it’s normal to experience some initial soreness and sensitivity, but this is nothing that warrants panicking. Root canal therapy is still technically a minor surgery, so your mouth is going to need some time to heal up.
That said, as your body undergoes this natural healing process, it’s important to closely follow the recovery guidelines provided by your dentist. You can take prescribed and over-the-counter pain relievers as needed to manage your pain and swelling, and you should also stick to soft foods that don’t agitate your mouth. Also be sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids!
2. Intermediary Recovery
After your root canal, in many instances your tooth will be sealed with a permanent or temporary filling. In any case, you should avoid chewing on the side of your mouth that underwent the procedure at first, until the final restoration has been completed. In the meantime, you can expect a thin layer of the filling to wear off and for the tooth to feel a little fragile and sensitive. After a few days, the initial swelling should die down. However, if things don’t change, you shouldn’t hesitate to get in touch with your dentist!
3. Permanent Restoration
Root canals are performed with your tooth’s long-term health in mind and the procedure is designed to fully eliminate the “root” of the problem. That said, to ensure that your tooth has the best possible odds moving forward, it needs to be fitted with a permanent restoration. Because a tooth that needs root canal therapy is often significantly decayed or damaged, a crown is one of the go-to restorations used to make the tooth function and appear normal once more. Moving forward, excellent oral hygiene will ensure that this permanent restoration assists your smile for several years to come.
Root canals are technically good news—after all, the procedure is giving your tooth a second chance at remaining a part of your smile. That said, knowing what to expect after root canal therapy will ensure that your recovery is as smooth and pain-free as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Juan Carlos Eguren received his dental doctorate from the Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia and has proudly served patients and families in the South Edmonton area for several years. His practice is thrilled to offer a wide range of services including root canal therapy. If you have any questions about root canal therapy or are suffering from severe tooth pain and need to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact the practice for assistance: 780-432-3430.