The Root Canal Procedure: How It Works and What to Expect
A root canal is one of the scariest dental procedures ever, and a large part of this is because many people don’t really understand what goes on during the procedure. In this post, we will explain exactly how a root canal procedure works and what you should expect if you have to get it done.
How to Tell If You Need a Root Canal
The only definite way to find out if you need a root canal is to ask your dentist. They will make a suitable recommendation only after giving you a thorough dental check-up. Many patients in Sydney experience signs of tooth decay but just choose to ignore it. It is only when the problem has become really bad that they will visit the dentist. By then, they might have no other option but to get the tooth extracted because it has become so damaged.
If you want to save your teeth, you should come to the dentist the moment you experience symptoms like intense tooth pain, extra sensitivity to temperature, tooth discolouration, or swollen gums. You should also see an emergency dentist if you have suffered trauma to the mouth, or if there is pus in your gums, and other similarly serious symptoms. It is likely that you might need a root canal at this point, but only the dentist can tell for sure.
The Root Canal Procedure
The first thing that your dentist will do during your visit is to listen to your symptoms and check your mouth thoroughly. Once the need for a root canal has been confirmed, the dentist will prepare the area by applying an anaesthetic around the affected tooth.
When the numbness is complete, the dentist will then cut through the crown to get to the pulp chamber. They will remove all the pus, unhealthy pulp, and infection. They will then fill in the hollowed out areas and cover the tooth with a dental crown, making it look and feel just like new.
On average, it will take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete a root canal procedure for a single tooth. If you are getting more than one tooth done, or if your tooth is larger, it might take considerably longer.
Oral Care after a Root Canal
When the anaesthesia wears off after the procedure, it’s perfectly normal to experience slight pain in the area. This typically lasts for a few days but will gradually dissipate as the site heals. While recovering, you should stay away from foods that require forceful chewing, focusing more on soups, juices and soft foods.
There are over-the-counter medications that you can take to help reduce the pain. Your dentist will probably give you a prescription before you leave.
Now that you know a bit more about root canals, it would be much easier to overcome your fear of them. And if you are ready to go in for the treatment, just call us at Marsfield Dental Care or book online for an appointment. We will make sure to answer all your enquiries and we guarantee that with our experienced dentists, you will get the best root canal treatment possible.
