If you have a tooth with an infected or dead nerve, your dentist may recommend root canal treatment. Millions of people undergo this procedure each year to relieve pain and save their teeth.
Frequently, it’s because of a dental infection that causes toothaches and other signs that are not easily recognized as normal symptoms of a healthy tooth. But this can happen for many different reasons — and it can lead to a more serious oral health problem, such as gum disease or tooth loss.
A root canal is a dental procedure that’s usually recommended to remove infected pulp tissue inside a tooth, prevent the infection from spreading and to protect the healthy part of the tooth. The tooth’s pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and other tissues that are essential to its function.
Before you go through with a root canal, it’s important to understand the procedure and how it can help your teeth. It’s also important to know what happens after a root canal.
Preparing the Teeth
The first step in a root canal is to numb the area around the tooth using local anesthesia (like a shot). A rubber dam is placed over the tooth, to keep saliva out of it and stop it from swelling during the procedure.
Next, your dentist will drill an access hole into the top of the tooth and carefully clean out the tooth’s pulp. This is done with tiny instruments, which are inserted through the access hole.
After the tooth’s interior has been thoroughly cleaned, it’s sealed with a material called gutta percha. Sometimes the dentist will wait a week before sealing the tooth to give it time to heal.
Sealing the Tooth
The final step is to put a filling in the root canal to close the access hole. This is done with a rubber compound called gutta percha.
A temporary filling is then used to keep the tooth free from saliva between appointments and while it heals. A crown or another restoration will be used shortly after the root canal to protect it and make sure it stays strong.
Afterwards, you should be able to resume your usual activities and schedule. However, you should avoid chewing on the tooth until it’s permanently filled or a crown is placed over the top to strengthen it.
You should also continue with regular brushing and flossing to help keep the area clean. If you experience any bleeding or pain during your recovery, be sure to call your dentist for an appointment right away.
After a root canal, you may be a bit sore or stiff for a few days. This is normal. You can use over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), to manage your discomfort.
How Long Will the Process Take?
Depending on the amount of work needed, a root canal usually takes one to three visits. It’s also possible for your dentist to perform the procedure in just one visit, if there isn’t a lot of dental decay or other damage.
