Root canal therapy is a common procedure performed daily in most dental offices and is used to treat severe decay, often saving the tooth from extraction. In this article, we discuss signs you may need a root canal and describe the procedure and recovery.
Signs You May Need a Root Canal
Root canal therapy is an endodontic procedure used to treat severe tooth decay that spreads to the inner pulp of your tooth and can not be sufficiently resolved with a dental filling. Signs that you have an advanced tooth infection and might require root canal therapy include:
- Severe toothache and tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth or bad breath that does not go away after brushing and flossing your teeth
- Changed appearance of the tooth (brown or black areas on the enamel)
- Pain when touching the tooth or chewing food
- Swollen gums around the tooth or swelling of the jaw and face
- Cysts or pimples on the gums surrounding the tooth
- Toothache that spreads to the neck, ears, or head
- Enlarged lymph nodes or fever in combination with other symptoms of tooth decay
The number and severity of the symptoms can differ from patient to patient and depend on the complexity of the case. We recommend seeing your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the symptoms we list above.
If severe tooth decay is left untreated, it might lead to tooth loss, the spread of infection to the surrounding teeth and gum tissue, and even life-threatening abscesses. In cases of acute pain, accompanied by fever and difficulty swallowing or breathing, seek an appointment with an emergency dentist immediately.
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy always starts with your doctor administering a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area and block pain. In most cases, a local anesthetic is sufficient to make the procedure painless and comfortable.
Once the anesthetic takes effect, your doctor will access the inner chamber of your tooth through its crown to remove the infected pulp and clean the canals. Then, the canals are filled with special biocompatible material, and the tooth is sealed.
In some cases, a dental crown may be placed after root canal therapy to reinforce the tooth structure weakened by infection and protect it from further damage.
How Long Is The Recovery After a Root Canal
Typically, recovery after root canal therapy takes 7 to 10 days. Many patients report significant pain relief right after the procedure, compared to the pain of an infected toothache.
During your recovery, you can expect mild tooth and gum sensitivity to hot and cold beverages, mild pain, and swelling in the gums around the treated tooth or in the face and jaw. Typically, the discomfort after a root canal can be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers and cold compresses applied to the face for 20 minutes with 30-minute breaks between applications.
In some cases, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics to prevent reinfection of the tooth. In this case, we recommend taking the entire course according to the schedule. Additionally, it is always necessary to switch to soft foods, avoid strenuous activities, smoking, and alcohol, and maintain good oral hygiene during your recovery period.
Get Root Canal Therapy at Maz Endodontics
If you have signs of tooth decay, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist at Maz Endodontics today. Our specialists will conduct comprehensive diagnostics of your oral health to offer you a reliable and effective solution. We are looking forward to your visit.