Therapy Procedure
Once you come in for your root canal, a local anesthetic will be applied. A root canal is a surgical procedure, so we do what we can to prevent pain. If you have questions about dental sedation, please let us know. We are happy to provide sedation dentistry services to our patients who undergo root canal treatment.
The dentist will begin by numbing the area and cleaning and drying your teeth. The doctor will then open the tooth using a small dental drill. Normally the doctor will enter from the crown of the tooth. Once the tooth is exposed, the pulp will be drained, dried, and sealed off again to ensure no lasting bacteria can enter the tooth again. The sealing portion of the procedure is similar to a dental filling, and we will use the same kind of material. Once the tooth is sealed, the process is complete.
After your root canal, it is natural to experience some sensitivity in your mouth. The doctor may prescribe you some pain medication to help with any uncomfortable feelings that you may deal with. Ice is recommended to help with swelling. You should only eat soft foods, and you can brush your teeth as you normally would, just being extra gentle around the tooth that received the root canal.