What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a dental treatment for eliminating bacteria from the infected root canal of a tooth and, prevent reinfection of the tooth and save the natural tooth. The dentist will remove the inflamed or infected pulp of the inside of a tooth, carefully clean and disinfect the tooth, then fill and seal it.

Why Is A Root Canal Necessary?

Endodontic therapy is a common dental procedure when a patient has a cracked tooth, a very deep cavity, or problems from a previous filling. If a tooth is severely sensitive to hot and cold, the dentist will sometimes recommend a root canal.

Does a Root Canal Hurt?

The myth is that this procedure is very painful. There are unique circumstances, but in reality, most endodontic therapies involve minimal pain for the patient. The root canal procedure is normally done with local anesthesia and is no more painful than other standard dental procedures. However, after the procedure, the area will be numb for a while and can be a little painful. Your dentist may prescribe you medicine or suggest an over-the-counter pain killer.

Recovery After A Root Canal

After the procedure, the local anesthetic will start to wear off and you might experience mild pain and sensitivity. While uncomfortable, any pain and sensitivity following endodontic therapy should only last a few days. You can take over-the-counter pain medications for relief. Check with your doctor before taking these medications to make sure they don’t interact with the medications you already take. You will want to avoid certain foods and chewing with the affected teeth for several days as the area heals.

Root canals have become routine procedures and can be done in a single visit to our office. Please contact our Littleton dental office if you would like to set up a consultation. We look forward to seeing you again soon.