Root canal therapy may be one of the most dreaded dental procedures out there, but unfortunately its bad rap is due to a whole lot of myth and misinformation. Root canals don’t actually cause pain; the pain you may feel is from the infection itself. With root canal treatment, the Parkside Family Dental team can rid your tooth of the infection, alleviate your pain, and prevent you from having to get a tooth extraction.
What Is a Root Canal?
Getting a root canal is a routine procedure that’s often compared to getting a simple tooth filling. We’ll make a small hole in your tooth, through which we’ll remove any of the decayed tissue. Essentially, we’re cleaning out the root canals. Once that’s done, we’ll seal the tooth to keep it safe from further infection, and we’ll often complete the procedure by adding a restoration on top (like a dental crown) for added protection and strength.
What Causes You to Need Root Canal Treatment?
Root canal treatment is necessary whenever the inner tissue or pulp of a tooth becomes severely infected. There are a variety of situations that could cause this. Severe decay, large filling(s), or a crack or a chip in your tooth could all potentially open the door to a severe infection. Getting repeated dental procedures on the same tooth and suffering a dental trauma are two other main causes.
Symptoms to Look Out For
Wonder how you’ll know if you need a root canal procedure? Different people can experience different symptoms, but here are some common signs to look out for:
- Tooth pain
- Tooth sensitivity with hot or cold food/beverages
- Tooth discoloration
- Red or swollen gums
- Pimple-like bump near a tooth
If you notice any of those symptoms, we recommend you schedule an appointment at our office so we can determine whether a root canal is necessary and act quickly.
Don’t wait for the problem to get worse!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I eat after a root canal procedure?
Once the numbness has worn off, we recommend that you avoid eating hard or crunchy foods for at least a few days afterward and try to chew with the other side of your mouth if possible. You will want to allow your temporary dental crown to fully adhere to the tooth to avoid potential complications, and your teeth will likely feel a little sensitive during this time. Foods like yogurt, applesauce, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, avocado, and smoothies are all fine to eat after a root canal treatment.
Will I need a crown placed after my root canal?
Dental crowns are used after root canal procedures for a few reasons. Their main purpose is to strengthen and protect the weakened tooth, but they also prevent the tooth from becoming extra sensitive and restore its cosmetic appearance. After your root canal, a temporary crown will be placed over the tooth to protect it while your custom dental crown is created. When you come in for your follow-up appointment, we will ensure that everything looks good before we place your permanent crown and make any necessary adjustments.
Do I really need a root canal?
When a tooth has endured extensive damage due to tooth decay or trauma and your dentist recommends a root canal, it is likely your best treatment option. Tooth pulp that has become infected must be cleaned out, so the infection can be treated, otherwise, it could spread to other parts of the face and body and potentially cause serious damage. If a root canal is not performed, a dental extraction could become necessary in the future. The best thing to do is to get in touch with our team and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.