Frequently Asked Questions
Your dentist will administer local anesthesia before the procedure. Therefore, root canal therapy is not more painful than a filling or wisdom tooth extraction. However, you may feel that the treated area is sorer and mildly uncomfortable for a few days after the procedure.
Most likely, you will be numb for the next two to four hours after the procedure. Therefore, you should return to work or school at least the next day following the treatment. Also, avoid eating until the numbness has subsided.
The cost of root canal therapy is associated with how severely damaged the affected tooth is and which tooth is treated. Regardless, endodontic treatment, considering its many benefits, is more cost-effective than tooth removal and artificial teeth replacement.
Root canal therapy is performed by a dentist who removes a tooth’s infected pulp, shapes the chamber inside, rinses it with disinfectant solutions then fills it with specific material. Afterward, he seals the top portion of the tooth with a crown to protect and restore it to be fully functional.
If the affected tooth has one canal, root canal therapy can typically take between 30 and 60 minutes but it may get longer depending on the number of roots and their conditions. Overall, you need to allow approximately 90 minutes for the procedure, including your discussion with your dentist before and after the therapy.
You should opt for soft foods for at least two to three days after the procedure. Avoid eating foods that are too hot or too cold and those too crunchy or hard foods. Wait until you have the permanent crown mounted on your tooth. In case of discomfort, remember to rinse your mouth with warm saltwater and take the prescribed medication.
Although a crown is highly recommended after a root canal treatment, the tooth can be filled with regular filling material. The remaining tooth structure will become dehydrated and fragile so it can crack or chip easily. A dental crown supports the once infected and damaged tooth, this way it will be a strong and functional tooth again.
Not all teeth that need to be treated with root canal therapy are in pain. Patients sometimes get confused about why their dentist recommends they have a root canal instead of a dental filling. The reason is that when a cavity is close to the tooth’s root or nerve , you will need to have the root canal. Meanwhile, if the cavity is only within the tooth’s surface, you will only need a filling.
A root canal is so much of a better option than a tooth extraction. The root canal is known for having little to no future complications. Whereas tooth extraction could eventually weaken your jawbones and your other remaining teeth and cause dental diseases that could be potentially worse over time if not treated early. With a root canal, an infected tooth is cleaned and restored to its original functionality.
Antibiotics are usually not required after the therapy. You will only be prescribed it if your dentist deems it necessary, depending, of course, on your specific needs.