A root canal treatment is a safe and effective way to treat an abscessed tooth and eliminate jaw pain. Here’s what to expect from the procedure and some top tips on how to ensure a quick and pain-free recovery.
Root canal treatment is often held up as one of the worst things that someone can endure. However, when performed by a qualified and experienced dentist, the procedure is not so painful and actually has many benefits.
Used to treat an abscessed tooth, a root canal treatment will:
- reduce tooth and jaw pain
- eliminate infection to protect your dental and overall health
- restore the function and aesthetics to your smile
- prevent extraction and allow you to keep your natural tooth
Root Canal Treatment at Our Calgary Dental Clinic
If you are suffering from an abscessed tooth or jaw pain, our qualified Calgary dentists are able to perform a root canal treatment to help eliminate your discomfort, preserve your tooth, and ensure your long-term oral and overall health.
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What to Expect From a Root Canal Treatment
Typically, a root canal treatment is recommended when you have an abscessed tooth (an infection within the tooth). This can be caused by injury or a severe, untreated cavity, and without treatment, you may require an extraction.
If your dentist has suggested a root canal treatment to eliminate jaw pain and save your tooth, then here is what to expect from the procedure:
- Your dentist will use a needle to administer local anesthesia to numb the tooth. After this is done, your dentist may place a dental dam, a small sheet of rubber that isolates your tooth to keep it clean and dry during the treatment.
- Using very small tools, such as a small drill, your dentist will access the inside of your tooth by creating a small opening in the top portion of the tooth.
- Small files will then be used to clear away the damaged and diseased pulp from the inside of the tooth. The inner chamber will be irrigated with water to clean it fully and an antimicrobial solution may be applied to kill any remaining bacteria and reduce the risk of further infection.
- Once the chamber has been thoroughly cleaned and dried, your dentist will fill it with a rubber-like material. The opening in your tooth will then be closed with a temporary filling as you wait for the permanent crown.
- After a few weeks, your dentist will finish the treatment by placing a permanent crown or similar type of restoration on the top of the tooth.
What to Expect After a Root Canal Treatment
After a successful root canal treatment, it’s not unusual to experience some pain and sensitivity. You may also notice a small bubble in the gum tissue and some roughness around the restored tooth. These symptoms are normal and should subside gradually as your mouth heals.
It’s very important that you take good care of your teeth and mouth after this procedure to avoid any discomfort and make your recovery faster. Below are a few things to expect during the recovery period:
- Slight discomfort for 2-3 days after the treatment, although the restored tooth will remain tender to chewing for a little longer. Your mouth may feel sore for about 2 weeks but this tenderness can be managed with medication.
- You’ll likely be recommended a pain reliever such as ibuprofen to decrease any discomfort and inflammation to hasten the healing process.
- A permanent crown is not put on your tooth until after a few weeks. During this time, you should try not to chew on that side of the mouth (or on that tooth) until it has been crowned as this will boost the longevity of the restoration.
- Avoid sticky, hard, and crunchy foods as they can dislodge the filling material and trap food debris in your restored tooth, which may increase the risk of decay. This includes foods such as carrots, gum, apple, caramels, and bread.
- Schedule a dental visit in 6-12 months after the treatment so that your dentist can assess the progress of the treatment.
Maintaining Your Root Canal Treatment Results
Following your root canal treatment, you should practice good oral hygiene, which includes regular brushing and flossing, as well as going for professional teeth cleanings and checkups.
This will ensure that you don’t lose any more natural teeth and that your restored tooth lasts for a long time.
Call Today
To find out more about our root canal treatments, and how we can help treat abscess teeth and eliminate any tooth/jaw pain, contact our Calgary dental clinic today at 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.
