blog
.png)
.png)
(281) 516-8575
At Pineville Family Dentistry, our team understands that getting a root canal can feel intimidating. If you have recently been told by a dentist that a root canal is necessary to save your tooth, or you are experiencing a painful toothache, we’re here to make the process as seamless and simple as possible. Here are a few of the most common questions we hear about root canal therapy to keep you informed about the procedure:
No! In fact, this is one of the most common misconceptions about root canals. The process is only about as invasive as having a filling placed, and your mouth will be completely numb during the entire treatment, ensuring that you do not feel a thing. We even offer sedation to help keep you comfortable during your appointment.
Root canal therapy is the best way to get relief from the pain of a toothache. When you have an infected tooth, the pain can be incredibly debilitating and make it nearly impossible to work and live your day-to-day life. Once your tooth has been treated with a root canal, the infected pulp will be removed and you will no longer suffer from this pain.
Some minor pain, soreness and discomfort are common after your treatment. Usually, this will go away after about 3 days. During this time, you can take steps to help relieve your discomfort, such as taking medicine like ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
You should also only chew soft foods with your newly-repaired tooth for a few days, as hard foods could cause discomfort. Keep brushing your newly-repaired tooth, but be very gentle when cleaning around the area.
Whenever it’s possible to do so, it’s a good idea to avoid extracting your tooth. Tooth extraction is much more invasive than simply cleaning and restoring your tooth with a root canal, and you’ll need to get a restoration like a partial denture, dental bridge, or a dental implant to replace your missing tooth.
Removing your tooth is much more costly and time-consuming than having a root canal. If your tooth is severely infected and can’t be treated with a root canal, extraction may be necessary. But in the vast majority of cases, root canals are a much better option.
You should stop experiencing pain and discomfort a few days after your procedure. If it persists after a week or so, It’s possible that the first root canal treatment was not enough to completely eliminate the infection. You may need to come in for another cleaning session.
If you think that you may have an infected tooth in Legacy Loop, Richfield or Kingsville, you should come into Pineville Family Dentistry right away for a root canal. The earlier you get care, the more quickly you can get relief from your toothache. Contact us now at (318) 704-5757, or stop by our office at 3310 Military Highway, Pineville, LA 71360.
