How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Root Canal?

How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Root Canal?

Jul 01, 2022

Are you experiencing a throbbing pain that is affecting your eating habits, and your dentist recommended that you have a root canal treatment? Do you have worries or doubts about the procedure? It is normal to have concerns as this procedure is invasive and might involve extracting the infected tooth.

But you shouldn’t worry, as we at Warm Family Dentistry will help you walk through every step. Our dental specialists use the latest dental equipment to achieve the desired results. The root canal treatment might require two appointments depending on the amount of infection in your tooth. On average, the treatment may take 30 to 60 minutes to be completed.

What is a Root Canal treatment?

Decay-causing bacteria to eat away and weaken your tooth’s enamel reducing the protection between your tooth nerves and the outside world. Untreated advanced decay can affect your teeth’ blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue, causing an infection. When this infection reaches the pulp and your tooth’s root, you have to undergo a root canal treatment to remove this infection and prevent the loss of your tooth or any other complications.

A root canal treatment is a safe and effective procedure for eliminating a dental infection and maintaining the health and quality of your teeth.

What Happens During A Root Canal Treatment?

Before beginning your root canal treatment in Salt Lake City, UT, your dentist will take dental x-rays of your affected tooth. This will help them determine where the infection is and the extent of the damage and ensure that the root canal is the right treatment option.

Here are the steps that will be done to complete the root canal treatment. It includes:

    • Anesthesia. Your dentist will give your local anesthesia to numb the infected tooth and the gums surrounding it. This helps you to relax during the procedure. Some medications that may also help you relax include oral sedatives and nitrous oxides. The dentist will recommend sedation if you have dental anxieties.
    • Dental dam placement. Before your dentist starts the root canal treatment, place a small rubber dam over the affected areas. This helps to isolate the tooth ah keep it dry throughout the procedure.
    • Access hole. Next, your dentist makes an opening on the crown of your tooth to access the pulp.
    • Pulp removal. The dentist then uses tiny dental instruments to remove your tooth’s blood vessels, nerves, and tissues.
    • Shaping the canals. After the blood vessels, nerves and tissues are removed, the pulp chamber and the root canals are cleaned, shaped, and disinfected.
    • Filling the canals. The empty root canals and then filled with flexible and rubber-like dental material known as gutta-percha.
    • Sealing the tooth. Your dentist then placed a temporary dental filling to seal the tooth and prevent bacteria from entering the site.
    • Placing the final restoration. In many cases, you will need a dental crown to restore your bite and protect the treated tooth. The dental crowns are custom made to match your teeth, and the fabrication may take two to three weeks to be prepared.

When your crowns are ready, you will have another appointment to replace the temporary filling with the permanent crown. In some instances, you can receive the dental crown on the same day.

How Long Does it Take to Heal From a Root Canal?

Mostly, patients require only a few days to recover from a root canal treatment. However, following the procedure, the patient may fill irritated or sore for the first 24-48 hours. Your Dentist in Salt Lake City, UT., will prescribe some over-the-counter mediation to help manage pain and soreness.

Applying a cold compress can also help manage any pain and swelling and assist in a speedy and smooth recovery. Your dentist will advise you not to skip your dental hygiene routine. You should also not apply pressure or chew on the treated tooth until your dental crown is placed.

However, if you continue feeling the following after the root canal treatment, you should visit your dentist. If:

  • Your bite is uncomfortable
  • Swelling does not reduce after at most two days
  • The temporary dental filling falls
  • You continue feeling pain r experiencing pain in the gums before undergoing the treatment.
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