Root canals are an incredibly important and beneficial procedure. They are responsible for allowing teeth to remain intact after suffering a severe infection. Were it not for root canals, more patients would lose their teeth due to extractions.

Still, the procedure has a bad reputation for being the source of a lot of pain. This reputation should not exist because in truth, a root canal is a process that allows us to remove infection from the interior of the tooth. Because of this, the tooth can begin to heal and recover, allowing any pain to be diminished or eliminated. In other words, any pain or discomfort is not because of the procedure but because of the infection that is already in place and must be removed or eliminated.

When and why root canals are necessary

Typically, this procedure is performed because the interior of the tooth has become infected or severely damaged. An infection typically will set in because of dental decay, chips or cracks. Once the interior of the tooth, the dental pulp, has become infected, it is likely that the nerves inside the tooth will become infected as well. This is what causes significant pain, inflammation and discomfort. In this procedure, we make a small hole in the tooth so that we can remove the infected portion. This will immediately help to reduce pain and allow for healing. We will need to clean the tooth and then finish the restoration for the process to be complete.

Managing pain

Before completing the procedure, we sufficiently numb the area and provide a patient pain relief. This allows us to ensure our patients’ comfort during the procedure. Afterwards, we recommend taking ibuprofen to address any pain and swelling and also to use a cold compress. Taking ibuprofen may be necessary for a couple of days but then the tooth will feel fine and there will be no need to continue doing so.

Completing the restoration

The first part of the root canal is to remove the infected area, as necessary. The second part is to complete the restoration of the tooth structure. This is typically done by placing a dental crown around the visible portions of the tooth. This crown can be tooth colored so that it blends in entirely. However, until it is placed, the tooth is still susceptible to infection. This makes it important to keep all scheduled follow-up appointments. Patients who have the infection removed but do not follow up may find that their temporary crown comes loose and the tooth is either re-infected or they have significant discomfort when chewing. This can all be prevented by returning for restorative and follow-up appointments.

Get help with pain today

If you are suffering from tooth pain, it is likely that the tooth is infected and a root canal is necessary. Do not continue to suffer on a daily basis since doing so can cause the tooth to become even more irritated  and for the infection to spread. Instead, call us for help today.