Ah, root canals. Most patients get stressed when they listen to their dentist saying that they need one to save one or many teeth because there is a misbelief that it is the most painful dental procedure, and this is not true.
Decades ago, it might have been an uncomfortable treatment; but nowadays, modern dentistry consists of quicker and safer procedures for the patient.
If you are looking for root canal near you, you may contact our dental office and schedule a consultation visit. Our dental professionals will evaluate you and determine if you need root canal work, and make sure to address your pain in the best possible way.
So, what is a root canal? Root canal in Millwoods is a dental procedure in which an endodontist (ideally) removes severe decay from your tooth that has affected its pulp. When the pulp is damaged, our dentist in Millwoods removes it, disinfects and reshapes the canals, and fills them with a biocompatible material. The whole procedure can be done in one dental visit.
Your dentist will place a temporary filling and will give you recommendations to follow during the first week, to be as comfortable as possible.
Even though our intention is not to replace a consultation visit with a dentist near you, we would like to advise you of the dos and don’ts of a root canal for a better outcome. You may keep reading to find out what they are.
Do's
1. Talk About Your Anxiety
As we mentioned above, it is okay to feel anxious when you know you need to undergo root canal work. If this is your case, feel free to talk about it with your dental professional. There is no shame in feeling scared about a dental procedure; however, despite the misconception that the root canal is painful, it actually alleviates your pain and saves the tooth.
Discuss your expectations with your dentist, and ask him or her any questions you may have about the treatment. We have a team of excellent endodontists that will be happy to assist you and clarify all of your doubts so you can feel more relaxed and confident about the procedure.
2. Pay Attention to the Location of the Pain
Your dentist might ask you where you feel the pain. Maybe it is more severe after eating something cold, for example; whatever your case is, try to pay attention to the symptoms so you can explain them to your endodontist.
If you are concerned about the pain during the procedure, you can be confident that your dentist will give you numb medication, so the root canal is nearly pain-free. However, keep in mind that the tooth will be more sensitive afterward and that you can feel mild discomfort during the first week.
Don’ts
1. Stay Away From Antibiotics
Do not self-medicate before or after the treatment, especially with antibiotics, since they can cause adverse reactions during the root canal work. If you are on any medication prescribed by your doctor, then discuss it with your endodontist to avoid further issues.
2. Do Not Take Alcohol
Some people tend to drink alcohol when they are stressed, so they might want to consume alcohol the night before the root canal; however, alcohol can cause you extra discomfort after the procedure. The idea is that you can be as comfortable as possible during the following days, so we suggest you not drinking alcohol the day before.
Following these recommendations, you can have a better recovery.
Our specialists are looking forward to helping you. Don’t hesitate to contact us!