Do You Get Put to Sleep for a Root Canal?
When dentists tell patients that they need a root canal, many feel uncertain about what will happen. The term “root canal” is often used as shorthand for a tedious, unpleasant procedure. You may worry that root canal therapy could be difficult and cause discomfort.
The truth is that today’s root canals are gentle, routine procedures that most patients find comfortable. A root canal relieves the pain caused by an infected tooth: it does not cause it.
Many patients can easily tolerate a root canal procedure with local anesthesia alone. If you feel uneasy at the dentist or simply want to relax, we offer nitrous oxide sedation.
Read on to learn more about root canal therapy, including popular patient questions about the procedure and recovery process.
Debunking Myths About Root Canal Therapy
You may have received misleading information about endodontics that states that root canals are difficult, uncomfortable procedures. While root canals may have been more challenging in the past decades, today’s endodontists focus on patient comfort. They explain every step of the procedure and why it is necessary to restore your oral health.
Benefits of Root Canals
- Relieves discomfort
- Treats the infection inside the tooth that could spread to other teeth or other parts of the body if left alone
- Protects the tooth’s natural root system, keeping the jawbone healthy and strong
- Protects long-term oral health
How Root Canal Therapy Works
Step 1: Anesthesia
We provide local anesthesia to prevent discomfort. You may feel movement and mild pressure during the procedure. The process should feel very similar to receiving a large filling from your family dentist.
Step 2: Cleaning and Disinfecting the Tooth and Root System
We make a small opening in your tooth to access the interior. We use a specialized endodontic microscope to examine the inside of your tooth and locate all infected pulp. Using endodontic tools, we reach into your root canals and clean them.
Step 3: Temporary Filling
We fill your treated tooth and roots with gutta-percha and a bioceramic sealer. We add a temporary filling to seal out contamination from food and saliva.
Step 4: Permanent Restoration
Within 30 days, you will need to see your family dentist for a crown or filling to protect your treated tooth. The longer you wait to restore your tooth, the more likely your infection is to recur, and you’ll need root canal retreatment.
About Nitrous Oxide Sedation
While many of our patients opt to undergo a root canal with local anesthesia alone, nitrous oxide can help you relax and ease any anxiety you may experience. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that you breathe through a small nose mask. Some patients feel euphoria, which gives it the common nickname “laughing gas.”
One of the biggest advantages of nitrous oxide is that it wears off quickly after you stop the flow. After a short break, you can resume your normal activities, including driving yourself to work, school, or home after the appointment.
Root Canals Save Teeth and Protect Your Oral Health
As endodontists, we prioritize saving your natural teeth. If you experience an infection inside your tooth causing discomfort, don’t wait to call your family dentist for a referral. The sooner we perform your procedure, the lower your risk of complications, including the chance that the infection will spread and cause illness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal Treatment
What are the signs that I may need a root canal?
If you have one or more of these symptoms, please call your family dentist for a referral:
- Persistent tooth pain
- Feeling of illness (fever, chills) accompanied by dental symptoms
- Strong sensitivity to heat and cold
- Gum swelling or tenderness
- Gray or black tooth discoloration
- Pain when putting any pressure on the tooth
- A tooth that is chipped or cracked, even if it has not yet become painful
- A tooth that feels loose in the gum
How long does a root canal take?
You can expect your procedure to take about an hour and a half, depending on the size and position of your tooth and the complexity of your root anatomy.
How long does it take to heal after a root canal?
After a root canal, you may feel lingering discomfort for a few days as the procedure site heals. Over-the-counter pain medication is usually sufficient to relieve it. However, if you continue to feel sharp pain, call us right away for an evaluation.
After a root canal, should I receive a crown or a filling to protect my treated tooth?
Crowns are generally preferred because they seal your treated tooth better and help keep contamination out. Your general dentist may choose a filling under some conditions, such as when we drill through an existing crown to perform the root canal procedure, or sometimes when we’ve done a root canal on a front tooth.
How does a root canal protect your jawbone health?
Preserving the natural root system is our priority because it allows the jawbone to continue receiving natural stimulation. If you extract the tooth and replace it with a bridge or denture, the jawbone does not receive stimulation, which can cause the bone tissue to resorb.
At Archway Endodontics, we focus on saving natural teeth while keeping our patients comfortable and relaxed. When you visit our St. Louis office, you will receive a warm greeting from our team and feel at ease. Our doctor aims to treat your infected tooth, relieve your discomfort, and protect your natural root system. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
