Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected. The most common reasons for inflammation or infection are deep cavities (caries), repeated dental procedures, cracks or chips. Trauma can also cause inflammation and often shows up as discoloration of the tooth. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
Indications for treatment include prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, discoloration of the tooth, swelling or tenderness of the tooth or adjacent gums. Sometimes there are no symptoms.
Root canals usually take about 60 to 90 minutes, but the amount of time depends on the anatomy of your tooth and how inflamed or infected it is. In some cases, treatment may be multiple visits depending on the amount of inflammation and infection present inside of your tooth.
Yes, you will be awake during your root canal treatment. Getting a root canal is similar to getting a cavity filled—general anesthesia (being put to sleep) is not needed. If you have dental anxiety, let us know and we can discuss options for sedation to help you feel calm and relaxed during your procedure.
Most patients simply feel pressure and movement, but not pain. You may have some discomfort as a result of keeping your mouth open for an extended amount of time—just like any other dental procedure, it might not be your idea of fun, but it’s usually not painful.
We recommend that you take a combination of an anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) along with acetaminophen (Tylenol) following your procedure. If you cannot take ibuprofen, then acetaminophen (Tylenol) alone would be the next best thing. In certain instances, the doctor will prescribe you an antibiotic, and/or possibly an additional medication for pain. All instructions regarding medication will be thoroughly reviewed with you before you leave, and you will also be given written instructions.
It is recommended that you have your permanent restoration placed 2-3 weeks after your root canal treatment. This gives your tooth time to heal, but not longer than one month after the procedure. This step is imperative for the long-term prognosis of your tooth. Without a final restoration to protect the tooth it is at risk for fracture or re-infection.
New dental trauma, a new cavity, a broken filling or a crack in the tooth can allow contaminated saliva to leak into the tooth and cause a new infection inside your tooth. In addition, if you did not have a final restoration (usually a crown) placed soon after your previous root canal treatment the tooth may also be more prone to reinfection. This infection can contaminate the prior root canal filling inside your tooth. In some cases, if an infected tooth is not healing the endodontist may discover an additional canal or a very narrow or curved canals that could not be treated during your initial procedure. These complex conditions may require the skills and technology of an endodontist.