Get Answers to 5 of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About Root Canals
Root canals are a very common dental procedure. They’re intended to fix and save a tooth that’s been significantly damaged. This process does involve drilling and filling, and it can cause some people anxiety. At California Dental Group, we’re always happy to talk to you about any dental procedure we recommend. That said, we’ve also provided you with some answers to five of the most common questions about root canals. Read them and then reach out to us at (800) 407-0161 with additional questions or to schedule your appointment.
- What exactly is a root canal?
- Do I need a root canal?
- How many visits does a root canal involve?
- How painful is a root canal
- Is there an alternative to a root canal?
Your tooth has a natural cavity inside it. It keeps the pulp of your teeth, and that includes all the nerves, connective tissues, and blood vessels in your tooth. When a root canal is done, the inner pulp is removed in order to repair and save the tooth. We then clean that part of the tooth and seal it up.
The only way to know for sure is to visit your California dentist. That said, there are a few signs that likely point to needing a root canal. They include significant pain in your tooth, pain while chewing, and gums that are swollen and tender. If you see a tooth that’s getting darker, or your teeth seem to have more and more sensitivity to heat and cold, then you may need a root canal.
Typically, it takes a single visit to complete a root canal. However, you may have one appointment during which we diagnose your issue and another in which we handle it. If you have a particularly complicated situation then we may need to see you several times. In the event we need more than one visit, we’ll put in a temporary filling that will protect the tooth between your appointments.
With the techniques used today, root canal procedures aren’t painful at all while you’re getting them. That said, for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, you may find that you experience some pain when chewing or biting down. In most cases, over the counter pain pills will be enough to handle the pain. If you’ve ever had a filling, a root canal has about the same amount of pain associated with it.
Yes, but just one: Extracting your tooth. That’s actually the main advantage of a root canal – you get to keep your teeth. If you choose to have your tooth extracted, you could end up with other issues like bite issues, drifting teeth, etc. Having the tooth extracted will relieve the pain but it may not be worth the side effects.
If you’re experiencing pain in your tooth then there’s one thing you should know: It’s not likely to go away on its own. Reach out to California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to learn how you can make an appointment and say goodbye to the pain sooner rather than later.
