Root canal therapy has developed a reputation for being a difficult procedure, but in actuality it is similar to having a filling placed. After your treatment, you might experience discomfort, but you should be able to resume normal activities the next day, if not right away.
How Will I Feel after Root Canal Therapy?
During your root canal treatment, your endodontist will remove all the soft tissue—also known as the pulp—from the interior of your tooth. This means any nerve tissue is also removed, including the actual nerve that serves that individual tooth. The treated tooth will no longer be able to sense pressure, temperature, or discomfort. However, because you have had an infection inside the tooth, there might be some swelling or sensitivity due to inflammation in surrounding tissues. This can usually be treated with over-the-counter medication. Be sure to talk to your endodontist if this becomes too uncomfortable.
If you’ve been experiencing discomfort in the tooth before treatment, this will be alleviated by the root canal therapy. So any persistent toothache or extreme sensitivity will no longer be present.
Root Canal Therapy Aftercare
As with any dental or medical procedure, it’s important to take care of yourself during the healing process. You might have a temporary crown placed on your tooth, or you might have to wait to have the tooth filled—or even both. Until the final restoration is completed, you’ll need to be careful about what you eat. Chewy or sticky foods can dislodge a temporary crown, and if food gets under the crown, it can encourage additional infection, so try to avoid chewing on that side of your mouth in the meantime. However, you should be able to brush and floss normally. Consult your dentist or endodontist for additional instructions regarding cleaning.
If you notice any symptoms returning, or if swelling becomes very uncomfortable or increases after the treatment, talk to your endodontist. There might still be infection inside your tooth, or you might have developed another infection due to a crack in the tooth or problems with your restoration.
Call us at Access Endodontics to schedule your appointment with our caring team today!
