What Should I Expect During My Root Canal Procedure?
With the benefit of local anesthetics, discomfort is kept to a minimum during a root canal procedure. If you opt for sedation or “laughing gas” during your procedure, you won’t even know what happened, and you’ll still be able to walk out of our Yuba City dental office after your therapy. General anesthesia is usually not required for root canal treatment.
The treatment itself can usually be finished in just one visit. It will follow these basic steps:
- The procedure begins by administering a local anesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area.
- Next, a small opening is made in the crown of the tooth, providing access to the pulp chamber and narrow passageways known as the root canals.
- Very small instruments are now used to remove infected, dead and dying pulp tissue. Following this, the chamber and empty canals are cleaned and disinfected.
- The tooth is next filled with a biocompatible material, and an adhesive cement seals the tooth, preventing future infection.
Following your procedure, your tooth may feel sensitive or tender for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen are generally enough to relieve any discomfort. It may also help to avoid biting hard on the affected tooth for a time; however, any pain or discomfort should disappear within a few days.
The final step in your treatment is to have a crown or restoration placed on top of the tooth. This gives added protection to the tooth and returns its full function. You have the option of material that closely matches the color of your teeth. An investment in a root canal procedure helps extend the life of the tooth for many years into the future.
