Root Canal Therapy: What to Expect

Brunette woman smiles before receiving root canal treatment in Indian Trail, NC

You’ve probably heard the comparison of a root canal to an extremely unpleasant task. However, root canal treatment isn’t the painful, scary experience patients fear. This procedure is meant to reduce your pain and to save your natural tooth. Plus, our team at Pleasant Plains Dental will make sure you are comfortable throughout the procedure. In this blog post, we provide an overview of what you can expect with root canal therapy!

Root Canal Treatment

At your consultation before the root canal, we will make sure the procedure is safe for you and is the best option for you. We will also discuss your dental sedation options. No matter which sedation route you choose, you’ll receive a local anesthetic before treatment because this numbs the affected area, making the procedure virtually painless.

We will gently use our specialized dental tools to gain access to the inside of your tooth. This allows us to remove any infected and damaged tissue from the inside of your tooth. After removing the inner pulp of your tooth, we will fill the tooth with gutta percha. Depending on the strength of your tooth, you may only need a filling to seal the area. But sometimes a custom dental crown is necessary to restore full function to your tooth and protect if from future damage and infection.

Recovery Process

The numbing agent and sedative will wear off soon after the procedure. You’ll feel some pain and discomfort at that point. These symptoms will fade away, though. Depending on your unique needs, we may prescribe additional medication.

Once you return home, be sure to follow any instructions we give you at your appointment to ensure a smooth recovery! For example, we recommend eating soft foods (such as yogurt, bananas, mashed potatoes, smoothies, etc.) and chewing on the opposite side of your mouth.

Consult with Our Team!

Schedule an appointment with Pleasant Plains Dental, your dentist in Indian Trail, NC, to determine if root canal treatment is necessary to eliminate your dental pain and save your tooth.

CONTACT US