Are you stuck at home with a terrible toothache right now? Can’t concentrate on anything but the throbbing pain? If so, then root canal therapy in St. Albans might be exactly what you need. At St. Albans Dental, this often-feared procedure is safe, effective, and virtually pain-free, and it’s one of the best ways to stop the worst toothaches right away. Come get the relief you need and call us today—you’ll wish you did sooner afterward!
Your teeth are actually made of multiple layers, and at the center of each one is a small amount of soft tissue called the dental pulp. This is actually the “nerve” of the tooth, and if it’s exposed to bacteria and becomes infected, this can lead to quite a bit of pain.
Instead of just extracting a tooth with this kind of problem like dentists would have done in the past,Dr. Aten, Dr. Davico, and Dr. Cone can simply remove the pulp, clean the tooth, and fill it. Modern-day technology makes this procedure very comfortable despite its reputation, and afterward, root canal treated teeth can be trusted to look and function like normal for many years to come.
This is by far the most pervasive rumor about root canals, and it’s definitely not true. Dental technology has come a long way in recent decades, allowing this procedure to be relatively comfortable. In fact, most patients report that it feels similar to getting a filling for a cavity. Before the procedure begins, we’ll administer a local anesthetic to numb your mouth.
While the root canal itself shouldn’t hurt, it’s perfectly normal for the tooth to feel sore for the next few days. To combat this discomfort, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed. You should be able to return to work or school the next day.
Until your tooth has completely healed, and the permanent filling or crown is in place, it’s best to avoid chewing directly with the tooth. In most cases, you can brush and floss the tooth as you normally would.
If your soreness doesn’t subside within a week, or your pain worsens, call your emergency dentist in St. Albans right away.
Root canal therapy has a success rate of about 95 percent. The vast majority of teeth that are treated with a root canal are able to last for the rest of a patient’s life without needing to be extracted. This helps you avoid the numerous oral health complications that can arise from missing teeth, such as shifting teeth and an increased risk of cavities, gum disease, and the loss of even more teeth.
Sometimes, an infection can damage a tooth’s nerve to the point where it becomes incapable of sending pain signals to the brain. At this point, the tooth is considered “dead.” Your only options are to extract the tooth or undergo a root canal. Root canals prevent the need for extraction. This allows you to avoid the previously mentioned oral health issues that come from removing a tooth.