Severely damaged or decayed teeth often require root canal therapy. In most cases, dentists perform this procedure before placing a crown over the tooth to protect it from damage. The purpose of this procedure is to relieve pain and restore the tooth by removing the pulp, which is the soft tissue inside the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. Although one of the main goals of root canal therapy is to relieve pain, many patients are concerned that they will feel pain during the procedure itself.
Fortunately, Veal Dental Care can use special medications to make sure you are comfortable throughout treatment.
HOW DO DENTISTS PREVENT ROOT CANAL PAIN?
Before beginning, root canal therapy, Dr. Veal will numb the tooth with a local anesthetic. Dr. Scott Veal will wait for this medication to take effect before beginning work on your tooth. Once the procedure begins, you should let Dr. Veal know if you feel any pain so he can give you additional medication. With the right amount of medication, most patients will feel little to no pain while undergoing root canal therapy.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A ROOT CANAL PROCEDURE?
During the procedure itself, Dr. Veal will begin by making an opening in the top of your tooth to access the pulp. Using small tools, Dr. Veal will remove the pulp from the inside of your tooth and clean the area thoroughly. Next, Dr. Veal will fill the space inside your tooth with a special material to seal it off and prevent further decay. Finally, Dr. Veal will place a temporary filling to close the opening in the tooth. In most cases, your dentist will prepare the tooth to receive a crown at a second appointment.
WILL I HAVE PAIN AFTER A ROOT CANAL?
After the local anesthetic wears off, you may experience some soreness and/or sensitivity in the treated tooth, especially if you had pain or infection in the tooth before the procedure. Most patients notice an improvement after a few days. Any pain or soreness you experience during this time can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription pain medications, depending on your dentist’s preferences. If you have any severe pain or pressure in the treated tooth that lasts for more than a few days after your procedure, call your dentist for guidance.
With Dr. Veal, a root canal doesn’t need to be painful. If you think you may need a root canal, you need to contact an experienced dentist in Dunwoody to complete the procedure. Please call us at Veal Dental Care today to schedule a consultation.
