With today’s techniques and the specialized equipment and skills we’ve acquired through years of training and experience, your treatment should not be painful. In fact, many patients feel that their root canal procedure was much like having a cavity filled. Rest assured, we are committed to doing everything possible to make your visit as painless and pleasant as possible.
Examinations & X-Rays
We’ll begin by reviewing your medical history and asking you a few questions about any symptoms you may be experiencing. Usually at least one digital x-ray will be taken to aid in our diagnosis of your specific problem.
Anesthetics
Before any treatment begins you’ll be given a local anesthetic using our computerized injection system (some patients claim this to be “painless”). If necessary, we can also administer nitrous oxide or “laughing gas”.
The Procedure
A small opening will be made in the outer biting surface of your tooth
The small canals (roots) of your tooth will be cleaned to remove any damaged tissue
Once thoroughly cleaned the canals are filled with a substance called “gutta-percha” to seal them
The small opening in the outer biting surface will then be filled with a temporary filling completing our treatment
Most times your root canal treatment can be completed in one visit, but occasionally the complexity of a case may require one or more additional visits. After your treatment is completed, it is essential that you return to your general dentist to restore your tooth with a new permanent filling or crown.
Post-OP Reminders:
Your tooth will be sore to biting and oftentimes to touch for the next 5 to 7 days. The tooth may feel as if it is “high” when you bite your teeth together. In rare instances, the soreness to biting may take 2 to 4 weeks to go away.
Your tooth may ache over the next 5 to 7 days. The majority of our patients find that over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin IB) work well. These over-the-counter medications may need to be taken as needed for the next 3 to 5 days. If Dr. Claffey prescribed prescription pain medication for you please take only as directed. The gum tissue around your tooth may be sore after the procedure. This soreness will go away within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.
You may eat as you normally would as soon as the numbness has worn off. You may chew lightly on the tooth in question but avoid chewing hard items until you have seen your regular dentist for the final filling in your tooth.
You must see your regular dentist within the next four to six weeks for him or her to place a permanent filling in the small opening made in the biting surface of your tooth. This is very important. After four to six weeks the temporary filling placed in our office will begin to leak, this may allow for the contamination of your permanent root canal filling and may necessitate the re-treatment of your tooth.
You may have been placed on an antibiotic after treatment or been instructed to continue with antibiotics prescribed by your general dentist. Please take these medications as prescribed.
Feel free to call our office anytime with your questions.
Please notify us if any of the following occur:
swelling around the tooth or in the face
pain unrelieved by the pain medication prescribed
any allergic reaction to any medication
