Frequently Asked Questions About Root Canal

A root canal treatment will eliminate the infected tissue within your tooth, seal the places where the infection occurred and prevent the possibility of further infections while allowing your tooth to continue functioning as a normal tooth. A crown should be placed on your tooth within a week or two of your root canal by your general dentist, and this will provide further protection to the tooth, preventing it from cracking and becoming infected again.

There are cases in which a routine endodontic treatment may not be enough, but endodontic surgery can still save the tooth. An apicoectomy is a surgical procedure that is needed when a routine root canal treatment has been performed, but the bone surrounding the affected tooth has not been able to heal from the infection. It may also be needed when your endodontist is not able to access and completely clean out all of the infected tissue at the end of the root during a routine root canal. Leaving any infected tissue in the root means that your tooth will not heal properly and will continue to cause you pain.

Apicoectomies are performed by accessing the root of your tooth from under your gums rather than from the top of your tooth. The tip, or apex, of the root, will be removed, the root canal will be cleaned out, and then the root will be sealed.

The actual root canal procedure, if your dentist is an experinced doctor, takes between 20 to 60 minutes, start to finish. 

The endodontist numbs the affected area. After some protective procedures for the tooth, an opening is created in the top, and the tooth’s pulp is removed from the tooth itself and the canals. The number of canals depends on the type of tooth and its location. The canals are carefully cleaned and disinfected. Shaping of the canals then begins, to ensure all infected tissue is gone and there is sufficient room to fill the root canals. During the time, X-rays are taken to verify proper shaping and cleaning of the root canals.

Some root canals are done in one visit, while others require two sessions. For a primary appointment, the endodontist places medication in the root canal to kill bacteria and then places a temporary filling on the tooth. Prescribing antibiotics is the norm, with the next appointment scheduled in about a week.

For one session root canals, the endodontist fills the root canal with natural latex known as gutta percha. A sealing solution is then applied, and a temporary filling is put in place. The same procedure is done for two session root canals, although the original temporary filling requires removal.

A dentist will put in a permanent crown to prevent future breakage. A post placed in a canal can serve as an anchor for the permanent filling.

While you can eat after a root canal, it is important to avoid chewing with the affected tooth. Without restoration by a dentist, the tooth is fragile and may easily break. Eat soft foods and avoid harder crunchier items. It is not a good idea to consume nuts, popcorn or anything requiring vigorous chewing or tending to get stuck in teeth.

After the root canal, the affected tooth may remain sensitive for several days. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen are sufficient for pain relief after a root canal. The medications are marketed under the trade names such as Advil, Motrin or Aleve, as well as generically. If the patient experiences severe pain – which is unusual – the endodontist can prescribe stronger medications for short-term use. You may also try rinsing your mouth with a salt water solution several times daily to reduce any swelling. Put one teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and stir well before using.

The root canal is the removal of infected tissue within the tooth and its canals. Within several weeks of the root canal, the tooth undergoes a buildup to replace its interior. An impression is made of the tooth to design the crown.

Without a crown, the affected tooth is likely to break. If that happens, an extraction and bridge are needed. A temporary crown is cemented in place while the permanent crown is under creation in a laboratory. The temporary crown is generally in use for about two weeks. The permanent crown is made of metal or porcelain, and permanent cement is used to keep it in place. While crowns are not inexpensive, they are designed to last for decades.

A dentist may prescribe antibiotics before the root canal for pain reduction, but antibiotics cannot kill the infection within a tooth. That’s because these drugs cannot reach the source of the infection within the tooth since there is no blood supply there. Some patients may receive an antibiotic prescription after the root canal, but whether or not a patient receives post-root canal antibiotics is based on their specific medical needs.

It is possible for a tooth to become infected after a root canal. A tooth’s roots include branches of the primary canals. Although every endodontist strives to thoroughly clean the canals and remove all infected tissue, bits of infection may remain behind. Should re-infection occur, a second root canal or an extraction is not automatically needed. Instead, the endodontist may perform a procedure called an apicoectomy. This involves removing the root tip and infected material. After the removal, a filling is put in place. Whether an apicoectomy is appropriate instead of another root canal depends on the individual situation.

It is imperative to replace a temporary filling within the designated time after the root canal. That’s four to eight weeks. Delaying the replacement of a permanent filling may allow bacteria to enter the tooth and cause re-infection. 

Yes, good oral hygiene remains crucial after a root canal. However, you must take extra care when brushing your teeth. Use a soft toothbrush and do not brush too vigorously. It is also important to floss, but take care around the filling. You don’t want to catch the edge of the filling on the floss and accidentally dislodge it.

Patients needing a root canal usually experience severe pain from the infected tooth. However, that’s not always the case. Contact your dentist immediately if you suffer from any of the following:

A dull pain in the mouth that gets worse with time

Considerable pain when eating or drinking

A tooth that is tender to the touch

Tooth darkening

Sensitivity to hot or cold food or drink

Gum swelling in the area experiencing tooth pain

Swelling around the jaw and cheeks

What looks like a pimple on the gums – this is an abscess. Do not squeeze it.

It is possible to break a tooth and not feel much if any, pain. Always see a dentist as soon as possible if you have broken or chipped a tooth. A root canal might save it. 

After your root canal, expect to deal with mouth pain for several days. Over-the-counter pain medications are usually sufficient to deal with this discomfort, but the dentist can prescribe stronger medication if necessary. Your endodontist will give you instructions on eating and oral hygiene after your root canal. Make sure to follow these instructions, and call the office if you have any questions. If your mouth swells up significantly or you experience an allergic reaction to any medication, call the endodontist immediately.

Avoid using the affected tooth for chewing or biting until it is restored. Stay away from harder foods during this time, and don’t chew gum. While you should brush and floss, as usual, take extra care in the area of the temporary filling. The root canal itself is just one part of the process. The next, vital step is restoration. Make an appointment for this stage with your dentist within a few weeks of the root canal.

Having sensitive teeth is not fun at all! Things that can cause teeth hypersensitivity are receding gums, cavities, tooth decay, and damaged tooth enamel. Depending on the circumstances sensitivity can range from a tolerable, mild discomfort to severe pain. One in eight adults will suffer from sensitive teeth at one point in their life. If you are one of those people looking to get relief from sensitive teeth here are a few tips to soothe sensitivity. Please call us to make an appointment with one of our dental specialists for consultation and treatment.

Tooth sensitivity happens when the roots of your teeth become exposed. How does this happen? It can happen for a number of reasons such as having damaged tooth enamel, cavities, receding gums, broken dental work (caps, fillings, etc.), new dental work, chipped teeth, or grinding teeth.  When your teeth are sensitive, certain foods that may be cold, hot, or spicy can leave an uncomfortable feeling in your mouth. Another cause of sensitive teeth is from using whitening treatments, laden toothpaste, or mouthwash that contains alcohol.  Using these products habitually can lead to worse tooth sensitivity and damage.

Strengthen your enamel:

 Tooth enamel is the first defense against adverse conditions in your mouth. If your tooth enamel is sensitive, you have to re-mineralize the surface of your teeth by brushing your teeth daily with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.

Take preventative measures: 

Schedule an appointment with a dentist if the sensitivity is causing severe pain. There is no reason to wait or delay treatment when you can feel better today. If you feel that sensitive teeth may be caused by tooth decay, you can ask your dentist for an x-ray which can provide you with results and detect tooth decay early as it happens. In case you didn’t know, getting your teeth cleaned twice a year remove plaque and keeps your mouth healthy. This reduces any major dental illnesses and problems. Sticking to a healthy brushing and flossing regime daily can cut down on tooth decay and gingivitis. If you are one of those people who stick to a daily tooth care regime who brush and floss twice a day, great. If not, establishing a convenient routine can help minimize problematic issues. Have you found a toothbrush that fits your needs? Using the right toothbrush can make your regime easier and work out smooth. If you are neutral on the topic the suggested toothbrush is a thick, soft bristle, toothbrush. If you decide to opt for a hard toothbrush with rough plastic you may be setting your teeth up for pain and gum damage. Do not choose a hard toothbrush unless you really need it. If you do have a hard toothbrush you can always run the brush under hot water to soften the bristles before you brush your teeth.

Use a night guard:

Tooth pain can be linked to grinding your teeth in the daytime or night time. A dentist can help you to guard your teeth against grinding by prescribing you a mouth guard to wear overnight. The mouth guard can either be chosen or custom to fit your teeth only. If you choose to do so you can visit your local store and purchase over the counter mouth guards. The over the counter mouth guards prevent your teeth from grinding at night when you sleep.

Chew gum: 

This may sound like a fun idea you have no problem doing, but did you know that chewing sugar-free gum helps increase your saliva production. When there is a good amount of saliva present it helps to naturally harden tooth enamel. When you chew gum, make sure that it is sugar-free because sugary gum leaves behind a residue that can make teeth sensitivity worse.

Use fluoride rinse:

Fluoride is the best option for getting rid of tooth sensitivity by strengthening your enamel. Fluoride is a natural mineral that should be incorporated into your oral hygiene routine. Using fluoride rinse can rebuild your enamel including lost enamel to add a protective layering over time. Rinsing your mouth with fluoride is easy. A fluoride rinse is easy to do and takes only a couple of minutes. Rinse your mouth with tap water, swish, and spit. Fluoride is present in public water supply to reduce cavities and is available to you.  Using fluoride is a safe treatment option and many researchers, scientist, and dentists stand behind its effects and uses.

Skip whitening treatment: 

Nothing bad comes out of having white teeth except for sensitive teeth. Using a whitening treatment might be how you got sensitive teeth. Whitening treatments contain chemicals that sometimes irritates the nerves in your teeth. Repeated use of teeth whiteners causes your sensitive teeth to get out of control with severe pain. In this case, it is recommended that you give your teeth a break. Allow yourself to skip the next whitening treatment and resume treatment when you are ready. If you insist on getting another treatment you can consult your dentist and your dentist will provide you with a treatment that will be kind to your sensitive teeth while treating it. Over the counter, whitening treatments cause sensitive teeth easily and should be avoided if you have a history of sensitive teeth after whitening. Taking a break with whitening treatments? After consuming sugar or food that may be high in acids you can always brush your teeth and floss afterward. You don’t have to whiten your teeth because of its clean effects.

Sensitive toothpaste: 

Using sensitive toothpaste that is designed to soothe sensitive teeth may be something to look for if you keep up your whitening treatments or if you experience sensitive teeth often. Look for the ingredient potassium nitrate. Potassium nitrate is an ingredient that desensitizes your teeth and blocks pain signals. If you want to go for a more natural type of toothpaste there are some toothpaste that has nothing but natural ingredients. The ingredients are less harsh too. Regular toothpaste is made with a formula to get rid of plaque on the surface of the teeth. Regular toothpaste contains certain abrasive chemicals that are formulated to get rid of surface stains. Look for a low abrasion toothpaste when dealing with sensitive teeth.

Some of the tooth pain and sensitivity can be only treated with in-office treatments, please call us to make an appointment with our endodontists.