A root canal is a dental procedure that works to remove the decay from the root and pulp of an infected tooth. Your teeth are made up of several layers; the first layer is the enamel, followed by the dentin, and the core of the tooth, known as the pulp. The pulp contains all the essential nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues for your tooth to get nutrients and stay healthy. When tooth decay reaches the pulp of your tooth, it causes it to become inflamed and infected, leading to a painful toothache. When this happens, you will need to get root canal therapy in Maple Ridge to clean out the decay and save the infected tooth.
Root canal therapy near you allows you to maintain your natural tooth and prevent it from experiencing a further infection in the future. However, root canals can cause your tooth to become weaker, which is why a dentist will cover your tooth with a dental crown after performing a root canal.
When you visit Maple Place Dental Centre for a root canal, our dentist near you will begin by administering a local anesthetic to numb the area before extracting the decay and bacteria from the tooth pulp and root. They will then disinfect the canal and fill and seal the area before adding a dental crown for extra strength and protection.
Are Root Canals Painful?
Many people get nervous when their dentist in Maple Ridge tells them that they will need to get a root canal because of the misconception that root canals are very painful and extensive. While this dental treatment is extensive, it is not painful. In fact, most people find that their pain is significantly lessened after getting a root canal because the infection has been removed from their tooth. While some discomfort is to be expected for a couple of days after the procedure, it can be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers and cold compresses.
You won’t have to worry about feeling any pain during your root canal procedure because, as mentioned above, your dentist will be sure to numb the affected area before they go ahead with any drilling or clearing.
What is the Recovery Process?
Once the numbing from your procedure wears off, it is not abnormal to experience some level of discomfort. However, this pain will only last a couple of days, and most over-the-counter pain medications do a good job of managing the pain. If your pain persists or is not alleviated with over-the-counter medications, schedule a checkup with our dentist at Maple Ridge Dental Centre.
Our dentist also recommends that you do not bite down on the tooth for the first few days following root canal therapy, as the area will be fairly tender and sensitive. Allowing your tooth to rest can hasten your healing process. However, this does not mean that you should avoid brushing or flossing around the treated tooth. It is still important to keep the area clean, as this will lower your risk of reinfection.
Visit Maple Place Dental Centre
If you require root canal therapy, please do not hesitate to contact our team at Maple Place Dental Centre for an appointment. Our team will ensure that your experience is nothing short of the best and work with you to ensure a smooth and successful recovery.