Most people mistakenly think of this as a painful treatment, when it actually relieves pain! We at Capitol Hill Dentist will do just that, always keeping your comfort in mind. Let’s first take a look at what a root canal is and why you may need it.
First things first, what is a root canal?
A root canal is a treatment that is used to save a tooth that has undergone severe infection or decay. This is not as straightforward as it seems. At first, the infected pulp tissue at the center of the tooth should be removed by drilling or filing. The nerves and blood vessels found in the pulp tissue are damaged beyond repair and should be cleared. The dentist then cleans the area and seals it with a filling in place to prevent future infections.
Why do we at Capitol Hill Dentist, recommend a root canal procedure rather than simply extract the tooth? The reason being that it is often the last resort or the last option dentists want to explore since there is a chance of saving the tooth through a root canal procedure and allowing you to continue using your teeth as normal after a brief recovery period.
Keeping It Painless Is Our Goal
People find a root canal procedure quite intimidating because there is an automatic association with intense pain. This is simply not true and is a widely circulated myth. Our patients have described the pain to be very mild and is often said to be similar to the experience of getting a filling. Ironically, the pain from the tooth infection is much more painful and severe than the procedure following it.
And as always, we at Capitol Hill Dentist strive to keep you as pain-free as possible, regardless of the treatment or procedure.
Recovery
Keep in mind that this is a reasonably major procedure and it is normal to experience some level of discomfort. You might get muscle fatigue in your jaw due to having the mouth in an open position during the procedure. The tenderness will go down during the recovery period.
After a root canal procedure, if pain or pressure continues for more than four or five days, contact us at Capitol Hill Dentist. We will make sure to keep you as comfortable and pain-free as possible.