Many people are familiar with what a root canal procedure actually is, but we get a lot of questions about what to expect before and after your root canal therapy. In this blog post, we'll talk about what to expect for the before-and-after of a root canal procedure and also discuss the benefits of getting a root canal treatment done by a board certified endodontist. So, if you are feeling anxious or scared about getting a root canal, don't worry! We will walk you through everything that will happen during the procedure and what to expect afterwards.

Before a root canal procedure

Before a root canal procedure, there are several things that you'll need to do in order to prepare yourself. These steps usually include:

• Setting up an appointment to come into Granbury Endodontics

• Getting a dental exam and x-rays

• Discussing a treatment plan with Dr. Nieves

• Setting up your appointment date

• Coming in for your appointment

If you're reading this while you're currently having tooth pain, you don't need us to tell you that before the root canal procedure, it's highly likely that your teeth will feel pretty uncomfortable. But, the good news is Dr. Nieves and our staff at Granbury Endodontics are here to take care of that!

After you set up an appointment with our office, you'll come in for your examination and evaluation for your treatment plan. If you're being referred by your dentist, he or she will send over any records of your treatment from their office so we'll know a bit more about your dental history. That way we know as much as possible about your oral history and can work closer with your dental provider to make sure we conduct the best treatment plan possible before and after your root canal.

When you come into our office, we'll do x-rays using our cone beam CT machine to get the best possible look at your mouth. Our cone beam CT machine gives us an amazing 3D picture of your teeth and can help us diagnose anything that's going on in your mouth that shouldn't be. By using advanced technology to get this super-thorough picture of your teeth, we can make sure your personal treatment plan is as precise as can be. We'll even show you all of this on our big screen TVs in our office so you can see exactly what we're talking about.

After the evaluation, we'll set up the actual appointment for you to come in for your root canal therapy unless you're in enough pain that we need to do the procedure as quickly as possible. Most of the time this isn't the case, but our #1 goal is to make sure we get you back to feeling 100%, so if your case necessitates it, that's what we'll do.

During the root canal therapy procedure

During the root canal therapy procedure, we will numb your mouth first so that you won't feel any pain. Then, Dr. Nieves will start removing the damaged tissue from the inside of your tooth in order to clean out any infection or decay that's causing you pain. Most of the time we use our state-of-the-art GentleWave® machine to get the absolute best clean possible with the very least amount of discomfort.

Once everything is cleaned out and ready for treatment, we'll insert a biocompatible material into your tooth called gutta-percha. This material is used to seal off the inside of your tooth so that we can make sure no bacteria or other microbes get back in there and cause more damage. This also keeps your tooth from needing a root canal retreatment in the future.

After the root canal procedure

After your root canal procedure is completed, you may experience some mild discomfort for a day or two as your body adjusts to the new tooth structure. This can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You may also experience some swelling and slight discoloration of the treated area, but this should subside after a few days. It is normal to see some blood in your mouth for a few hours or days after the procedure, but if you notice any excessive bleeding or other complications, make sure you contact our office immediately.

After a few days, you should be feeling even better than normal and should be able to enjoy things the way they were before having to deal with the discomfort of an infected root canal. Congratulations! There's no better feeling than being able to chew without that awful tender feeling, and we're so glad you made the choice to go through root canal therapy.

Like we said, if you do have any complications from your root canal therapy, contact our office immediately. Otherwise, continue those crucial dental hygiene habits so you don't need another root canal procedure anytime soon. Even though we'd love to see you again, we'd much rather it be when you're not in pain!

Root canal and the pain after, specifically

Most patients are understandably curious or nervous about the pain they’ll experience after a root canal. After undergoing root canal therapy, patients might experience a variety of pain sensations during their recovery, often localized to the treated tooth and surrounding gum area. But, most of the time our patients rarely experience lasting pain and can return to normal activities within a day or two.

In the initial days following the procedure, it’s common to feel a degree of soreness as the tissue surrounding the tooth heals. This discomfort is usually mild to moderate and can often be managed with over-the-counter pain medications. The soreness often resembles the feeling of having a bruise, which is a natural outcome as the body responds to the dental work. Alongside soreness, there may be a dull, throbbing pain that gradually diminishes over the first few days after the root canal therapy.

Sensitivity is another common type of pain after a root canal, primarily when the tooth is exposed to hot or cold temperatures. This sensitivity occurs because the nerve tissue inside the tooth, while removed, can still trigger a response from surrounding tissues. Additionally, slight swelling in the gum area may appear, contributing to a feeling of tightness or pressure around the treated site. Generally, this sensitivity and swelling should steadily decrease within a week. However, if the pain intensifies or persists beyond this period, it is advisable for patients to contact us to ensure no complications have developed.

The intensity and duration of pain following root canal therapy can be influenced by several factors, including the complexity of the procedure and an individual's pain tolerance. For instance, a procedure involving multiple canals or dealing with an infected or inflamed tooth might result in more pronounced discomfort. Additionally, individuals with a lower pain threshold may perceive the pain more acutely than others. Recovery timelines can vary, but most patients find that significant improvement occurs within a few days, with full recovery often within one to two weeks. Listening to one's body and following post-procedure care instructions provided by Dr. Nieves or Dr. Angistrioti can greatly aid in managing pain effectively and ensuring a smooth recovery.

How a board-certified endodontist helps before and after a root canal procedure

Overall, getting a root canal treatment from a board certified endodontist can greatly benefit your oral health and overall well-being. Dr. Nieves went through extensive additional training to become board certified, and his experience will help make your root canal procedure an incredibly simple process before and after the root canal therapy. We take our patients’ experience seriously, and with the help of advanced technology, the process of a root canal before and after can go incredibly seamlessly.

Granbury Endodontics is here to help with tooth pain

If you're experiencing tooth pain, contact our office ASAP - Dr. Nieves and our staff would love to help you get to feeling back to normal as soon as possible!