Top 5 questions we've gotten recently at Granbury Endodontics
At Granbury Endodontics, we pride ourselves on being able to answer any questions our patients might have. Dr. Nieves loves to make sure our patients understand our procedures and what to expect during their root canal therapy appointments. In fact, it's something we hear often in our Google reviews, so it's definitely something we take very seriously.
We often get asked some of the same questions, so we figured we would do a quick blog post for those of you who were curious! And, if you have a question we haven't answered, always feel free to contact us to see how we can help.
How long does a root canal take?
Root canal therapy typically takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the case. Generally speaking, if the damage is severe or multiple teeth are affected, it may take longer for your endodontic specialist (Dr. Nieves) to properly treat them and remove any infection. Dr. Nieves will be able to give you a more accurate estimate once he's done his initial examination.
Before beginning treatment, our staff will discuss all the details with you, including what kind of sedation or numbing techniques we'll use to make sure you're comfortable during the procedure. During the procedure itself, Dr. Nieves will use advanced tools such as the GentleWave® machine and techniques to carefully remove the infected portion of your tooth, clean out any bacteria in the area and then use a filling material to seal up the space.
After the procedure is complete, Dr. Nieves will give you further instructions on how to care for your root canal or what medications to take. For most patients, they’ll leave with a temporary dental restoration until their permanent one is ready.
What's it like before and after a root canal?
Prior to any root canal therapy being done, you're probably experiencing some pain or discomfort due to an infection in your tooth. This could be anything from mild sensitivity when eating to severe throbbing pain that won't go away. When you come in to Granbury Endodontics for your first appointment, Dr. Nieves will be able to identify the source of the pain and decide if a root canal is necessary.
After your root canal therapy, you’ll likely experience some soreness in your tooth and the surrounding areas for a few days. This is completely normal, but it shouldn't last longer than a week or two. In most cases, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen should suffice in providing relief from any discomfort.
How long is the recovery time for root canal therapy?
For most people, once the procedure is completed, they should expect to feel back to normal within 2 weeks. During this time, you'll want to make sure that you're carefully following the post-treatment instructions our staff gives you. This includes taking any antibiotics or pain medications that were prescribed, not eating hard foods and avoiding flossing the treated area until it has completely healed.
It's also important that you properly take care of your temporary dental restoration until your permanent one is ready. Doing so will help prevent any bacteria from entering the root canal area and potentially causing an infection.
How can you tell if a root canal has failed?
A failed root canal happens when an infection returns after treatment has been completed. Generally speaking, this could be due to a variety of factors such as improper cleaning during the procedure, leaving behind small pieces of decayed tissue or bacteria or even a crack in the tooth that allowed bacteria to re-enter. Usually this is due to a lack of proper care and not due to an improper procedure performed by an endodontist or dentist.
The telltale signs of a root canal failure include any pain or discomfort in the area, swelling around the gum line, redness and tenderness to the touch, as well as a slight discoloration of your tooth. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important that you contact us right away so we can assess your situation and provide the appropriate treatment plan.
How do I set up an appointment at Granbury Endodontics?
Getting an appointment with us is simple! All you have to do is give us a call at 817-776-4646 and one of our friendly team members will be more than happy to assist you. You can also get in touch with us via email by filling out this form. We’ll discuss all the details of your appointment, including any insurance or payment plans that we offer, so you can be sure that you’re getting the best possible care at Granbury Endodontics.
We look forward to seeing you soon! Give us a call anytime and our team will do everything they can to make sure you have an amazing experience with us. Thank you for choosing Granbury Endodontics!