What to expect when getting root canal therapy: Before, during, and after

Root canals have a bad reputation, but they don't deserve it! In this blog post, we'll discuss what to expect before, during and after a root canal treatment. We'll cover everything from what to expect before the treatment to how you might be feeling after the treatment. If you're anxious about getting a root canal, hopefully this blog post will put your mind at ease! After all, root canal therapy is designed to relieve pain and get you back to feeling your best.

How to determine whether you need root canal therapy

Endodontists are the specialists who perform root canal therapy. Before you undergo root canal therapy, Dr. Nieves will need to determine that you indeed need the treatment. This usually involves taking X-rays of your teeth and looking for signs of infection. At our office, we use the Carestream 8200 Cone Beam CT, a state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging system, to get 2D and 3D images of your teeth to get the best possible view of what's going on.

Another way is by using an intraoral camera. This can help to identify any areas of decay or infection by looking directly at the areas that are causing you pain. No matter which method Dr. Nieves uses, he'll bring his years of extra endodontic training to make sure you're taken care of as best as possible.

If Dr. Nieves does determine that you need a root canal, he'll explain the procedure to you in detail and answer any of your questions.

How to prepare for root canal therapy

The good news is, you don't need to do anything special to prepare for a root canal. Just show up to your appointment on time and with any paperwork that our office might have asked you to fill out ahead of time.

During the root canal procedure, Dr. Nieves will numb your mouth so you won't feel any pain. He'll then clean out the infected pulp from your tooth and seal it off to prevent further infection.

If we're using the GentleWave® machine during your root canal, you might experience a slight tingling sensation as the waves work to clean out your tooth. However, you shouldn't feel any pain during the procedure. The GentleWave works just like it sounds (and, coincidentally, it works using 'sounds'): it sends gentle soundwaves inside your teeth with fluid dynamics to get all the infected tissue cleaned our of your tooth. This leads to an even higher success rate of saving your tooth and preventing further complications later on down the line.

You can watch this video to see how the GentleWave® technology works in depth.

What to do after your root canal therapy

After your root canal, you might feel some soreness in your mouth. This is normal and should go away within a few days. You might also experience some sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures for a few weeks. Be sure to follow our office's instructions for care after your root canal and call us if you have any questions or concerns.

Most importantly, after root canal therapy, patients often feel a sense of relief. This is because the procedure involves removing the infected tissue from the root canal, which can be quite painful (and probably why you came to see us in the first place!). However, it is important to note that root canal therapy does not always completely eliminate the pain. In some cases, patients may still experience some discomfort and soreness. Additionally, patients may also feel a sense of numbness after the procedure. This is due to the fact that root canal therapy involves numbing the area around the tooth. However, this numbness should only last for a few hours after the procedure.

In conclusion, root canal therapy is designed to relieve pain and get you back to feeling better!

Root canals are nothing to be afraid of! With modern technology, they are relatively painless and straightforward procedures. Be sure to contact our office if you think you might need a root canal so we can determine the best course of treatment for you!