It’s happening again. You wake up and feel unbearable pain in your mouth. You hold your face and shake your head as you get out of bed.
The last time you went to the dentist, they told you that your tooth would be fine. It seems like that was a lie. The pain today is a lot worse than it was before.
Although you might not want to, it looks like it’s time for a root canal. Just the thought of the procedure gives you the shivers.
You’re scared, but now you have a mission on your hands. It’s time to find the right dentist to tell you if you need a root canal and more about how it’s done.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a procedure that a dentist or endodontist does to help save an infected tooth. Infected tissue from the internal pulp in your tooth is removed. After that, the tooth is sealed to protect it from decaying in the future.
As you can see, the procedure itself is pretty simple. We are conditioned to believe that it’s one of the worst out there. But I would rather save my tooth than have a swollen and smelly mouth from not taking care of it.
What Are the Signs That I Need One?
I’m glad that you’re asking. Well, we’ve already addressed that you are feeling severe pain in your tooth, so check that off the list.
Here are the other symptoms that may tell you that you might need to have a root canal procedure done:
- Your gum is swollen and is painful to touch where the tooth is
- If you have an abscess on your gum, that might also be a tell-tale sign
- There’s discoloration in your tooth
- Eating is painful
- Your tooth is sensitive to hot and cold foods or beverages
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it might be time to schedule an appointment.
Do I Have to Get a Root Canal?
No, you don’t HAVE to get it done. But most dentists will recommend it to you if you’re dealing with severe tooth pain. Why would you want to walk around in pain all the time?
Although we’re professionals, we understand that it’s scary. But if you must get one, it’s in your best interest to do so.
If a rotting or decaying tooth is left untreated, some consequences can do further harm to your mouth. The infection in your tooth will spread to your gums and possibly your jaw.
There are also worst-case scenarios to leaving your tooth untreated, such as:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Joint pain
Although these happen rarely, it’s better to get a treatment done and avoid these cases’ possible risks.
Will It Be Painful?
You know what they say, “No pain, no gain.” The operation itself won’t be painful, but the aftermath will be slightly uncomfortable.
But don’t worry. We’ll give you a step-by-step walkthrough of the operation’s process.
- First, we’ll numb your tooth so that you won’t feel any pain during the root canal
- Next, we’ll provide a thing rubber covering over your tooth to make sure your saliva doesn’t cover it
- After that, we remove the infected pulp from your tooth
- Then, we seal the cavity to prevent further infection
- Finally, we fit a new crown around your tooth and give you medication to help you feel better
Remember, you will feel a bit of discomfort after the procedure. But this is normal.
Will I Be Able To Work?
Since you won’t be put to sleep during the root canal, you’ll be able to go to work. The anesthetic that’s used numbs the area where the operation will be done.
It’s completely different from wisdom tooth removal. So don’t worry about leaving our office in an uncomfortable state.
But, if you want to be put to sleep during the operation, have a conversation with us, and we’ll see if we can accommodate your request.
Can I Eat After the Procedure?
It would be best if you waited a few hours to eat after the numbness in your mouth goes away. You don’t want to bite your tongue our the side of your cheek due to hastiness.
We know you’ll be hungry after the procedure, so we understand your desire to eat. However, it would help if you were careful of what you decide to eat.
Make sure that you stay away from hard foods such as burgers, pasta, and granola. These will make you chew more.
Try to eat foods like soup, yogurt, or scrambled eggs because these require you to chew very little. You don’t want to hurt your brand new teeth.
How Much Will It Cost?
The cost to get a root canal done will vary depending on the severity of the infection in your tooth. If you need to come back for more than one procedure, it will cost you a little extra.
Also, the type of tooth that is infected plays a part in the cost of having a root canal done. If your molars are infected, then you will pay more. If your front teeth are the infected ones, then you’ll pay less.
Can I Use Dental Insurance?
Of course, you can use dental insurance. In fact, we highly recommend that you have dental insurance. Dental procedures can be very costly at times.
We want to do our very best to make sure that our customers enjoy our procedures while paying a fraction of the cost. Click here for more information about dental insurance and how claims are filed.
Who Is My Local Dentist?
We are! If you’re looking for a new dentist, look no further than Katy Gentle Dentists. The last Katy, TX dentist that you went to is the reason why you’re looking for another dentist today.
We promise to take care of you and give you a smile that you’ve been longing for.
If we’ve eased your concern about having a root canal done, feel free to contact us so we can proceed with helping you.