Root canal therapy is often the best way to preserve a natural tooth and prevent further damage to your smile. Dr. Brent Engelberg will save a natural tooth with root canal therapy whenever possible because it provides many benefits for long-term dental health. Once you lose the tooth root, the jawbone begins to deteriorate. A root canal helps to avoid this and preserve that tooth root.
Root Canal Treatment in Arlington Heights, IL
If you think you have an infection, it’s important to get seen by your dentist right away. If the infection spreads, it can have severe oral and overall health consequences. One of the most common indicators of infection is a sharp, sudden pain in the tooth. It may get worse when you’re eating or chewing and is often concentrated around the specific tooth.
However, not all patients experience pain when they have an infection inside. Check the gums around your teeth, as swelling will be present around the infected tooth. You may also notice dark spots on your tooth, indicating an infection is darkening the dental pulp.
What to Expect
The root canal procedure is similar to getting a dental filling. We begin by using a local anesthetic to numb the entire area around the infected tooth. If you have issues with dental anxiety or fear of the dentist, we offer sedation dentistry options to assist. These ensure that you stay calm and relaxed throughout the procedure.
Once the anesthetic kicks in, we drill a small hole in the tooth. We’ll use specialized dental tools to clean the infected dental pulp inside the tooth. Once the tissue is removed, we thoroughly clean and sanitize the inside of the tooth. A biocompatible material called gutta-percha is used to fill the empty tooth, and it’s then sealed off.
We’ll often use a dental crown at the end of the root canal procedure. Though the tooth is filled with material, it may not be the most stable. A dental crown seals further infection and ensures full stability in your tooth. You should be able to eat and chew like you normally would after the root canal.
The Misconception of Root Canals
If you hear the phrase root canal, you probably cringe and think of a painful procedure. Root canals have an unearned reputation for being painful. Popular culture portrays root canals as this gruesome, horrifying procedure. Patients writhe in pain, terrified while the dentist is working on their teeth. This sticks in our minds because of how often we see this. It becomes ingrained in our brains because of how often we see this portrayal pan out.
However, this isn’t the case. Typically, a root canal is no more painful than a dental filling. And just like with other procedures, we use a local anesthetic to numb the entire area before we perform a root canal. You should only feel occasional pressure while we’re working on your tooth.
Most of the pain associated with a root canal comes from the infection. When the dental pulp is infected, it swells and becomes inflamed. The dental pulp doesn’t have anywhere to go when it swells up. You experience pressure and pain because the inflamed tissue is trying to find more room to expand. Many people feel relief when they get a root canal. You no longer have pressure and pain because the infection is cleared out.
Many patients aren’t familiar with what the treatment entails, enhancing fear. Our office strives to provide patients with a thorough education about root canals. The procedure is longer than dental feelings and other treatments because we have to clean and sanitize the inside of the tooth. But this doesn’t mean that it’s more painful. We’ll talk you through the process and tell you exactly what you can expect from a root canal procedure.
Do You Need a Root Canal?
While a root canal may sound scary, the treatment relieves pain and saves the tooth from being lost. Recognizing the signs that you may need a root canal can help you get the care you need before the problem worsens.
1. Persistent Tooth Pain
One of the most common signs of needing a root canal is ongoing tooth pain. This pain can be:
- Constant or come and go.
- Felt deep inside the tooth.
- Worse when chewing or applying pressure.
While tooth pain can have other causes, such as cavities, gum disease, or sinus infections, pain that does not go away should always be checked by a dentist.
2. Sensitivity to Hot and Cold
It could be a sign of nerve damage inside the tooth if you feel sharp or lingering pain when eating or drinking hot coffee, ice cream, or other extreme-temperature foods. Sensitivity that lasts for several seconds or even minutes after exposure to hot or cold temperatures may indicate that the pulp inside the tooth is infected or inflamed.
3. Swollen or Tender Gums
Gum swelling near a specific tooth is another warning sign. The swelling may be:
- Painful or tender to the touch.
- Accompanied by a small bump (called a dental abscess).
- Present with a bad taste in your mouth.
Swollen gums can mean infection spreads from the tooth to the surrounding tissue. If you notice persistent gum swelling, you should immediately see a dentist.
4. Darkening or Discoloration of the Tooth
An infected or dying tooth may turn gray, brown, or black. This happens because the inner tissue (pulp) is damaged and no longer receives a healthy blood supply. If a single tooth appears darker than the surrounding teeth, it could mean it is dying and may require a root canal to prevent further decay and infection.
5. A Pimple-Like Bump on the Gums
A small bump, often called a gum boil or abscess, can appear near the infected tooth. This bump may:
- Release pus, causing a bad taste in your mouth.
- Come and go but never fully heal.
- Be tender or swollen.
This is a sign of an active infection, and a dentist should treat it immediately to prevent the infection from spreading.
6. Pain When Chewing or Touching the Tooth
If you experience sharp pain when biting down or applying pressure to a tooth may be a sign of nerve damage or an abscess. A damaged or infected root can make the tooth extremely sensitive to pressure, making it difficult to chew food without discomfort.
7. A Cracked or Chipped Tooth
A tooth that is cracked or chipped can expose the inner pulp to bacteria, leading to infection. This can happen due to:
- A sports injury or accident.
- Biting down on something hard.
- Weakened tooth structure from previous dental work.
If a tooth is damaged and becomes painful, it may need a root canal to prevent further infection and save the tooth.
8. Deep Decay That Reaches the Pulp
Bacteria can spread deep into the tooth when a cavity is left untreated and infect the pulp. Once decay reaches the inner tissue, a filling is no longer enough to fix the problem. At this stage, a root canal is often the only way to remove the infection and save the tooth from extraction.
Root Canal FAQs
Root canals are a commonly misunderstood dental treatment. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
How many days off of work do you need after a root canal?
We recommend that patients take off at least one day after having a root canal. This means you do not work and rest the day following your root canal. The more rest you get after your procedure, the quicker your recovery and healing process will be. Some more physically intensive jobs may require a bit more time, but the amount of time taken after a root canal is up to the discretion of each patient.
Do I need antibiotics after a root canal?
Dentists sometimes prescribe antibiotics after a root canal, but only if they feel it is necessary. More often than not, patients take nothing more than an OTC pain medication after a root canal. Some medical conditions may cause concern for infection and issues post-operation. In these cases, we may prescribe an antibiotic.
Is throbbing pain after a root canal normal?
Some throbbing, swelling, and discomfort are normal after a root canal. This may last anywhere between 2-3 days. We recommend you avoid chewing with the tooth worked on to give it time to recover. Keeping your head elevated can help stop throbbing pains.
Do I need a dental crown after a root canal?
We recommend getting a dental crown after every root canal procedure. Delaying placing a crown or other restoration exposes your tooth to further infection and complications. During this time, the tooth is more prone to damage or new dental cavities, and it isn’t as stable for proper chewing and biting function.
What should I do right after my root canal?
Wait until your anesthesia wears off before you attempt to eat anything. We don’t want you to accidentally bite into soft tissue when you can’t feel it. Don’t bite down heavily on the treated tooth for at least the first hour. Avoid very hot or cold foods, too, as they can increase sensitivity. Don’t use tobacco products, as they affect the healing process.
Can I brush my teeth after I get a root canal?
You shouldn’t brush your teeth until the anesthesia wears off. After that, you’re free to brush your teeth. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, and be extremely gentle when brushing around the treated tooth.