Root canal treatment is one of the most common procedures in dentistry. Modern technology has made most root canals in Scottsdale routine procedures with little pain or discomfort.
At Mercado Dental Care, Dr. Nack will perform root canal therapy to remove infections and save our patients’ teeth. Dr. Nack prioritizes keeping patients comfortable throughout the procedure. When a tooth infection is untreated, it can spread deeper into the center of the tooth. The center of the tooth houses nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. Since this is such a sensitive area, a deep tooth infection can be very painful.
Root canal treatment works by creating a small hole in the tooth allowing all the infected areas to be removed, including the root. Tooth roots are needed for teeth to grow and to feel sensations such as hot or cold. Once a tooth has reached maturity, there is no harm done in removing the root. In fact, doing so can prevent the spread of infection and preserve the tooth. Once the root canal treatment has been completed, Dr Nack will seal the treated area and prepare your tooth for restoration.
At Mercado Dental Care in Scottsdale, AZ, we protect and strengthen the damaged tooth with a dental filling or porcelain crown. Both restorative solutions are made of a tooth-colored material, so it will blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Following the aftercare instructions provided by our team is crucial after root canal treatment. These instructions are designed to help prevent any unnecessary damage and promote proper healing.
Right after the procedure, you will have some numbness which can make it hard to eat and may result in accidental injury if you try to eat while numb. You should also avoid hard or crunchy food during the healing process to prevent damaging the area.
Maintaining basic oral hygiene habits, including brushing and flossing regularly, is important. While the affected area is healing, you should avoid brushing or flossing too aggressively.
It can be tempting once the root canal is over and everything feels back to normal to skip the follow-up at the dentist, but this is critically important to maintain oral health and ensure no concerns with the procedure.
While there is some pain and swelling to be expected after the root canal, it’s important to monitor your symptoms and ensure that swelling and pain don’t start to get worse.