If a root canal is in your future, you might be worried about what to expect. You may have heard stories about root canals being very painful or unnecessary for maintaining tooth health. Maybe you’ve even heard that having a tooth pulled is better than undergoing a root canal. These rumors have one thing in common: They’re false.

The fact is, a root canal saves teeth that have been damaged by decay, helping you avoid extractions and the problems that can happen once you lose a tooth. What’s more, today’s advanced pain management techniques mean a root canal is no more uncomfortable than getting a filling, and any discomfort that you might feel afterward is mild and easy to relieve.

At Yardley Family Dental, our team provides root canals for patients with deep, advanced tooth decay, preserving your natural tooth and preventing extraction. If a root canal is in your future, here’s what to expect after your treatment.

How root canals work

Most people think of teeth only in terms of what they see — the hard, outer coating of the tooth’s crown above the gumline. But deep inside, canals lead from the center of the tooth down to the tip of the root. These pulp-filled canals contain the nerves and blood vessels that keep the tooth healthy.

While some tooth decay affects only the outer layers of the tooth, bacteria can also invade the pulp inside the tooth, causing deep infections that threaten the health of the tooth. If you don’t get treatment for this deep decay, you can wind up developing a serious infection that could mean losing your tooth.

Root canals use special techniques to access the damaged pulp and remove the bacteria and damaged material, sealing the tooth roots and filling them with a special material that helps maintain the tooth’s structure.

Healing after your root canal

Like many other dental procedures, root canals use local anesthetics and, in some cases, a sedative to help you relax. Right after your treatment, you can expect the area to feel numb. If you’ve received a sedative, you’ll probably feel a little groggy; you’ll also need to have someone drive you home.

Once the anesthetic wears off, you can expect some soreness and minor swelling around the tooth that typically last for a couple of days. Over-the-counter pain medicine and ice packs can help you stay comfortable. Our team provides complete instructions for caring for the area while it heals.

Caring for your tooth and crown

In most cases, your tooth gets a temporary crown, a protective cap that covers your newly sealed tooth while you wait for a lab to make your permanent crown. Avoid biting down directly on the treated tooth until you receive your permanent crown. 

When your permanent crown is ready, you come back to our office to have it cemented firmly in place. Afterward, you care for your tooth the same way you care for your other teeth — with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups to keep your crown and the underlying tooth in good shape.

Enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles

A root canal is an important tool for helping you preserve natural teeth and avoid more serious problems, like tooth loss and deep infection. To learn more about root canal treatment at our Yardley, Pennsylvania, office, call us at 724-271-8087 today.