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For some people, the mere mention of the words “root canal” can be distressing. Although root canals have a reputation for being complex and painful, they’re actually neither. Advances in dental technology have made root canals a common procedure today. At Athens Dental Group, we offer endodontic (root canal) therapy to our patients in Watkinsville, Georgia, and nearby communities. The answers to these frequently asked questions about root canals will give you a better understanding of this treatment.
A root canal is a procedure used to treat an oral infection in the pulp of your tooth – the part that houses the blood vessels, connective tissues, and nerves. In order to salvage your tooth and stop the infection, the diseased pulp has to be removed. The alternative would be to have the tooth removed.
Drs. Drew Richardson and Brant Sandifer will numb your tooth to prevent pain during treatment. We’ll then drill your tooth to gain access to the infected pulp and have it removed. Next, we’ll cleanse and disinfect your tooth chamber and canals to eliminate any remaining infection. Once your tooth is totally cleansed, we’ll fill it with a special filling to seal it from future decay. Finally, we’ll cover your tooth with a crown to fortify its compromised structure. Your root canal tooth is then ready for use.
No. Root canals are performed under local anesthesia to avoid pain and discomfort during treatment. Rather than causing pain, the procedure itself can actually eliminate pain by getting rid of the infection.
A typical root canal may take an hour or so to complete, but complex cases can take longer. Except for crowning your tooth (which may require another appointment), many root canal procedures are done in one dental visit.
If your tooth can be salvaged through endodontic therapy, we highly encourage you to have this treatment. Saving natural teeth helps keep your smile and oral health intact. Root canal treatment also saves you the expense of extracting your tooth and replacing it with an artificial tooth in the future.
Most people heal quickly from a root canal and are up and about within a day or two of their treatment. Drs. Drew Richardson and Brant Sandifer will provide you with aftercare instructions to expedite your recovery. If you feel slight pain or discomfort after the anesthesia wears off, you can take OTC medication to relieve these symptoms. You shouldn’t eat until all numbness is gone, and then start with soft foods like yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, etc. until you feel comfortable chewing again.
Drs. Drew Richardson and Brant Sandifer from Athens Dental Group are your go-to dentists for root canals in Watkinsville, GA. To schedule an appointment, contact us at (706) 666-4611.