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Being Prepared For A Root Canal Procedure

A root canal can be a procedure that you may have to undergo if your teeth have suffered severe decay or infection. This is a routine type of dental surgery for patients in order to save a compromised tooth. 

Delaying A Necessary Root Canal Can Lead To Major Consequences For Patients

When a patient needs to undergo a root canal procedure, it is important to make sure that the procedure is completed promptly. A root canal is needed when an infection has developed inside the soft tissue in the tooth. As a result, it can be possible for this problem to rapidly worsen. Eventually, a root canal may no longer be capable of treating the impacted tooth, and this could lead to it needing to be pulled. Furthermore, it could be possible for the infection in the tooth to actually spread to the jaw and gums. Root canals can prevent these issues by eliminating the compromised tissue and the infection that it contains.

Getting A Root Canal Will Involve Having A Crown Placed

While a root canal can be used to eliminate infected tissue from a tooth, it will result in the tooth being weakened. In order to reinforce the tooth so that it does not crack or break, a crown will have to be placed over it. Luckily, the patient can be fitted for the crown ahead of time. This means the patient can avoid the need to have a temporary crown placed while the permanent one is being custom-made for their tooth. While you may still need to return to the dentist for an assessment, this will involve a quick examination.

Patients Will Recover Very Quickly From Root Canal Surgery Procedures

Patients that need to undergo a root canal can often greatly overestimate the severity of the recovery period. Generally, a patient will only be sore for the first day or two following the root canal. During this time, eating soft foods is recommended as this will reduce the soreness that you experience while eating, and it can give you a chance to adjust to the impact that the crown will have on your bite. If you experience swelling following the root canal, placing a cold compress on the area and taking anti-inflammation medication may be sufficient for reducing the severity of the swelling that occurs. This can reduce your discomfort while also allowing the healing process to proceed more smoothly.

Contact a local dentist to learn more about root canals.