Good oral hygiene goes together with a cheerful and productive person. Contrary, the lack of proper dental care can result in teeth problems. When your teeth are severely affected by cavities or infection, you may suffer decay and gum disease that goes deep into the pulp. At this point, a root canal is the only option to save your tooth. At Aura Dentistry, the team of trusted physicians under prosthodontist Dr. Negar Tehrani and dentist Dr. Chang Yi performs root canal in McLean to restore the tooth functionality and preserve your oral health. If you stay in or around McLean, Virginia, call or schedule an appointment online today.
Are You the Right Candidate for a Root Canal?
The first sign that you need a root canal is pain in the mouth. However, other signs that you need to look out for include:
- Spots or pimples on the gums
- Severe pain
- Gums turning dark
- Discoloration of the affected tooth
- Inflamed gums
- Sensitivity to hot and cold drinks
- Pus or fluid from the gums
Sometimes, you may need a root canal from an injury to the mouth that damages the pulp. However, you may require a root canal without any physical damage to your teeth in some cases. Aura Dentistry offers tooth examination to determine whether you need a root canal procedure.
What Should You Expect During a Root Canal?
When you go for a root canal at Aura Dentistry, Dr. Tehrani and the team will start by numbing the area surrounding your affected tooth. The doctor will make a small hole in the tooth and cleans out the infected pulp. Next, they put a solution to discourage further infection and fill the tooth with gutta-percha, a rubber-like, biocompatible substance. They will then seal the tooth to complete the root canal. After a root canal, the team will install a crown or prosthetic cap over the tooth to protect it, restore function, and enhance its appearance.
How Long Do Root Canal Surgeries Take to Recover?
Once your dentist completes the root canal procedure, you will notice a sudden relief from pain. However, the anesthesia will have a mild effect on you, as you might feel uncomfortable. The doctor will prescribe a non-prescription drug to ease the pain while waiting for the wound to heal. After the procedure, your dentist will give you the care guides to take care of your healing tooth. It would help if you avoided crunchy food for days after the procedure. However, after healing, you can go back to using your teeth normally.
How Should You Care for a Tooth After a Root Canal?
Immediately after a root canal, you might have slight soreness for some days. However, the severe pain of the infection should be resolved. In case of immediate pain, over-the-counter pain medications can reduce your pain. Root canal long-term care is no different from the normal oral hygiene routine. With daily flossing, twice-a-day brushing, and regular professional cleanings, the root canal will last a lifetime.
To sum up, cracked or inflamed teeth are uncomfortable and painful. However, with new dentistry developments, you can have a root canal procedure at Aura Dentistry to care for the pain and restore the tooth functionality and appearance. For more information, call or schedule an appointment online today.