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Root Canal Questions and Answers
Welcome to our Root Canal FAQs page at Turlock Endodontics! Here, we address common questions and concerns surrounding root canal treatment, empowering you with knowledge to make informed decisions about your dental health. Whether you're curious about the procedure, recovery process, or long-term outcomes, our expert answers will guide you through every step of the way. Explore our comprehensive FAQs to discover everything you need to know about root canal therapy and how Turlock Endodontics can help you achieve a healthier smile.
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Signs to look for include pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch and chewing, discoloration of the tooth, and swelling, drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gingival tissues. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms.
Many endodontic procedures are performed to relieve the pain of toothaches caused by the pulp inflammation or infection. With modern techniques and anesthetics, most patients report that they are comfortable during the procedure. For most patients, the feeling of numbness usually subsides after 2-3 hours. For those patients who are especially anxious about dental procedures, we provide a prescription for orally administered Valium.
For the first few days after treatment, your tooth may feel sensitive, especially if there was a pain or infection before the procedure. This discomfort can be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription medications. Follow your endodontist’s instructions carefully.
Your tooth may continue to feel slightly different from your other teeth for some time after your endodontic treatment is complete. However, if you have severe pain or pressure that lasts more than a few days, call your endodontist.
Yes, for most root canal treatments, especially if there is a large lesion in the bone, we recommend that patients return to the office 6-12 months after the procedure was finished. This allows us to make sure the tooth has healed or is healing properly. Our office will notify you when it is time for you to return for an evaluation of healing. Since an abscess may take 2 years to heal, our office will reevaluate the tooth for at least 2 years.
Occasionally a tooth that has undergone endodontic, treatment fails to heal or pain continues despite therapy. Although rare, sometimes a tooth initially responds to root canal therapy but becomes painful or diseased months or years later. When either of these situations occur, the tooth often can be maintained with a second endodontic treatment.
The treatment consists of three or four basic steps, but the number of visits will depend on your particular case. Some treatments take 2 visits but most are just a single visit. Occasionally 3 appointments are needed. You should allow 2 to 2.5 hours for endodontic treatment of a molar.
In any case, it depends on the degree of infection/inflammation and degree of treatment difficulty. To me, it’s more important to do it the very best we can than to meet a specific time criteria.
You should not chew or bite on hard food items on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist; a good rule of thumb is if it is harder than a carrot stick, don't chew the food item on that tooth. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture and possible leakage around temporary fillings, so you should see your dentist for a full restoration as soon as possible. Otherwise, you need only practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing and regular check-ups and cleanings.
Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseases months or even years after successful treatment. Often, when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save the tooth.
Occasionally a tooth that has undergone endodontic, treatment fails to heal or pain continues despite therapy. Although rare, sometimes a tooth initially responds to root canal therapy but becomes painful or diseased months or years later. New trauma, deep decay or a or a leaking crown can cause new infection in your tooth. In some cases, the endodontist may discover additional very narrow or curved canals that were not be treated during the initial procedure. These situations can usually be successfully treated with a second endodontic procedure.
Most teeth can be treated. Occasionally, a tooth can’t be saved because the root canals are not accessible, the root is severely fractured, the tooth doesn’t have adequate bone support or the tooth cannot be restored. However, advances in endodontics are making it possible to save teeth that even a few years ago would have been lost. When conventional endodontic treatment is not effective, endodontic surgery may be able to save the tooth.
The cost varies depending on how complex the problem is and which tooth is affected. Molars are more difficult to treat, the fee is usually more. Most dental insurance policies provide some coverage for endodontic treatment.
Generally, endodontic treatment and restoration of the natural tooth are less than the alternative of having the tooth extracted. An extracted tooth must be replaced with a bridge or implant to restore chewing function and prevent adjacent teeth from shifting. These procedures tend to cost more than endodontic treatment and appropriate restoration. With root canal treatment you save your natural teeth and money.
No. While X-rays will be necessary during your endodontic treatment, we use an advanced non-film computerized system, called digital radiography that produces radiation levels up to 70 percent lower than those of already low dose conventional dental x-ray machinery. These digital images can be optimized, archived, printed and sent to other treating dentists via email or diskette.
Again, there’s no need for concern. We adhere to the most rigorous standards of infection control advocated by OSHA, the Centers for Disease Control, and the American Dental Association. We are meticulous in our use of barrier techniques, disinfection, and autoclave sterilization to eliminate any risk of infection.
Operating Microscopes: In addition to digital radiography, we utilize special operating microscopes. Magnification and fiber optic illumination are helpful in aiding the doctor to see tiny details inside your tooth.
Apex Locators: These devices measure the length of the tooth electronically and reduce the need for radiographs during treatment.
Ultrasonics: Ultrasonic energy can be used to “drill” away tiny portions of a tooth to locate small canals or remove obstructions in the tooth. We also use ultrasonic devices to aid in endodontic microsurgery.
Sonic Activators: This device removes the “smear layer” from the inside walls of the root canal. This enables the dentist to remove bacterial substrate and ensure a better seal of the root canal.
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