How Long Does It Take to Recover from Root Canal Treatment

You’ve had your root canal treatment and are now wondering how long it will take to recover. For most people, the procedure itself is quick and painless, but the recovery time can take longer than you think. That’s why we put together this guide to help you know what to expect during the healing process, so you can get back to your regular life sooner! Root canal recovery time depends on how extensive of a procedure you need; however, patients can expect two weeks of discomfort followed by relief.

Root canal procedures and how long they take

Root canal procedures can be quite painful. Before getting a root canal, it’s crucial that you find a emergency dentist near me open now, who can ease your anxiety and understand your pain. Root canal procedures are used when there is an infection or decay in one or more of your teeth. The infected pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, is removed from inside the tooth by cleaning out the canals with files, then disinfecting and filling them with an inert material to protect against future infections. Root canal recovery time varies depending on whether or not medication is administered during treatment. For example, patients who receive injections of novocaine during their procedure will likely experience less discomfort during healing than those who receive sedation medication after their treatment has ended.

Preparing for root canal treatment

Preparation is an important part of root canal treatment. Prior to root canal treatment, you’ll need to take several steps in order for your procedure to be a success. First, if it has been at least 10 hours since your last meal or snack and 4 hours since your last drink of anything other than water, then you’re ready for treatment. This will help keep bacteria from entering into and infecting the pulp chamber while you are under anesthesia. Another important part of preparation is good oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing daily with a non-alcoholic mouthwash twice a day (morning and night). You also might be asked by your dentist or oral surgeon to avoid certain foods that may cause infection following surgery.

Root canal preparation

Your dentist will use a drill to create holes in your tooth enamel and then, using different tools, carefully clean out any decaying nerve or other tissue. Once everything is cleaned out and before filling, your dentist will place a protective temporary material into your tooth called gutta percha. This will ensure that there’s no way for bacteria or germs to enter again once he or she fills it with resin.

Dental procedure done at dental clinic in London

Getting a root canal done is not something most people look forward to, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a quick and easy process. The first step toward getting your root canal recovery time back on track is choosing an experienced dentist; search for one with lots of experience and an established, quality reputation in your area. Before you even set foot in the office, make sure your selected dentist has every tool necessary for performing root canals—including a top-of-the-line electronic dental x-ray machine with imaging technology that will ensure he or she can see everything clearly and immediately.

Recovery process after root canal treatment

Root canal recovery time varies depending on a number of factors, including your level of pain. If you’re in pain and uncomfortable for more than three days after your root canal treatment, you should talk with your dentist about a local anesthesia or another form of dental medication. Most people will feel soreness and/or mild discomfort for a few days after their procedure. Avoiding ice cold foods, avoiding food that requires biting (like apples), taking pain medication, and placing an over-the-counter cold pack on your cheek can help manage post-treatment soreness. For more severe discomfort, it might be wise to speak with your dentist about over-the-counter dental medications.

Recovery time frames

Acute pain is not dangerous in itself. However, it can be a sign of an underlying health problem that needs immediate medical attention. Excessive or persistent pain may indicate: serious dental problems, such as tooth decay; osteoarthritis (wear and tear of cartilage and bones at joint surfaces) in knees, hips or hands; osteoporosis (decrease in bone density); coronary artery disease (narrowing of blood vessels that supply blood to heart muscle); chronic kidney disease; cancer. Seek medical help if you are experiencing sudden and intense facial pain, as it may be linked to trigeminal neuralgia — a condition that causes severe facial pain or numbness.

Pain management

If you are going to get a root canal, you’ll most likely experience some tooth sensitivity post-treatment. The nerve that serves that tooth has been killed, so there won’t be. Any pain per se, but any sort of biting pressure will send jolts of numbing sensation throughout your mouth. The first day after treatment is usually worse than any pain you had beforehand. That’s because during treatment, when dentists freeze tissue around. Your tooth with an anesthetic, they also numb nerve endings in surrounding teeth and gums; even days later those nerves may continue sending dull tingles through your head. What can help?

Home remedies for root canal pain

Once you’ve had your root canal, there are a few home remedies that can help alleviate some of your symptoms. As with most pain and inflammation, icing is helpful for reducing swelling and discomfort. Additionally, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be effective in reducing inflammation and pain associated with root canal treatment. Some examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil), ketoprofen (Orudis KT), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or mefanamic acid (Ponstel). Pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) are also often effective at reducing post-root canal pain and inflammation.

Freezing Numbness Away

If you’re getting a tooth pulled, be sure. Your dentist warns you about a side effect of local anesthetic: facial swelling. While nothing can be done in advance, it’s common and goes away on its own in 24 hours or so.