3 Questions to Ask Your Endodontist Before Treatment

An endodontist can provide you with the dental care you need when you are in pain and feeling discomfort. You may not look forward to going to the dentist, but if you have a toothache or damaged tooth, you need relief quickly. An endodontic dentist will perform a root canal in many situations to clean out severe decay and remove an infection from inside the tooth. You will probably have some anxiety and nervousness before you go to your appointment. It is helpful to understand the steps and preparation before the process that will take place.

What the endodontist does

Patients should visit the dentist at least every six months to maintain healthy teeth and gums. At these appointments, the dentist will examine the person’s mouth, take X-rays, look for cavities and other issues, and clean and polish all the teeth. And endodontic dentist has additional training and knowledge to perform treatment on the interior of decayed or infected teeth. A root canal is the most common of these procedures. The endodontic dentist will diagnose conditions and recommend the appropriate care before doing anything.

Is a root canal painful?

People dread getting root canals. This procedure can cause intense nervousness, anxiety and fear in patients, young and old. In reality, this process is relatively pain-free. The dentist will numb the patient with a local anesthetic to put them at ease and reduce any discomfort. The patient may feel a little pressure during the root canal, but pain should be minimal or absent. After the root canal when the numbness wears off, there could be some soreness.

Why is this treatment necessary?

For small or moderate cavities, a general dentist can usually clean out the decay and seal the tooth with a filling. This is not sufficient for larger cavities. Also, in the case of infection, a root canal is required because it will kill the bacteria inside the tooth and in the roots. Without this procedure, the infection could spread throughout the mouth and body.

What happens afterward?

Recovery is usually fast and uncomplicated for most patients. After a root canal, the patient should not eat for a few hours. This will allow the anesthetic to wear off and any swelling to go down. If the endodontist uses a crown on top of the tooth, the patient should be careful about eating hard or sticky food. It is also critical to brush the areas at least twice a day. The dentist will follow up with the patient regularly to examine the person’s teeth and the area where the treatment took place.

Be prepared

The more you understand about the root canal process and what the endodontist will do before and during the procedure, the more at ease you can feel. Review these steps and come with any questions you have. Your dentist will address any concerns you have and will provide you with as much comfort as possible. Make an appointment today so you can eliminate the pain in your mouth.

Request an appointment here: https://smilefreshdentalgrandblanc.com or call Smile Fresh Dental at (810) 515-7083 for an appointment in our Grand Blanc office.

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