Root Canal Therapy: What to Expect, Benefits & Recovery Steps

At Lagniappe Dental, we emphasize preventative dental care because one of our primary goals in promoting good oral health is helping patients preserve their natural teeth. Despite our best efforts, natural teeth can sometimes be compromised and become infected. In these cases, treatment with root canal therapy might be necessary to protect and save the tooth.  

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a part of your oral anatomy. Below the gum line, a system of roots supports and anchors every natural tooth from within the jawbone. These roots are long and narrow, and their interiors are shaped like canals. The canals (along with the insides of your teeth) contain the living parts of your tooth (soft tissues, blood vessels, and nerve tissues). This interior soft tissue is called pulp.  

What Is Root Canal Therapy?

A type of endodontic therapy, root canal therapy is a treatment designed to resolve bacterial infections of a tooth's pulp through the removal of the pulp and sterilization of the tooth's interior. This treatment is sometimes simply referred to as a root canal.  

Why Root Canal Therapy Might Be Necessary

Root canal therapy is usually only recommended in cases where it is an alternative to tooth extraction. Root canal therapy usually becomes necessary when the interior of a tooth has been exposed to bacteria, compromising the overall health and integrity of the tooth. Instances when a root canal might be required include:

• Severely chipped or broken tooth

• An old dental filling has been compromised

• An injury to the face or mouth

• Severe tooth decay and dental caries

• A pulp infection (pulpitis) that occurs for another reason

• Faulty dental crown

In these cases, the only treatment alternative is often tooth extraction. If a patient wishes to preserve their natural tooth and avoid extraction, then a root canal is necessary.  

Signs You Might Need a Root Canal

Some signs and symptoms of oral infection that might indicate the need for a root canal include:

• Persistent tooth pain

• Tooth pain that hurts especially when biting down

• Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures  

• Swollen, bleeding, or tender gums

• A pimple-like bump or abscess on the gum tissue

• Tooth discoloration (grayish-black appearance)

• Loose permanent tooth

• A tooth that feels longer than normal

• Bite changes

• Persistent bad breath

If you experience any of the signs or symptoms of oral infection, you should seek urgent treatment because oral bacterial infections can be quite dangerous and life-threatening if left untreated.  

The Root Canal Procedure: What to Expect During Root Canal Treatment

Preparing for a Root Canal

To prepare for your root canal treatment, our dentist will take extensive diagnostic images that enable us to view the root system and extent of infection prior to treatment. Using this information, we can develop a comprehensive and detailed treatment plan designed to resolve your specific case.

Patients are not required to do much in preparation for root canal treatment. If you experience dental anxiety or are worried about undergoing root canal therapy, our dentist can talk with you about options for sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry can use a variety of treatment modalities to alleviate your worries and help you stay calm and relaxed throughout your treatment. For root canal treatment, the most commonly used form of sedation dentistry is oral conscious sedation (prescription oral sedatives).  

If you do choose sedation dentistry for your appointment, you will need to arrange transportation to and from our office on the day of your root canal procedure.  

The Root Canal Procedure

A root canal procedure begins with the administration of local anesthetics. This is a small injection that completely numbs the treatment area and ensures that you won't experience any pain or discomfort during your procedure. Additionally, the anesthetic's effects will last beyond your appointment, continuing to prevent pain.

Our dentist begins root canal treatment by drilling the top of the infected tooth. This opens up the tooth, allowing us to remove the interior pulp from the tooth and the root canals. We then clean and sterilize the tooth's interior before filling it with a special dental putty called gutta-percha. After filling the tooth and root canals, we seal the tooth with composite resin dental filling. Most often, we place a dental crown over a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy because crowns provide complete support and protection to a treated tooth. In some instances, however, a porcelain inlay or onlay might provide adequate restoration to the external structure of the tooth.  

While most root canal treatments are 100% effective, patients sometimes require root canal retreatment. In these cases, it is more common for dentists to make a small incision in a patient's gum tissue to access a tooth's roots before cleaning and sterilization.  

Aftercare and Recovery: What Are the Risks of Root Canal Therapy?

Root canal therapy is a very safe procedure and doesn't have many risks or complications. The most common issues that can occur after your procedure include:

• Recurring infection or abscess formation

• Accidental damage to a neighboring tooth

• Incomplete removal of infected tissue

• Small, undetected fractures in the tooth's roots

• Filling erosion

While complications after root canal therapy are fairly rare, they can sometimes occur. Our dentist will provide you with thorough information regarding any signs and symptoms to look out for after your root canal treatment.  

Root canal therapy side effects have a reputation for being painful, but with proper aftercare, you can minimize pain and discomfort while accelerating healing and recovery. Root canal recovery time can vary from patient to patient, depending on general health, the location of the tooth, and the complexity of the treatment. Most patients experience some mild discomfort (pain and swelling) around the treatment area for a few days after the procedure. Most patients completely recover within one to two weeks.

Some tips to accelerate healing and minimize side effects during your recovery include:

• Using over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to reduce any pain and swelling

• Applying a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce pain and swelling

• Keeping your head elevated to reduce pain

• Maintaining oral hygiene according to the instructions we provide

• Eating a diet of soft foods

• Avoiding hot and spicy foods or drinks for a few days after your procedure

If you experience unexpected or severe symptoms or notice any signs of recurring infection, contact our office right away.  

How Much Does a Root Canal Cost?

The cost of root canal treatment varies greatly depending on a number of factors such as:

• The type of tooth being treated (incisor, canine, premolar, or molar)

• The severity of the infection

• The complexity of the tooth's root system

• The type of restoration that will be placed on the tooth (dental crown, inlay, or onlay)

• The patient's dental insurance policy

On average, the cost of root canal therapy can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Once we have provided you with a recommended treatment plan, our office can also provide you with a total cost estimate and help you navigate your insurance policy to determine what kind of treatment cost you can expect.  

We are committed to helping all of our patients access the dental care they need. If you are concerned about the costs associated with root canal treatment, we welcome you to ask us about our dental savings plans and additional payment options.  

Saving Natural Teeth with Root Canal Therapy in Fairhope, AL

At Lagniappe Dental, we strive to provide our patients in need of a root canal in Fairhope, AL with comprehensive care, positive treatment experiences, and highly successful treatment outcomes. If you are experiencing unusual tooth pain or need root canal therapy, we welcome you to contact our office to request a root canal appointment, consultation, and examination with Dr. David Bruce. We look forward to helping you find relief while strengthening your natural teeth.  

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