We know that having root canal therapy may cause you to have a tremendous amount of anxiety and fear due to pain. You are not alone! Choosing to save your tooth is an important decision. Find out more about current techniques and guidance regarding the procedure.
What is an Endodontist?
An Endodontist is a dentist who has undergone a minimum of 2 years of postgraduate training. This Specialist training allows an Endodontist to:
- Deal with diseases of the dental pulp and supporting structures.
- Diagnose facial pain and related problems. Your general dentist often refers patients for consultation when the diagnosis is complicated or when treatment is more difficult than normal.
Aside from providing treatment, our role is also that of an educator. It is important that patients understand why they require treatment, what the treatment involves and what they can do to ensure the best possible outcome. We believe that a properly informed patient has the best chance of achieving the optimal result.
How can endodontic treatment help me and what is root canal therapy?
The Endodontist removes the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully cleans and shapes the canal system and then seals the prepared space. Most treatment is performed in one or two appointments ranging from 30-90 minutes each (depending on the number of canals). Once treatment is completed, you may be instructed to return to your dentist for permanent reconstruction. The restoration of the tooth is an important part of treatment because it seals the cleaned canals from the oral environment, protects the tooth and restores it to function.
Will I feel pain during or after the procedure?
Toothache pain is the main reason for patients seeking treatment. Fortunately, modern anesthetics can make the procedure pain free in most cases. Seeking treatment early makes the procedure more comfortable, so don’t wait. When caught early, treatment should feel no different than having a regular filling. For the first few days after treatment there may be some sensitivity to biting pressure, especially if there was pain or infection before the procedure. Sometimes over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (like Advil) are recommended for a day or two. We can prescribe other medications but they are rarely required.
We are here to help. Call Dr. Phan at our office in Torrance, at (310)-378-8342.