Hearing from your dentist that you need a root canal procedure may scare you a little. But, we promise that a root canal is no big deal. Millions of people go through the procedure every year. The alternative is living with pain, swelling, and discomfort. Also, the longer the tooth is inflamed and infected, the further the damage gets.
If you are dealing with a root canal in Long Island, it’s critical to reach out to the team at Long Island Endodontics as soon as possible. We may be able to save the infected tooth if you come in before it deteriorates too much. But first things first, you may be curious about what to expect during the procedure and what you can do to prepare for it.
What is a Root Canal and What Can You Expect During the Procedure?
If you are struggling with a tooth infection, you may be wondering what’s going on in your mouth. A minor tooth infection may be able to be resolved with antibiotics; however, sometimes the infection spreads too far and does too much damage to the tooth. The first thing that happens is a cavity, but if the infection gets even worse and spreads deep into the tooth, you have a bigger problem. When this happens, a root canal procedure is in order. During the root canal, you will get put to sleep. Then, an endodontist will remove the infected pulp. Once that is finished, the canal area will get cleaned and, a filler will get put in place. All of this is done in a short amount of time, taking barely any time out of your day.
How to Prepare for a Root Canal?
There isn’t too much preparation required for a root canal. The first thing you need to do is schedule the root canal as soon as possible. Your tooth is already several layers infected by now. The longer you wait, the more likely the tooth is to decay and need to be removed all together. With a root canal in Long Island, the endodontist will be able to save the tooth, so long as you come in quick enough. Depending on how deeply and what kind, you may get a recommendation not to eat before the procedure. We also recommend having a friend or family member drive you to and from your appointment. Some people feel a little off and out of it after sedation, making them unable to operate a car safely.
What to Expect After a Root Canal?
The root canal procedure is not a long one, only taking about one hour, sometimes even less. During the whole procedure, you will be under anesthesia. When you wake up, you may not feel any pain as the mouth could still be numb. But, as everything wears off, you may begin to feel uncomfortable and slight pain. The pain is nothing that can’t get fixed with some over the counter pain medications. You may also notice some swelling.
An ice pack should be able to help bring some of the inflammation down as you heal and recover. Some people feel drowsy throughout the day after being sedated, while others can continue with a relatively normal day. Regardless of how you feel, it doesn’t hurt to take the day off to rest and focus on recovering.
Contact Us Today!
Root canals always seem to scare people, but the procedure is very safe and takes an hour or less. Millions of people go through it every year and end up with an infection-free and pain-free smile afterward. Whatever your fears are about the root canal, our team will do everything we can to put your mind at ease before the procedure.
To book your root canal in Long Island, reach out to the Long Island Endodontics team today at (516) 670-1596.
