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WHAT IT IS AND WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER ENDODONTIC TREATMENT

The root canal procedure is performed in several steps:

  1. Anesthesia in the area.
  2. Drilling holes in the tooth's crown to gain access to the pulp.
  3. Pulp extraction.
  4. Duct cleaning.
  5. Obturation and sealing of the duct.
  6. Sealing of the crown and provisional or definitive reconstruction if possible.
  7. Measurement for the realization of the final crown if necessary.
  8. Final reconstruction and placement of the last peak in a few weeks.

What to do after a root channel

Below, we give some recommendations and advice on the care you can do at home after undergoing a root canalWe also explain what sensations you may have after undergoing endodontics and what the prognosis of the treatment is in general, taking into account that each case is particular.

 

Effect of anesthesia


As we have already said,  endodontics requires anesthetizing the area to be treated beforehand. The objective is to sleep that area so that the patient does not feel any pain or discomfort and professionals can work more comfortably and quickly.

After the treatment is finished, it is customary to still feel the effect of the anesthesia for some time. Lips, teeth, and tongue may still be numb a few hours after treatment, but this is a temporary effect. You have to be extremely careful when talking or eating to avoid getting injured by bites, etc.

Provisional reconstruction care


After performing the endodontics, a temporary reconstruction is done until the next appointment for the definitive reconstruction. It is usual for a part of this provisional reconstruction to become loose or wear away over time. Usually, this is not a problem. However, you should follow these recommendations to ensure your temporary rebuild stays in place:

  1. Avoid chewing gum eating hard, or sticking to your teeth.
  2. If possible, chew hard foods only with the opposite side of your mouth while you have provisional reconstruction.
  3. Continue brushing your teeth as usual.
  4. Use dental floss every day and when approaching the treated area, be careful not to pull the dental floss up when trying to remove it. It is better to remove it from the side to prevent the provisional reconstruction from coming loose.

What do I do if I have pain after endodontics?


During the first days after the endodontics, you may feel discomfort or sensitivity in the area of ​​​​the treated tooth, especially if there was infection and pain before undergoing the treatment. These symptoms are temporary and usually respond well to pain relievers. The absence or presence of pain in the post-treatment days does not define the prognosis. This means that a tooth with a lot of pain after being treated can have a perfect future in the mouth and vice versa, the absence of pain is not synonymous with success.

If you have been prescribed antibiotics to fight the infection, you may continue to take them for as long as prescribed, even if the symptoms of the disease have disappeared.

To treat the pain, you can use painkillers following the instructions. You can also rinse with warm salt water to reduce gum inflammation. Dissolve a small teaspoon of salt in a large glass filled with warm water and gently rinse the affected area.

Suppose the pain occurs when closing and colliding with the opposing tooth. In that case, it is advisable to go to the consultation to check if the bite was high when checking it with the anesthetized mouth and alleviate this premature contact.

New and permanent reconstruction care


Although the tooth may feel slightly different from the rest for a while, the final reconstruction should allow for increasingly comfortable chewing. Continue brushing and flossing, as usual, to ensure the treated tooth remains healthy.

After about two months, it is time to assess the need to put a cover or crown to protect the tooth from fracture and aesthetic changes, always depending on the amount of tooth destroyed and the position in the mouth it occupies.

General endodontic prognosis


The tooth that undergoes proper endodontics, followed by an appropriate restoration, can last as long as a natural tooth. Once the tooth has been definitively restored, all it needs is good dental hygiene habits, including brushing, flossing, and regular in-clinic cleanings and check-ups. It must be taken into account that when the tooth is devitalized, it stops receiving vital support, becoming weaker and more brittle over time.

In some cases, it may happen that the treated tooth does not heal or that the pain continues. Sometimes the pain can appear months or even years after treatment. In most of these cases repeating the endodontics can save the tooth.


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