What to Do If You Have Severe Pain After a Root Canal

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Pain after a root canal can be confusing for many people. On one hand, root canals have long been associated with discomfort, which can lead patients to assume that their experiences are normal. However, there’s more to the story than this. If you’re having severe pain, we’ll look at why this might be and what you can do.

What Type of Pain Is Normal After a Root Canal

A root canal is a fairly invasive procedure in the dental world, which means that some discomfort is entirely normal. If the tooth is sore and tender but you can manage it with over-the-counter oral anesthetics or painkillers, it’s not a cause for concern. While everyone’s pain tolerance is different, the general idea is that you shouldn’t be concerned just because it hurts to chew or you have a dull ache in the background.

What Constitutes Severe Pain?

A root canal specialist in Thornton, CO, will tell you that if you can’t go about your everyday life because you’re in too much pain, it’s time to call the dentist. In the case of moderate pain after a root canal, you may just need a prescription painkiller rather than an over-the-counter version. In the case of truly severe pain, though, you may have an infection or complication that needs immediate treatment from a dentist. It’s worth noting that these issues are rare, but they do happen.

When to See a Root Canal Specialist in Thornton

If you’re experiencing severe pain and need a root canal treatment in Thornton, CO, you may want to consider seeing a new practice. At Colorado Root Canal Specialist, our staff can examine you to see whether you need additional care to address the pain and protect the tooth in question.

Benefits You Can Expect from a Root Canal

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When people talk about getting aroot canal in Thornton, CO, they often focus on the expected discomfort of the procedure. However, painful root canals are no longer a reality. According to the American Association of Endodontics, the procedure is virtually painless and produces less discomfort than a tooth extraction.

What is the Purpose of a Root Canal?

The inside of each tooth contains a chamber with blood vessels and pulp. If the blood vessels or pulp become infected, you can experience significant pain. The infection can even spread to other parts of your body or require you to have the tooth removed. A root canal saves your natural tooth and preserves your oral health.

During the procedure, Dr. Robert McBride or Dr. Jacob Surjan uses dental instruments to get inside your tooth and remove the infection. You receive anesthesia at the start of the procedure to ensure your comfort. After removing the diseased pulp, your dentist places a cap over it to prevent future repeat infections.

Benefits of Having a Root Canal

The best outcome of a root canal is saving your natural tooth. Without prompt treatment for the infection, you could experience many additional oral health problems and rack up a large bill. Timely endodontic treatment allows you to continue eating your favorite foods, speak naturally, and display a beautiful smile. Most people with a root canal do not need a second one on the same tooth, although occasional exceptions do occur.

Learn More About Root Canals during a Personal Consultation

We invite you to contact Colorado Root Canal Specialist to set up a time to come in and learn more about the benefits of having aroot canal in Thornton CO. We look forward to helping you feel better.

What Causes Root Canal Failure

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You needroot canal retreatment in Thorton, CO, when you start experiencing symptoms in the same tooth that you had previously treated. Although most root canals eliminate the throbbing pain and inflammation present before the first procedure, a small percentage of people do not recover as expected. If you have had a root canal and the pain lingers for weeks or months afterward, please do not hesitate to contact Colorado Root Canal Specialist.

Factors That Lead to the Need for Root Canal Retreatment

Trauma to the mouth after a root canal can cause the original procedure to fail, as can new tooth decay. Committing to good oral healthcare after your procedure is important since plaque can accumulate in your mouth and cause new decay along your gumline.

Dentists place a crown on the treated tooth at the end of each root canal procedure to protect it from further infection. If the seal is not tight enough between the tooth and the crown, the crown can deteriorate, and bacteria can begin forming underneath it.

Recognizing the Signs of a Failed Root Canal

Ongoing pain is an obvious indicator that something is wrong that requires attention from a dentist. Below are several other signs that your root canal may not have worked.

  • Discharge coming through a small crack in your tooth or your gums
  • Pimple or boil on your jaw
  • Repeated sinus infections
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages
  • Swelling in your jaw, gums, or side of your mouth
  • Tooth discoloration

It is important to have these symptoms evaluated right away to determine the cause of them. Even if root canal failure is not the cause of your symptoms, you still need treatment.

Please reach out to the Colorado Root Canal Specialist with additional questions or to schedule a root canal retreatment in Thornton, CO.

How Long to Recover From a Root Canal?

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A root canal in Thornton, CO, is done to save a permanent tooth. This treatment has been shown to be highly effective and safe. If you’ve been advised to have a root canal, it helps to know how to prepare, including how long you can expect the recovery period to last.

How Long Does the Recovery Period Last?

Everyone has different pain thresholds. What might be a minor discomfort to one person may feel much more severe to another. Some patients who have had a root canal feel okay returning to work immediately afterward. However, the vast majority of people will want to at least take the rest of the day off to rest and recuperate after a root canal. Nearly everyone can generally expect to feel back to normal after a couple of days. Of course, some follow-up care may be needed, too.

Follow-up Care After a Root Canal

After your root canal, yourThornton, CO root canal specialist will provide you with follow-up care instructions. In general, though, here’s what you need to know.

Pain Management

Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used to manage pain. If you find you’re experiencing excessive pain, contact your dentist.

Oral Hygiene

Continue brushing, flossing, and rinsing as usual, but be gentle around the tooth that had the root canal treatment. Use a strong, disinfectant mouth rinse to get rid of excess bacteria.

Eating Habits

It’s advisable to eat soft foods for a few days following the procedure to avoid discomfort and to protect the treated area.

Follow-up Visit

Be sure to attend your follow-up visit so your dentist can check on the healing status of your root canal treatment.

To schedule your root canal or to get more of your questions answered about root canals, contact our office today.

5 Benefits of Having a Root Canal

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If your dentist in Thornton, CO, has told you that you need to have a root canal, you probably want to weigh the benefits first. Knowing the benefits of having a root canal will assist you when it comes time to make a decision about having it done.

Five Benefits of Having a Root Canal

Here are just some of the benefits of having a root canal.

1. Pain Relief

When you have an infected tooth, you will experience extreme pain. Having a root canal in Thornton, CO, will remove the damaged pulp from that tooth, resulting in instant relief.

2. Natural Tooth Preservation

When your dentist removes the damaged root of your tooth, it will stop further damage to that tooth, resulting in the preservation of your natural tooth.

3. Prevent the Spread of Infection

An infected tooth is loaded with bacteria that will spread to your neighboring teeth and into your bloodstream, where it will continue to spread throughout your body. When this happens, you risk contracting other diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and more.

4. Proper Bite and Chewing

Once you’ve restored your tooth to a healthy state, it will be easier for you to bite and chew your food. This, in turn, will result in you having better digestion.

5. Long-Term Solution

Having a root canal is a long-term solution. A damaged tooth that has been treated with a root canal will help save your tooth. That tooth can then, with the proper care, remain functional throughout your life.

Are You Searching for a Dentist in Thornton, CO?

If you are searching for a dentist in Thornton, CO, please Contact Colorado Root Canal Specialist today. Our number-one concern is helping you and your family maintain happy, healthy smiles for life!

3 Things You Should Know Before You Get a Root Canal

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Getting a root canal can be a scary thing, especially if you’ve never had this type of work done on your tooth before. The more you know about root canal procedures, the better it is when you come in to get work done. Your root canal dentist in Thornton, CO, can help answer your questions. Below are some things that might help you to know before you come in for your first root canal procedure.

1. A root canal is what the dentist does if the inside of your tooth becomes infected.

Many people need a root canal when their tooth has become cracked or decay has eaten into the sensitive pulp inside their tooth and infection has set in. The longer the infection goes on, the worse it gets. If you don’t see the dentist and the inside of your tooth is infected, it will only become more painful and could spread to other parts of your body.

2. It most likely won’t hurt.

Many people say that the most painful part of the root canal is what came before the root canal even began. Needing a root canal hurts! However, when you come in for the procedure itself, the dentist will numb the area, and you shouldn’t feel much discomfort.

3. The root canal can help save your tooth.

Without a root canal, you may end up needing your tooth extracted. The root canal can help save your tooth, so it’s important to go to the dentist as soon as you notice pain or discomfort in your mouth.

At Colorado Root Canal Specialist, we perform root canal procedures in Thornton, CO. If you’ve been told you need a root canal, call today to make your next appointment.

3 Things to Know About Your Root Canal Retreatment

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Root canals are a routine procedure at the endodontist but that doesn’t mean they’re simple to do. When your canals are not always as straightforward as the specialist might like, there are a few ways where the whole affair can get complicated. Root canal retreatments are a way to fix any mistakes that the dentist may have made, so you can avoid having to pull the tooth. While rare, they do happen, and it’s nice to know what you’re in for before you start.

1. Retreatment Is No Worse than the Original

A root canal retreatment in Thornton, CO, is about the same process as the original. So while it may be challenging to psyche yourself up to go back, you can at least take comfort in the fact that you’ve done it before. Whether your root canal was ordered due to a cracked crown, an infection, or a fracture, this is your chance to save the tooth, and it’s entirely a chance worth taking.

2. Your Experience May Vary

It’s important to work with your dentist to understand what you can expect during and after the treatment. For most people, the recovery time doesn’t run any longer than a few days. However, having realistic expectations about how your treatment will go is important, so you’re not concerned if anything veers off the course of ‘typical’.

3. Your Endodontist in Thornton, CO Matters

A retreatment can theoretically happen to even the best endodontists in Thornton. However, if you’re concerned about the original endodontist who performed the root canal, it may be time to consider another specialist. At Colorado Root Canal Specialist, our team can help you get the care you need so you can move on.

 

How Long Will a Root Canal Last?

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When it comes to teeth at risk of being extracted, a root canal in Thornton, CO may be the only way to save the natural tooth. These procedures are exceptionally effective and the end result often means a patient gets to keep the natural tooth they would have otherwise lost. But how long can a root canal last? Find out more about how long you can expect a root canal to last below.

The Longevity of a Root Canal – A Closer Look

A root canal is a commonly recommended procedure because of how effective the procedure can be. Endodontic treatment has a high success rate, but it can also last for many years after treatment. With the right dentist and good oral hygiene, you could even see a root canal last for the rest of your life.

How can you ensure your root canal is successful?

If you undergo a root canal, it will be essential to listen to the dentist’s advice about how to prepare and what to do and avoid after the procedure. A few things that are often recommended include:

  • Avoid smoking before and after the procedure
  • Eat only soft foods until the local anesthesia wears off
  • Avoid using the treated tooth to directly bite or chew your food
  • Take any medication as prescribed

How do you know a root canal has failed?

While uncommon, root canals can fail. If this occurs, the symptoms can be similar to what they were when the tooth initially had issues. For example, you may experience pain, swollen gums, drainage around the tooth, or even tooth discoloration. If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to reach out to your dentist right away.

Talk to a Root Canal Specialist in Thornton, CO

If you have a tooth that you suspect needs a root canal, reach out to a root canal specialist in Thornton, CO. We are happy to discuss your oral health concerns at Colorado Root Canal Specialist.

How to Recognize a Dental Emergency After a Root Canal

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Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures, and, for most patients, the treatment is highly successful. However, just as it is after a tooth extraction, it is important to watch for signs that something is wrong with your root canal. Check out these symptoms that should spur you to visit an emergency dentist in Thornton, CO right away for an evaluation.

Severe Pain

Contrary to what a lot of patients suspect, root canals are not a painful experience. You may have some mild discomfort as the tooth heals, but you should not be in severe pain. If you are dealing with intense pain, it could be a sign of infection or an affected dental nerve.

You Spot Tooth Discoloration

If you did not get a crown after the root canal, watch out for signs the tooth is changing color. If blood flow to the tooth is impeded or the root is fractured, this can cause the tooth to change color. In some cases, the tooth can be saved, but you must visit a dentist as quickly as possible.

You See Pus or Drainage

Pus or drainage from the tooth that underwent a root canal can be a sign of infection. You may see yellow or white puss seeping from the gum line around the tooth, for example. This may even occur with pain, swelling, or fever. In any case, be sure to talk to the dentist right away for treatment.

The Tooth Feels Loose

A root canal should stabilize an ailing tooth. Therefore, you should not feel any shifting or movement after a root canal has been done. If your tooth feels loose, be sure to seek advice promptly.

Speak to a Root Canal Specialist in Thornton, CO

If you are experiencing problems with your recent root canal, it is crucial to see a Thornton root canal specialist as soon as possible. Reach out to us at Colorado Root Canal Specialist to schedule an appointment.

Why is My Dentist Recommending a Root Canal?

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A root canal is one of the more serious dental treatments. It’s also one of the most effective options your root canal specialist in Thornton, CO has for saving your permanent tooth. If you’re wondering why your dentist is recommending a root canal, it likely has to do with something that is jeopardizing one of your teeth, such as one of the following:

Cracked or Fractured Tooth

In the event that a tooth has been broken or cracked to the point that the inner pulp has been compromised or made vulnerable to bacterial infection, a root canal operation may be required. The type of crack or fracture, and the degree to which it has occurred will determine whether or not you require a root canal. Your dentist or endodontist will be able to examine your tooth and advise you on the most appropriate course of treatment.

Abscessed Tooth

Abscessed teeth are caused by tooth decay severe enough to allow infection to enter the dental pulp. As the tooth pulp becomes infected, it can cause an abscess surrounding the tooth’s gums. An abscess is a pus-filled swelling spot on the gums. Left untreated, an abscessed tooth can cause the tooth and jawbone to degenerate, causing further discomfort and damage to the smile. Moreover, the abscess can force the tooth upward, making it looser and more susceptible to loss. In the early stages of an abscessed tooth, your dentist can treat it with antibiotics or by draining pus. If the tooth becomes infected, though, your dentist will need to perform root canal therapy to preserve it.

Deep Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a bacterial infection of the tooth where acid erodes the enamel and dentin. 2 If this decay is not addressed in its early stages, it will gradually progress until it reaches the pulp of the tooth, causing inflammation and infection of the pulp, discomfort, and finally the tooth’s demise. Your dentist may prescribe a root canal if serious tooth decay has reached the pulp of the tooth. During a root canal operation, the damaged portions of the tooth and the entire infected pulp are removed, medicine may be given to eliminate any current infection, and the root is filled and sealed with a dental filler. The function of the tooth must then be restored with a filling or a crown.

Gum Disease

One of the ways gum disease can lead to the need for a root canal is by affecting the pulp tissue of the tooth. The pulp tissue consists of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue and is fragile and delicate. When periodontal disease advances, it can cause the gums to separate from the teeth, exposing the root surface to germs. The bacteria can then infect the pulp tissue by entering the tooth through tiny root holes. Infected pulp tissue can become inflamed and swollen, resulting in discomfort, sensitivity, and potentially an abscess. If the infection is not quickly treated, it can spread to the neighboring tissues, resulting in further harm to the tooth and its supporting structures.

Remember, your dentist’s ultimate goal is to keep your permanent teeth healthy. A root canal is an effective way to save a tooth when its health is jeopardized. When you need a root canal in Thornton, CO, contact us to book your appointment.