If you’re a Texan about to undergo an Austin root canal for the first time, you’re probably wondering what to expect. We’ve all heard of the procedure, but what exactly is involved? The actual root canal is the natural hollow within a tooth, filled with a pulpy substance, and housing the nerve of the tooth. This nerve is really only needed when the tooth is coming up, and it, along with the pulp around it, must be removed when the tooth is decayed. When this is the case, this pulp begins to rot, providing a breeding ground for bacteria, and increasing the risk of an abscess. If you have experienced a bad toothache, extreme sensitivity to hot or cold, severe discoloration, or a pimple on the gum that won’t go away, your dentist may recommend a root canal.
When you arrive at the office for your Austin root canal, your dentist will first perform an x-ray to get an idea of the condition of the root and determine whether there is any infection in the surrounding bone. He then anesthetizes the area around the tooth. Next he drills a hole into the tooth and removes the root and pulp using root canal files, which scrape out the offending material. Throughout the process, your dentist will wash out the area using sodium hypochlorite. When this process is completed, your dentist will seal up the tooth. He may do this the same day, or you may be scheduled to come back. If you finish the procedure later, you will be given a temporary filling, but you will need to be careful about putting undue strain on the tooth. Avoid hard foods, and try to chew on the other side of your mouth, if possible. The tooth is then filled with a specially formulated paste and gutta percha, a rubber compound. The outside of the tooth is closed with a filling. Following this procedure, you may need further work, like a crown cap, to protect the tooth or restore its full function. Not every patient needs this, and it will be up to your dentist to determine the necessity of further work.
Following your Austin root canal, you will experience some pain and sensitivity, which can usually be kept at bay with over-the-counter pain medicines. You should be able to go back to work the next day. Root canals have a high success rate – about 95% – and the repairs made can last the rest of your life. Although this procedure sounds extremely painful, in reality, it is about as painful as getting a filling. Now that you know what to expect from your root canal, there is nothing to fear. But you probably don’t want another one. So after this, make sure you brush and floss every day to keep those teeth healthy and root canal free.
