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In the recent past, was your tooth hurting? You might’ve gone to the dentist about it, but they recommended getting a root canal to fix the problem. If you’ve been putting it off, then you might’ve noticed one day that your pain is gone. While this may seem like good news, should you still get the treatment your provider said? Here’s how it may be more important than ever.
What Stopped My Tooth Pain?
If you had a toothache and needed a root canal, it was likely an infection causing your discomfort. It might’ve felt intense, but that’s because bacteria are attacking the inner pulp of your tooth. When left untreated, enough damage might’ve been done to the nerve that it can’t send out signals anymore. While the structure no longer hurts, the underlying issue persists.
Do I Still Need a Root Canal?
A vanishing toothache is actually a bigger dental emergency than a tooth infection. This dental problem can’t heal on its own. The bacteria are more likely to spread across your smile and cause a bigger headache. Thankfully, a root canal can prevent the issue from getting worse. You will be able to preserve as much of your grin and avoid needing costly replacements.
What Happens During a Root Canal?
Many patients often push back their root canal because they think it’s a painful procedure that does more harm than good. Don’t believe this myth! This treatment is made as comfortable as possible with powerful local anesthesia.
Your dentist will simply open the affected tooth with specialized instruments and remove the infected pulp. The roots are disinfected, cleaned, and sealed. You may need a crown afterward to help you restore the function of the structure.
During this process, you are likely to feel pressure and some vibrations, but not outright pain. In fact, people often say it feels like getting a filling done! Expect to feel sore afterward, but this is normal. You will be able to manage it with over-the-counter medications, and it shouldn’t last as long as your past toothache.
In the end, you can feel confident that a root canal will get rid of the issue and give you back your comfortable smile.
About the Author
Dr. Ivan Paskalev earned his second dental degree from Tufts University. He has worked in three different countries, giving him a wide range of experience that he uses to treat patients in Eugene. Dr. Paskalev is proud to offer same-day urgent visits for when your tooth is in pain. Whether the fix is with a root canal or another service, you can feel confident that you’ll get a reliable solution. If your tooth suddenly stopped hurting, the fastest way to schedule an appointment is by calling his office at 541-485-0272.