How To Restore A Tooth After Root Canal Treatment?

Root Canal - X-ray

How to restore a tooth after root canal treatment?

A root canal therapy is a major dental procedure, so it’s normal to experience some pain and discomfort. The procedure involves deep cleaning of the inner chamber of the root, otherwise known as the canal. This process can, in turn, irritate the surrounding nerve tissues. However, the pain associated with the procedure shouldn’t last forever. In any case, the procedure is meant to help you avoid pain related to a fractured or decaying tooth.

Within the first 7-10 days after the procedure, the chances are high that you will experience some pain and discomfort. Within the second week, the area should start feeling better and normally by the third week you will have fully recovered, and the tooth should normally be functioning. If your tooth goes beyond this time before getting back to normal, then an infection must have occurred in the bone surrounding the tissue. In such a case, you will need to go back to your dentist for further cleaning. However, statistics have it that only 3% of root canal therapy procedure fail in a period of three years.

This article is going to discuss more about root canal and how to restore a tooth after root canal treatment.

What is Root Canal?

For beginners, it is important to know and understand what exactly the root canal procedure is. Root canal treatment, also known as root canal therapy is a straightforward dental treatment to relieve dental pain and save your teeth. The treatment is undertaken when a patient has an infection or inflammation in the roots of a tooth. During the treatment, an endodontist who is a specialist, specializing in such a treatment, carefully cleans out the pulp inside the tooth, disinfects and shapes the root canal. He/she then places some dental fillings to seal the space.

Signs and Symptoms that You Might Require a Root Canal

– Tooth Pain

Tooth pain is one of the most obvious things that you may need to undergo root canal treatment. Pain that may require tooth canal treatment is different from other tooth pains since it gets worse when biting down, eating or when you apply any pressure. However, you should note that tooth pain does not always symbolize the need of root canal. In fact, in some instances, a tooth that requires root canal may not even hurt. Though when you are experiencing some pain in your tooth, it might be a tale-tell sign that you might require the procedure. Visit your dentist, he/she will be able to determine if your kind of pain require a root canal.

– Swelling and Gum Tenderness

Swelling and gum tenderness may not always indicate the need for a root canal. However, when it is associated with some pain, it might be a sign that your tooth requires root canal therapy. Swelling can occur in different types. Sometimes the gums may seem normal, but they have some tenderness, and other times it might be an obvious lump that can be easily felt or seen. Irrespective of the type of your swelling visit your dentist to determine if you need a root canal.

– General Feeling of Illness

Tender or swollen lymph nodes, fever and a general feeling of illness may be an indicator that you need a root canal therapy. This is especially true when these warning signs are associated with other signs such as tender and swollen gums. If you’re facing any of the above warning signs, make sure you have informed your dentist as soon as possible. Also, try your best and desist from diagnosing yourself.

– Sensitivity

A majority of people in Australia are suffering from sensitive teeth. Just because you have sensitive teeth does not necessarily mean that you require root canal treatment. However, people that their sensitivity does not go away even after the hot or cold element is removed may require root canal treatment.

Root Canal Therapy Procedure

Root canal therapy involves several steps to restore a deeply infected tooth. The entire procedure can take place over one or two dental visits. The number of visits you will need to get the entire job done depends on the position of the tooth being treated as well as the number of teeth to be treated.

Root canal therapy for front teeth tends to be more straightforward since they are easier to access and their canals are generally wider and straighter. This means that filling a tooth located on the front part of the mouth is easier to complete compared to a tooth located at the back of the mouth. However, the treatment might slightly vary depending on the clinic, but the steps involved are generally the same. Here are some of the steps involved:
– X-ray and Anaesthesia

The dentist will start by taking the x-ray of the root to be treated to determine its structure, signs of infections to the surrounding bone and the extent of infection. The x-rays determine the extent of the dental work required for the procedure. After the x-rays, the dentist will inject you with some local anaesthesia to numb the area before commencing with the actual treatment. The type of anaesthesia to be used depends on the level of your anxiety. In case the nerves are already dead, then the dentist may fail to use anaesthesia. However, most dentists prefer using it to their patients to kill any pain or discomfort that may arise during the procedure.

– Nerve Extraction

After the anaesthesia has kicked in, your dentist will then use a rubber sheet separate the tooth from the rest of the mouth.This normally serves three purposes. First, it protects the tooth from any bacterial infections from the tooth. Second, it protects you from swallowing and chocking from any debris or tools that the dentist may fall into your mouth. Lastly, it allows you to swallow in the normal way during the procedure. It is possible for the dentist to complete this procedure without necessarily using a dam. However, according to the Australian Dental Association, a dental dam also contributes to the success of the procedure.

Using a drill, the dentist will then make a hole on top of the tooth or at the back of the front tooth. This will help the dentist access the root system and the pulp chamber. He/she will then use some tiny little files to clear away any dead nerve tissues and pulp from inside the tooth root. Root canals are often curved and thin, so it might take the dentist sometime before he can access and remove all the dead tissues. Often, they use some bright lighting and microscope to help them see right inside the tooth. In case you have an abscess at the end of your tooth, this is the point where your dentist will drain it. Removing the dead tissue from a tooth may take some few hours, especially for a tooth with several roots.

– Cleaning

Next, the dentist will thoroughly clean the root using some clean water and an antibacterial solution. Cleaning might also be done several times during the filling process as well. The dentist will use a syringe to help him squirt some water into the tooth and pull it back out. He/she will repeat this process several times until he/she ensures that the root is clean and free from any infections. If your tooth is too complex and cannot be completed using a single visit, the dentist will fill the place using some antibacterial solution and then fill it using a temporary filling. This will help protect the tooth between the visits.

– Root Filling

Once all the above processes have been handled, it is now time to fill the canals. Usually, this is performed with the help of a thermoplastic material that can be softened by heat to fit the exact shape of the root canal chamber. Your dentist will insert some thin cones into the canal and then use some heat to compress them and ensure complete filling. During this step, it is important for the dentist to ensure that the canal completely fills. Otherwise, the risk of becoming re-infected may be high. Once the root is filled, the dentist will fill the remaining space just like a normal filling. This will add a protective layer to prevent any infection from re-occurring.

– Crowning (Optional)

After a root canal treatment, the treated tooth is usually fragile. Due to this, your dentist might recommend that you try using a dental crown. A crown is a protective layer worn over a tooth made of metal or porcelain. It helps in covering the entire tooth to protect it from any further damage. For the crown to be fixed properly, your dentist will have to remove some of the enamel from the tooth. Once the crown is fixed, it will function and feel just like a normal tooth. However, your dentist might have to wait for some few weeks before placing a crown on your tooth. This will help in ensuring that the infection does not re-occur.

How to Recover a Tooth after Root Canal Treatment

Root canal procedure is a dental procedure done as a last resort to save the tooth from extraction. Thus, the procedure is only done when the patient is suffering from agonising pain that has its origin from the pulp. However, once the entire treatment is over, a majority of people often wonder what measures they should undertake to restore their tooth to normal functioning. Here are a number of things that you can do to restore a tooth after root canal treatment.

Initial Recovery

Traditionally, root canal procedure was extremely painful. This is the reason why most people dreaded undertaking the procedure and thus avoided taking up the required treatment. Today, the dentist has come up with some new methods that can help reduce the amount of pain you experience during the procedure. Before the process begins, the dentist will first apply anaesthesia as mentioned above. Although you might still feel some pressure while cleaning, you shouldn’t feel any pain during the actual procedure.

How to Manage Pain After the procedure

After the procedure, the local anaesthesia will start wearing off. As this happens, you will start feeling some mild pain and sensitivity. While it might be uncomfortable, the pain is only meant to last for some few days. It is important that you cease from taking any foods or drinks for at least some few hours after the treatment or at least the numbness wears off. To manage the pain after the procedure, you can take some over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

If you still experience pain even after taking the painkillers or you experience any other side effects, you should contact your dentist immediately. This may be a sign of an unsuccessful root canal procedure, or it might signify that you need additional dental care. Also, you might consider undertaking meant to relieve stress as pain management method. Such activities include yoga, meditation and tai chi.

Diet

Immediately after having a root canal, you might not have much appetite, but soon after it is important, you avoid sticky and hard foods. Due to the natural sensitivity that will arise from the procedure, it is important that you take soft foods. Here are some foods you can take after the procedure:

– Fruits

Some fruits are quite soft and would make an excellent type of food for you to take after a root canal treatment. Taking soft fruits is not only good for your teeth but also for your overall health. Fruits such as banana, mangos, and peaches are a great option. Fruits will also give you the necessary nutrients your body needs during the healing process.

– Vegetable Soups

Taking vegetables will provide you with the right type of nutrients to speed up your healing process. Vegetable soups served at a lukewarm temperature is an ideal option. Vegetable soup will help avoid any injury that might occur on the tooth.

– Dairy

It is easy to take creamy foods after a root canal since these foods do not require much chewing. Foods like milk, yogurt and ice cream are good for you after a root canal treatment.

– Eggs

Eggs are also perfect since they are rich in protein. Irrespective of whether you take them scrambled, boiled or fried, they form a great snack when you are recovering from root canal treatment.

Foods to Avoid

  • Do not eat any crunchy, hard, sticky or chewy foods. Such foods might be abrasive to your tooth after a root canal treatment. Chocolate, nuts, and cereals are some of the foods to avoid during the recovery period.
  • Hot and spicy foods should also be avoided by all means. They can cause discomfort and sensitivity.
  • Also, it is advisable that you avoid taking alcohol as it may lead to excessive bleeding.

Oral Hygiene Tips

Maintaining proper dental hygiene measures can help alleviate pain after a root canal treatment. It can also help your newly installed crown to last for years while protecting your tooth. Here are some few oral hygiene measures you should consider while recovering from a root canal.

– Brush Your Teeth Gently

Try and employ some extra caution when you are brushing around the treated area. The tooth and the surrounding gums still require proper dental care, so try and be gentle but thorough. You might experience some minor sensitivity while brushing, but you still need to do it to prevent any bacterial infection from reoccurring. Proper brushing also speeds up the healing process.

– Floss at least Once a Day

Flossing at least once a day helps in preventing any future infections. It may be a bit challenging to floss around the treated tooth, but take your time and do it gently. If you experience any difficulty with your flossing, make sure you contact your dentist for reshaping of the filling.

– Get a Crown Placed

As much as placing a crown is optional, you can choose to undertake the procedure as an additional measure to protect your tooth. A crown helps to protect the tooth from any damage.

– Visit Your Dentist for Regular Cleaning

Visiting your dentist regularly for dental cleaning is very important in ensuring that you maintain good care for your root canal. It will help keep your teeth clean and healthy while protecting you from any future infections.

Avoid using that Tooth

If your dentist has not yet covered, your tooth with a crown or dental filling, desist from using it. Using the treated tooth increases the risk of infecting or contaminating the tooth.

Take a Rest

It’s highly advisable that you take a rest for at least 24 hours after the treatment. Resting will help your root canal heal faster. If your dentist recommends that you take a rest for a longer time, please adhere to his/her advice, it is extremely important for your recovery. Taking a rest gives the tissues around your treated tooth time to recuperate.

How Long Does the Recovery Take?

The recovery after a root canal treatment takes place between a few days to a few weeks. You may experience a dull pain and some inflammation within the first few days after the procedure, but this will soon fade away as time goes by. However, it will not take you much time before you go back to your normal eating of hard foods. As mentioned above, most of the pain and discomfort can be managed using over the counter drugs. However, visit your dentist as soon as possible if the pain is sharp and persistent.

Possible Complications Arising from Root Canal Procedure

Root canal procedure tends to have a very high success rate despite the fact it is a very invasive dental procedure. However, there are some few instances when root canal does not go as it was expected. Some complications can occur during or after the treatment. While your dentist can anticipate some of the complications, most of them can never be anticipated. Fortunately, most of the root canal complications are manageable. Here are some of the complications:

– Re-infection

Sometimes, root canal treatment can be unsuccessful due to reinfection. There are quite a number of reasons that can lead to reinfection. Such reasons include exposure through a fracture, failure to clean properly, Use of low-quality filler and complex root formation. In case you get a reinfection, you will have to visit a well-trained dentist to decide whether the tooth can be fixed or it must be extracted. The decision that your dentist will make depends on the primary cause of infection.

– Fractured Root or Crown

Removal of nerves from the root leaves the root without any supply of nutrients and oxygen. This makes it a little fragile. Fractures on the root or crown can occur before, during or after the treatment. Depending on how severe your situation is, the dentist will advise appropriately if the condition can be fixed or you will have to undergo an extraction. In most cases, fractures after a root canal occur due to teeth grinding and biting of tough objects.

– Missed Root Canal

A normal tooth has about four roots which are made up of complex canals. In a complex procedure to remove the canal, the dentist can sometimes miss a canal. Canals that are crooked in shape may not be well accessible during bleaching. Also, if there are enough bacteria logged in there, then some problems with the root may arise.

A root canal is the most inclusive dental procedure that can save your tooth from extraction. A majority of people associate the procedure with a lot of pain that even make some to fear to undertake the procedure. However, with the technological advancements and techniques in the dental industry, the procedure is painless, and you will experience very minimal discomfort. In any case, root canal treatment helps you to alleviate pain and discomfort that comes with exposed roots.
Statistics have it that the root canal procedure has a high success rate of about 97%. This means that there is a slim risk of any complications. However, to restore your tooth after the treatment, you need to employ certain measures as discussed in the article. Also, inform your dentist in case you have any problem with your treated root.

Related Posts

What Are The Consequences of Delaying a Root Canal?
A Patient’s guide to Root Canals
Root Canal – FAQs
Know All About Root Canal Therapy- Inside Out
Dental Root Canal-Things You Need to Know Before Seeing A Dentist
What is Root Canal Treatment?