You will remain awake and conscious throughout the root canal but will feel very relaxed. Another common option, conscious oral sedation, is a prescribed sedative pill that you will take before your appointment. It will help you to greatly relax during your procedure.
There are two types of sedation to help people feel at ease during their root canal procedure. During conscious sedation, the patient remains awake. During unconscious sedation, the patient is put to sleep.
The short answer is yes, you'll likely be awake during a root canal. A root canal might sound scary, but these procedures are routine and are used widely to save teeth and reduce pain associated with decay. In most instances, the dentist will apply a local anesthesia to the affected area before getting to work.
Performing Root Canal Treatment
The dentist will apply some topical anesthetic on your gums close to the affected tooth. After the topical anesthetic has taken effect your gums will be injected with a local anesthetic. You will remain awake during the procedure without feeling any pain because of the anesthesia.
Unconscious sedation is unnecessary for root canal treatment - instead, dentists will use a local anaesthesia. Patients with any special requirements may also be provided with nitrous oxide analgesia to help them relax.
Since patients are given anesthesia, a root canal isn't more painful than a regular dental procedure, such as a filling or getting a wisdom tooth removed. However, a root canal is generally a bit sore or numb after the procedure, and can even cause mild discomfort for a few days.
Depending on the amount of infection in your tooth, root canal therapy may require one or two appointments. On average, a root canal takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete. If you are having treatment on a larger tooth with multiple roots, it can take up to an hour and a half.
Most patients get mild symptoms, if any. One comparative study of 168 root canal patients in the International Endodontic Journal cited a pain level hovering just above one on a zero-to-10 scale. Researchers noted that 63% of participants recorded no anterior pain at all.
The root canal procedure is completed in two separate visits to ensure that the tooth is thoroughly cleaned out, sealed up, and protected from further damage.
Can I drive myself home after a root canal? Yes, if you had no sedation for your root canal treatment or only nitrous oxide, you will be able to drive yourself home in most cases. Patients who have conscious oral sedation will need to have someone drive them to and from their appointment.
The number one root canal recovery tip is to get as much rest as possible. Your body is trying to heal and getting an adequate amount of sleep will help you get back to your normal routine asap. When sleeping, make sure to elevate your head in order to minimize the pain from your recently treated dental tooth.
Recovery Time
The amount of time it takes for your mouth to heal from Root Canal Treatment varies from person to person. Generally, it takes about seven to ten days for the tooth and gums to heal properly. You may experience some discomfort during this time, but over-the-counter pain medications can help with that.
Patients should plan to rest the day of their root canal procedure, and most can return to work the very next day. Our bodies need proper healing time, and this time can vary between patients. In most cases we recommend patients can return to work the day after their root canal procedure.
Can the Dentist put me to Sleep for Treatment? The short answer to this question is 'Yes', your dentist can put you to sleep for treatment. However, a technique known as 'conscious sedation' has replaced general anaesthesia in modern dentistry.
In most cases, root canal therapy is a better way to treat an infected tooth than an extraction. However, there are exceptions, such as if the tooth has suffered extreme damage. Your dentist will carefully analyze your oral health before making a treatment recommendation.
Root canals are relatively standard procedures, regardless of who conducts them. Similar to a filling, root canals are typically a same-day, in-house procedure that can take place in your regular dentist's office.
The general rule of thumb is that a dental crown will need to be placed over a tooth that has just received a root canal if the tooth is a premolar, a molar or one of the back grinding teeth. These teeth need to be kept strong as they are used continuously when eating throughout the day.
Because a tooth that needs a root canal usually has a large filling or is weakened from extensive decay, a crown or other restoration usually needs to be placed on it. A crown can help protect the tooth from future damage and return it to normal function. It will also prevent it from breaking.
The maxillary molars, especially the second molars, have the most complicated root canal system in permanent dentition. There are many variations in canal number and configuration in maxillary molars. Treatment may be unsuccessful because the dentist may fail to recognize the unusual canal configuration.
In fact, a root canal treatment relieves pain caused by decay within a tooth. As decay progresses, it can enter the interior known as the pulp, which contains bundles of nerves and blood vessels. It attacks these nerves causing pain and infection.
Root canals are effective procedures, and pain after a root canal is expected. Root canals involve deep cleaning within the canals of your tooth, which can irritate the surrounding nerves and gums. The pain after a root canal shouldn't last forever.
Swelling may increase 48-72 hours before diminishing. Swelling may be worse in the morning and usually subsides as the day continues. Slight bleeding or oozing may discolor saliva up to 24 hours after surgery. This is normal.
Can I exercise after root canal treatment? There is no need for downtime after a root canal treatment, but you should wait until the local anesthetic has worn off completely before exercising.
Avoid chewing sticky foods (especially gum). Avoid biting hard foods and hard substances, such as ice, fingernails and pencils. If possible, chew only on the opposite side of your mouth. It's normal to experience some discomfort for several days after a root canal therapy appointment, especially when chewing.