How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Root Canal?

If you’re experiencing tooth discomfort and pain, you may need root canal treatment. Your dentist will refer you to our practice and our endodontic team can determine if a root canal is necessary rather than a simple filling or a crown.  We will provide all of the information you need about the root canal treatment as well as the recovery process.

When is a Root Canal Needed?

Let’s take a look at why a root canal treatment may be necessary. Any severe, persistent tooth pain might indicate the need for a root canal.

Sometimes, dental decay can affect the pulp inside of a tooth. That pulp is made of connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues, all of which help your teeth stay healthy. If the pulp becomes inflamed or gets infected, it can be serious, as an infection can even spread to surrounding teeth, affecting your overall health as well as your oral health.

To prevent that, root canal treatment is an excellent solution, especially if you have a tooth that’s decayed and the decay has reached the pulp, causing an infection, so that a filling is no longer an option.

What Does a Root Canal Involve?

During your root canal treatment, one of our endodontists will carefully remove the affected pulp. Once the inside chamber of the tooth is emptied, your dentist will thoroughly sterilize the cavity to remove any debris that’s left over. Then the tooth is sealed with a special material to prevent infection, and create a crown to place over the tooth, if necessary to protect the tooth from any further damage.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Root Canal?

Before your root canal treatment is scheduled, during your consultation, our endodontic team will give you helpful guidelines and instructions for aftercare, so that you can make sure the area heals properly after treatment.

Healing after a root canal is surprisingly quick. You may experience some slight swelling and sensitivity while chewing, but as long as you follow the aftercare instructions, you should start feeling back to normal in a couple of days. Most post-treatment symptoms are mild and require over-the-counter analgesics.

And, while you need time for proper healing following root canal treatment, you don’t need to let it change your usual activities. Most people can go back to work following the procedure.

Tips for Faster Healing

Additionally, you can help to facilitate the healing process by following some simple tips, such as:

• Do not chew or drink and hot liquids until the anesthetic has completely worn off
• Take the pain medication your dentist prescribes or recommends
• Favor the side of your mouth that had the root canal treatment for a few days
• Return to your general dentist for a permanent restoration to avoid re-infection
• Avoid anything that can cause inflammation, such as spicy foods or alcohol
• Don’t hesitate to call our office if you have any questions or concerns

Learn more about Root Canals

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, or to schedule an exam or consultation, reach out to us today and schedule an appointment at one of our six North Shore and Brookline-area locations. We’ll discuss the best treatment plan for you. And if a root canal is necessary, the procedure is simple and efficient, and healing is quick with our state-of-the art technology and skilled endodontic team.