When you’re experiencing severe tooth pain, the last thing you want to think about is whether or not you need an emergency root canal. But if your situation is bad enough, it’s important to know what to expect from this procedure and how long it will take in order to make an informed decision about your options. Find out all about emergency root canals here!
What Is an Emergency Root Canal?
If you get a toothache, what do you do? If you’re lucky, you can schedule an appointment with your dentist within a week or two. But what if your toothache is throbbing so badly that it keeps you up at night? That’s when an emergency root canal may be in order. These urgent procedures need to be handled right away because they typically involve severe pain and swelling and could lead to more serious problems, like infection. To find out more about how long a root canal takes and why they’re such a big deal, read on!
How Does an Emergency Root Canal Work?
After your dentist identifies a tooth in need of root canal, he or she will numb your gums and draw a thin hollow tube called an endodontic file into your mouth. The tube allows dentists to remove infected tissue from inside a tooth and fill it with a filling made of gutta-percha, an antibacterial material that helps seal off potential entry points for bacteria. When all is said and done, dentists will typically cover the tooth with dental cement, which keeps debris out while allowing gums to heal naturally. On top of feeling no pain during treatment, you might even be able to leave on your own shortly after going home.
Will I Have to Take Time Off From Work?
While you can have a root canal done and get back to work relatively quickly, some cases do require a few days off. Some patients may experience pain or swelling, both of which can lead to more time off work if you need to recover at home. Whether your dentist recommends you stay home depends on your symptoms and how they progress, but if it’s necessary, it’s best not to go into work. If you miss too much time, your employer might put pressure on you because dental emergencies don’t count as personal or family leave (as opposed to going into labor). Your boss will ask questions about how long root canal surgery takes and when he or she thinks it might be OK for you to return.
Getting the Pain Under Control
When you hear that you have a broken tooth, what do you think of? A chipped tooth, perhaps? However, a broken tooth is much more serious. In fact, it’s not uncommon for an individual who has a root canal or another procedure done to feel as if their teeth are still sensitive afterward. Luckily, there are steps you can take before and after your appointment that will minimize your discomfort and help ensure your teeth remain healthy.
The Anatomy of a Broken Tooth
A cracked or broken tooth is a painful, but common dental emergency. But when you’re in pain, it can be hard to remember what exactly is happening inside your mouth. In order to understand how root canal therapy works, you have to first understand how your teeth are put together. Your dentist or endodontist will describe them in these ways: crown, neck, root and pulp chamber. The crown of your tooth is visible when you smile and includes both enamel and dentin (the main ingredients that make up teeth). The tooth’s neck is located underneath its crown and surrounds the roots (the long cells that connect your teeth firmly into your jawbone). It’s protected by a thin membrane called cementum.
Do I Need a Special Anesthetic?
One of your biggest fears after finding out you need a root canal is probably how painful it’s going to be. But don’t panic—you may not need as much anesthetic as you think. Before getting a root canal, your dentist will likely perform X-rays and take several molds of your teeth so they can create replicas called intraoral or wax impressions. These allow dentists to see inside your mouth more clearly and determine whether or not you need a root canal in addition to giving them something sturdy enough for them to work with while they’re pulling on your teeth.
Why Are There Four Canals in My Teeth?
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a tooth may need a root canal. The most common reasons for needing one are tooth decay, fractured teeth or injury. So what’s involved in getting a root canal? Before I go over how long root canals last for, let me explain what exactly is involved in having one done. (Hint: there’s more than meets the eye.) Keep reading…
How Long Will the Procedure Take?
It can be a little scary when you’re put in a situation where you’re forced to get a root canal. The first step towards getting back on your feet after an emergency root canal is following your dentist’s instructions carefully and doing what he or she tells you. It sounds simple, but being well-rested, hydrated, and having someone there for support are all extremely important for your recovery process. After that, follow these tips for how long is a root canal
Getting Back on Your Feet After an Emergency Root Canal
If you’ve had an emergency root canal and need to get back on your feet as quickly as possible, these three tips will help. Do you ever find yourself wondering what an emergency root canal is? If so, then it’s time for a brief education. An emergency root canal, also known as a crisis root canal, is most often needed when pain becomes so severe that your dentist advises you that you must have treatment at once or risk infection or even loss of tooth. The key here is pain; pain alone does not necessarily mean that a tooth has been attacked by bacteria and in need of immediate attention. However, severe or persistent pain almost always means something has gone wrong with your tooth.
