Endodontic Treatment in San Jose: What Does It Entail?

A lot of people get uneasy with the mention of endodontic treatment. They associate it with extreme pain, but we can assure you that’s not the case. Many people are misinformed about this procedure, mostly because it used to be quite painful before the introduction or oral sedation.

But with oral sedation, endodontic treatment is as painless as other dental procedures. In this blog, we discuss endodontics in detail. Hopefully, the information will help you make an informed decision. You can count on us if you are looking for a dentist in San Jose.

What is Endodontic Treatment?

Also known as a root canal, endodontic treatment is the treatment and clearing of any disease affecting the dental pulp. If the dental pulp is infected, it leads to a lot of discomforts, and only a root canal can save your natural tooth at this point. If the root canal is not enough to save the tooth, it may have to be extracted to prevent the infection from spreading to the surrounding teeth. The procedure can be conducted by an endodontist or an experienced dentist.

Signs That You Might Need a Root Canal

To increase the chances of saving your tooth with a root canal, it is important to get to the dentist before it is too late. The following signs may indicate there’s an infection spreading on the pulp.

• Extreme teeth sensitivity
• Dental abscess leading to bleeding and swelling on the affected tooth
• Unexplained jaw pain.
• A deep cavity that might be extending to the dental pulp
• Untreated tooth fracture
• Dental trauma affecting the roots of teeth.
• Sinus congestion that might be causing pain while you are chewing.

If you notice any of the above signs, it is only wise to visit the dentist as soon as possible. You can count on us if you are looking for a dentist near you in San Jose.

The Endodontic Treatment Process

Typically, the root canal procedure is completed in three major steps:

Cleaning

First, the dentist will give oral sedation before beginning the procedure. Typically, the oral sedation takes about 60 minutes before it is fully functional. Once you are ready, the dentist will start cleaning the root canal, removing everything, including the disease and dead tissues. He does this by making a small hole on the surface of the target tooth. Because of sedation, you won’t feel any pain.

Filling the Root Canal

The second step is filling the small hole created on the surface of the affected tooth with a rubber-like material. The tooth will seem pretty much healed, but it will be fragile than ever. For that reason, don’t use it to chew things before the dentist adds fillings or crowns to strengthen them.

Adding the Crown

If you prefer a tooth-colored crown, the dentist will add a temporary stainless crown to strengthen your tooth as they make the permanent crown in the dental lab. After a week or two, the permanent crown will be ready. The dentist will place it, and the infected tooth will be pretty much like the other teeth.

Recovery Time

Like most restorative dental procedures, it will take some time before the treated tooth is all healed up. You can speed up the recovery time by following the dentist’s instructions and being mindful of what you eat. Here are a few tips you should keep in mind during the recovery period:

• Avoid disturbing the treated tooth while brushing and flossing your teeth.
• Continue brushing and flossing your teeth.
• Avoid crunchy and sticky foods.
• Eat soft foods like ice creams and thin pasta but avoid hard ones like meat and some vegetables.
• Avoid hot and spicy foods.
• Take painkillers as recommend by the dentist if the pain is too much.
• Talk to your dentist if you face any complications.

Endodontics Complications

The root canal procedure is usually very successful; however, it is not 100% successful. Sometimes the dentist may fail to get rid of all the infections, fail to notice all the root canals or fail to fill the hole appropriately. In such cases, the endodontic treatment may fail. Some of the signs of a root canal failure include:

• Boils on the jaw
• Uncontrollable swelling on the treatment site.
• Increased sensitivity
• Tooth discoloration on the treated tooth.
• Discharge from the treated tooth.
• Uncontrollable pain

Talk to a dentist near you ASAP if you notice some of the above signs for advice and help.

Neeshat S. Khan, DDS

We are here for you if you are looking for exceptional dental services in San Jose. We can help you with preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services. Book an appointment now.