How to Choose the Best Time to Get a Root Canal Treatment?
Maximize your root canal treatment by knowing the best time to complete the procedure. In this post, we’ll explore the ideal time for a root canal and the factors affecting the timing.
What Are the Signs That I Need to Get Root Canal Treatment?
It’s necessary when your tooth’s internal pulp gets infected or swollen. It refers to the soft tissue within your tooth storing the nerves and blood vessels.
Here are the signs and symptoms it’s time to get root canal treatment:
- Severe and persistent tooth pain
- Heightened sensitivity to hot and cold
- Inflammation
- Redness and tenderness of gums
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- A loose tooth
- Decay
It’s crucial to seek professional dental care ASAP when you experience any of the symptoms mentioned. If not, you may face further complications and gradual pain.
3 Factors Affecting the Timing of Getting a Root Canal
From your tooth’s infection severity to your health — many factors can affect the timing of a root canal treatment. These play a role in when the procedure’s scheduled.
The Severity of Your Tooth Infection
If you’re facing a severe infection, your dentist may recommend getting root canal treatment ASAP. It stops the bacteria from your infected tooth from spreading to the rest of your healthy teeth.
Meanwhile, mild cases may leave your dentist to prescribe you antibiotics first. It’ll help control your tooth infection before they perform the procedure and help them decide whether you need a single- or a multi-visit.
Your Health
Your overall health is another crucial factor when deciding the best time to get a root canal. Whether it’s diabetes or heart disease, your dentist may need to consult your physician before confirming your suitability for the treatment.
Usually, they go through these things as some medical conditions can increase the risk of complications during a root canal.
Your Dentist’s Schedule
Your dentist’s schedule may also play a role in deciding the best time to get root canal treatment. Some instances may prompt your dentist to perform the root canal ASAP. Meanwhile, others may encourage you to schedule an appointment later.
Regardless, your dentist will closely work with you to determine the best time to get root canal treatment.
Choosing the Best Time to Get a Root Canal Treatment
Generally, the best time to get root canal treatment is when experiencing persistent pain and sensitivity. Still, it’ll depend on several factors.
For instance, if you have a packed schedule, book a dental appointment during your less hectic days. It’ll give you enough time to recover from the dental procedure without hindering your everyday life.
Aside from that, it would be best to consider how long it will take you to head to the dentist. See when’s the best time you can go to your dental appointment without interrupting your plans. It’ll give you enough time to recover from the treatment before traveling.
Finally, your dental insurance coverage is the last factor you must consider. After all, some policies have specific waiting periods before you can cover certain dental procedures. Therefore, check with your provider if they cover root canal treatment.
What to Expect During Root Canal Treatment?
Let’s look at the root canal treatment and what you can expect.
Examination
You’ll need to consult your dentist for a thorough examination before getting the treatment. During this, your dentist will examine your teeth and take x-rays, checking the extent of the damage on your the affected tooth.
Moreover, they’ll explain the procedure to you and answer any questions.
Administering Anesthesia
Dentists perform root canal treatment under local anesthesia, keeping the entire procedure pain-free. Usually, they’ll apply a numbing agent on the surrounding area of your affected tooth.
Accessing the Damaged or Infected Pulp
Once numb, your dentist will create a miniature hole on the top of your tooth to reach the damaged pulp. Once made, they will use small dental instruments to remove the remaining blood vessels and nerves in the canal.
Cleaning and Reshaping
After removing the infected pulp, your dentist will clean and reshape the canal within your tooth. They do this to ensure the infected material has been wiped out, preparing it for filling.
Adding the Filling
After cleaning and shaping the canal, your dentist will fill it with specialized dental material. Usually, it has a rubber-like consistency, filling the space left by the removed pulp.
Sealing
Your dentist will seal the newly-cleaned tooth with a temporary dental filling to fill the canal. It’ll protect your newly-filled tooth until the placement of the final restoration.
Final Restoration
After the root canal treatment, you must pick a restoration method for your tooth. Often, patients choose dental crowns, caps placed over the tooth for a newer and better smile.
The Bottom Line
Root canal treatment’s the best solution for infected and damaged teeth. And the best time to get this procedure is once you begin experiencing pain or heightened sensitivity. But this isn’t guaranteed, considering different factors like your health and your dentist’s schedule can impact the time.
With Samaritan Dental, you don’t need to second guess when to get root canal treatment. We’re one call away for fast scheduling of consultations (619) 344-0475.
