If you’ve been told you need a root canal, you may be feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity about the procedure. Root canals are a commonly performed dental treatment aimed at saving a severely damaged or infected tooth. To help ease your concerns, we’re sharing some helpful information about your root canal therapy procedure.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is a dental procedure that involves removing the infected or damaged pulp from the inside of a tooth. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. When it becomes infected or inflamed due to deep decay, a cracked tooth, or repeated dental procedures, a root canal may be necessary.
How To Prepare for a Root Canal
Preparing for a root canal involves a few simple steps to ensure a smooth procedure. On the day of the appointment, eating a light meal or nothing before the treatment is safe. It’s also essential to follow any preoperative instructions provided, such as taking prescribed antibiotics or avoiding certain medications. Picking up any prescriptions for post-root canal treatment, requesting recovery time off work if necessary, and arranging a ride home are also advised to prepare for a root canal.
Post Root Canal Recovery
After the root canal procedure, it is critical to follow recovery instructions to heal completely. The most important part will be managing pain and guarding your tooth against infection. This may include eating soft foods the days after the procedure as well as maintaining good oral hygiene.
Schedule Root Canal Therapy in Corvallis, OR
Understanding what a root canal entails can make the procedure seem like any other dental treatment. At Corvallis Dental Group, we encourage you to maintain regular preventive dentistry visits to avoid treatments like root canal therapy, but should a root canal be necessary, we have you covered. Contact our Corvallis, OR team today for any of your dental needs!
