Endodontics

Common Questions

How much pain will I have AFTER treatment?

Most patients will experience moderate discomfort after treatment. It is normal, not to be able to chew or bite on the area of the tooth that was treated. The tooth itself, will feel very tender to touch, pressure or tapping therefore It is important to have a soft diet and to follow your doctors directions on the use of recommended medication. After treatment, most patients will return to work or their regular daily activities.

Most patients will respond favorably to anti-inflammatories 3 times a day, for the first 3-5 days after treatment. If you cannot take anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, Advil, Motrin or Ibuprofen, be sure to discuss it with Dr. Noguera. A replacement medication will be suggested.

Will my Tooth Discolor AFTER Root Canal Treatment?

With all the new technology and the development of finer dental materials, your tooth should NOT discolor after root canal treatment. If you have a tooth that had root canal treatment and is now discolored, you should have it evaluated by the endodontist. Many times, it is possible to perform a simple treatment called "Non-vital Bleaching" to whiten the dark tooth. This procedure requires the specialist to re-enter the old root canal to lighten the tooth from the "inside". This is not to be confused with regular over-the-counter bleaching which lighten the tooth on the outer surface.

How does the "nerve" becomes damaged or Infected?

The nerve, also known as the pulp, will become infected or damaged because of bacterial penetration. Bacteria are a normal host in the mouth and saliva, but when it gets inside the tooth, via a defective filling, decay or a fracture, it becomes pathologic. The time frame for this to occur varies. sometimes, it can be very fast and painful and other times it is a slow painless process in which the patient is unaware until it is significantly advanced.

Root canal myths

Root Canals Hurt

With modern technology and better anesthetics root canal treatments are no more painful than having a filling. Knowing what to expect while having a root canal can help ease a lot of anxiety. We will take every measure to ensure that your procedure is comfortable and not painful. If treatment is needed, we will inject a sufficient amount of anesthesia to numb a concentrated area of your mouth. For most patients, the feeling of numbness usually subsides after 2-3 hours.

If the Tooth Doesn’t Hurt, There is No Need for a Root Canal

While a throbbing toothache usually results in the need for root canal treatment, many times a tooth can require root canal treatment when there is no pain present. Dr. Noguera is specially trained to test a tooth to see if the pulp has been infected or damaged. If this is the case, a root canal would be necessary to save the tooth.

Extracting (Pulling) the Tooth is Better than Getting a Root Canal

Keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is very important for proper eating and chewing functions. There are several options available for missing teeth, such as complete dentures, partial dentures, dental implants and fixed dental bridges. These alternatives, however, can be much more expensive than saving your tooth with a root canal treatment.

Sometimes a tooth is fractured down into the bone, or has lost too much of the visible structure due to decay. If the prognosis of your tooth is unfavorable, then it is best to consider extraction.