You need root canal treatment. That is probably the last thing you want to hear your Dolton, IL dentist say. We understand. The procedure has a bad reputation. But there is something important that you need to know. That painful root canal you have heard about is a myth. The procedure is nothing to fear. It is something to look forward to because it can put an end to toothaches and painful abscesses. Furthermore, it saves your tooth.

What happens during a root canal procedure?

Here at Pleasant Dental®, we live up to our name. That means we make your experience pleasant. Yes, even root canal treatment.

• If the tooth is seriously infected and inflamed, we will start by prescribing antibiotics. That is because the infection and inflammation can keep the anesthetic from working well. We are not going to perform the procedure until the infection is sufficiently under control, that we are sure we can make you comfortable.
• Before beginning any work, we will completely numb the area with a local anesthetic. That means you will not feel anything except maybe a little pressure while your dentist works.
• The next step involves a thorough cleansing of the inside of the tooth. Tiny instruments are used to remove all the infected and damaged tissue comfortably. Then the area is sterilized to kill any lingering bacteria.
• Once your tooth is cleaned out, we fill it using special material to seal out bacteria. That is to prevent re-infection.
• The final step is restoring and repairing your tooth, usually with a dental crown.

How long does it take to recover?

If you are expecting a long, slow, painful recovery period, then you are in for a pleasant surprise. When the anesthetic wears off, the area around your tooth might be a little sore. That should only last for a few days. In the meantime, you should avoid chewing overly hard foods, and you can take over-the-counter pain medication if needed.

Although every patient is slightly different, your tooth will probably feel just fine in less than a week. It will probably feel better than it has in a long time. That is because broken or infected teeth usually hurt. The root canal procedure eliminates the cause of the pain.

Is root canal treatment always painless?

Because we follow a specific pain minimizing plan, the vast majority of root canal treatments are painless in our office. At Pleasant Dental®, we do everything possible to provide painless dentistry no matter what the procedure is.

If you want to see a dentist who makes your comfort a top priority, then call us at (708) 576-1900 for an appointment.