ROOT CANAL TREATMENT NEAR FALMOUTH, ME
Root canals have a worrisome reputation, but this procedure is truthfully very safe and comfortable with the help of today’s modern technologies. Dr. McVety may recommend root canal therapy if you’re struggling with a tooth that is extremely pained and/or sensitive, which are usually telltale signs that an advanced infection is present. By accessing the inner pulp and removing dangerous bacteria from within, our team can help the tooth remain stable in your smile for many years to come. Contact Casco Bay Smiles today if you’re in need of immediate pain relief or if you have any questions.
Why Choose Casco Bay Smiles for Root Canal Therapy in the Portland, ME Area?
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Sedation Dentistry Available
- At Casco Bay Smiles, we care about your dental experience and want to provide a comfortable and anxiety-free atmosphere. That’s why we offer sedation dentistry to our patients who need extra help during their root canal therapy. We take every measure possible to ensure you feel relaxed and at ease during your entire visit.
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Revolutionary CBCT Scanner For Outstanding Diagnostic Precision
- Our state-of-the-art technology enables greater evaluation and identification of oral issues than ever before, allowing our team to provide more customized, effective treatments for our patients. We strive to give you peace of mind knowing you are receiving only the highest quality care. At Casco Bay Smiles, we’re dedicated to helping everyone smile brighter, confident in our ability to provide quality and reliable diagnostics.
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Comfortable, Spa-Like Office Environment
- Our Falmouth, Maine, dental office is designed with your comfort in mind. We understand that root canal therapy can be stressful. That's why we provide a comfortable environment for all our patients with amenities like warm neck wraps and eye pillows to help you relax during your visit. Patients are welcome to enjoy aromatherapy patches and paraffin hand treatments or tune out entirely by using noise-cancelling headphones while watching movies on HDTV. We strive to make every patient's visit with us feel comfortable and relaxed-- like coming home! Contact us today.
What is Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal therapy is a common procedure at our Falmouth, ME, dental office to treat infection and inflammation in the tooth's innermost layer. It’s usually recommended when a cavity becomes too large for a dental filling or if an infection has spread to the pulp chamber. Root canal therapy can help stop the spread of infection and save your tooth from being extracted.
What Happens During Root Canal Therapy?
Root canal treatment is typically done at our Falmouth office in two steps. The first step involves numbing and cleaning out the infected area of your tooth. This includes removing damaged or decayed tissue and reshaping any remaining tissue in the pulp chamber to fill it with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Then a temporary filling is inserted to prevent bacteria from re-entering. The second step involves placing a permanent crown on top to protect your tooth and restore its function.
What to Expect After Root Canal Treatment
After a root canal, you might experience sensitivity for the first few days. This is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. These symptoms should subside in as little as one to two weeks. If your pain continues, however, don’t hesitate to call our dental office near Portland, Maine.
The Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
There are several advantages to getting root canal therapy instead of extracting your tooth. For one thing, it helps preserve your natural tooth structure, which means you don’t have to worry about replacing it with another cosmetic restoration like bridges or implants.
Plus, root canal therapy usually takes less time than extraction, so you won’t have to miss as many days from work or school while recovering from treatment. And, since root canals are designed to last for many years, you won’t have to worry about the tooth needing additional therapies in the future—unless there is another underlying issue that needs attention.
Root canal therapy offers additional benefits beyond just relieving tooth pain. Root canal treatment can stop the spread of infection, reduce symptoms and even protect your jawbone from damage.
Root Canal FAQs
How Long Does It Take to Recover from a Root Canal?
While recovery time will differ for everyone, many patients find that they are able to return to work or school the day after their root canal.
If your job requires physical labor, you should try to take at least the next two or three days off. Vigorous activity or exercise can make the healing process take longer by diverting blood from your treated tooth.
Your mouth will likely be sore for the next few days. Be sure to take your prescription or over-the-counter pain reliever as directed by Dr. McVety.
During the initial healing period, be sure to eat only soft foods, and chew on the opposite side of your mouth that had the root canal. You can brush and floss normally but be gentle around the treated tooth.
Should you experience pain that worsens instead of improving after about three days (or any signs of infection such as fever or swelling) please call Dr. McVety as soon as possible.
How Much Pain is Normal After a Root Canal?
While your root canal procedure itself shouldn’t hurt, it is normal to experience some discomfort and soreness over the next few days.
Once the numbness from the procedure wears off, you’ll likely experience some mild pain and sensitivity, but this should only be temporary, and over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen should be enough to manage it.
Avoid chewing any hard or tough foods during your recovery period, as these may worsen the pain.
Discomfort should start to subside after about three days, but if it doesn’t, please call Dr. McVety right away.
Can I Eat Before a Root Canal?
If you’re being sedated for your root canal, you may be asked to fast for a few hours prior to your procedure to reduce the risk of nausea caused by the sedative.
If you won’t be undergoing sedation, we recommend that you eat a healthy meal at least a few hours before your root canal. Be sure to brush your teeth well before your appointment if you do. Your mouth will be numb following the procedure, which will make it difficult to eat later.
Be sure to avoid drinking alcohol for at least 24 hours before your root canal, as it could interact negatively with the local anesthetic we use to numb your mouth.
How Long Do Root Canals Last?
The great news is that root canals have an incredibly high success rate. In fact, most teeth that have been treated with a root canal go on to provide full chewing function for many years, or even a lifetime.
The longevity of your root canal will depend on a variety of factors, including the extent of damage to your tooth and how much time elapsed between placing your temporary crown and your permanent crown or filling. If too much time has passed, the tooth could be vulnerable to reinfection.
To help give your root canal the best odds possible, be sure to follow Dr. McVety’s post-op instructions and practice excellent oral hygiene.