Managing root canal pain and when to seek therapy in Tucson, AZ
Receiving root canal therapy is a significant dental procedure that should be handled with precision and care. Dr. Colby Echols and his team at Swan Dental have been serving patients in the Tucson, AZ area for over a decade. Through his work, Dr. Echols has become a valued member of the community and is a trusted dentist for anybody needing root canal therapy.
Due to the invasiveness of root canal therapy, experiencing some degree of discomfort afterwards is completely normal. Root canal therapy involves a dentist drilling deep into the tooth to remove infected pulp and nerve tissue from the inner chamber of the root. This, as you can imagine, can cause irritation to surrounding nerves and gum tissue. The discomfort shouldn’t last too long post-procedure (normally just a day or two). It’s important to recognize the difference between expected discomfort and pain which could point to a bigger problem.
When to Seek Help
In the past, patients would often avoid root canal therapy due to the amount of pain that was associated with it. Modern techniques have eliminated much of the pain that is experienced during the procedure, resulting in more patients seeking treatment to address dental issues. That is not to say that there is not still some level of discomfort associated with recovery from the procedure, because there almost certainly will be some discomfort after.
Patients who experience pain after their root canal therapy should feel their discomfort decrease over time. If you are 2-3 days out from when your procedure occurred and still feeling pain, you may want to reach out to your dentist for a follow up visit. Recurring pain could be indicative of a need for cleaning sessions around the root canal site.
Pain Management
Most patients will be able to manage their pain with over the counter drugs such as ibuprofen or Tylenol. Taking these at recommended intervals should ease any discomfort you are experiencing. In some cases, when the pain is more severe, your dentist may prescribe stronger medication such as prescription-strength ibuprofen or narcotic pain relievers to be taken on a very temporary basis. Beyond medication, there are some recommendations that your dentist will inform you about which will help mitigate any discomfort, including:
- Avoid any hard or crunchy foods until discomfort resolves
- Avoid smoking and using other tobacco products
- Make sure and take care of your teeth. Follow prescribed oral hygiene practices.
Once your tooth is fully treated and healed, it may be elected for crown placement to further protect the tooth. A crown can be produced from metal, gold, or porcelain with the purpose of preventing further damage to your tooth, which is already in a delicate state post-root canal. A crown placement provides strength and protection for the tooth.
Even through proper oral hygiene, many of us may still have to confront the reality of root canal therapy. There is nothing to fear as Dr. Echols employs modern root canal therapy techniques to minimize any pain his patients may experience. Even still, there will be some discomfort once the therapy has been completed. It’s important to recognize the difference between expected discomfort and any irregular pain that may need to be addressed by Dr. Echols. If you need root canal therapy or need to set up an appointment to address any pain you are currently experiencing related to such a procedure, please give Swan Dental a call today at (520) 595-3655.
Dr. Colby Echols, DDS
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Dr. Colby Echols received his Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from Brigham Young University and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2005 from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Arizona Dental Association, and Southern Arizona Dental Association.
Dr. Echols has years of experience performing general dentistry procedures, including fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, and cosmetic dentistry. His patients trust him to help them achieve the smile they love while building life-long relationships.
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