Root canal treatment — or endodontic therapy — is a routine dental procedure that aims to rescue a badly decayed or infected tooth as explained by an emergency dentist in Boynton Beach. Root canal treatment aims to eliminate the damaged or infected pulp tissue from within the tooth and to clean, disinfect, fill, and seal the root canals to prevent further infection. Although hearing about doing a root canal sounds terrifying, new techniques and anesthesia have made the time fly with ease for patients. Boynton Beach residents have a root canal approach to pain management during and after the procedure.

Management of Pain at the Time

1. Local Anesthesia: Providing a local anesthetic is key in ensuring that a root canal procedure is as painless as possible. Anesthetics, like lidocaine, is used to numb the area around the affected tooth by injecting it through the gums so that it can be less painful for the patient. The numbness usually remains for the time of the procedure and a bit after.
2. Sedation Options: Although many patients will not need it, some patients may have dental anxiety or be having more complex procedures, and sedation options may be given. Patients can be made to feel at ease and comfortable with either nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedatives, or IV sedation during the entire procedure.
3. Advanced Techniques: Contemporary dental practices utilize some of the latest technology and practices to make this process quicker and less painful. The use of rotary endodontic instruments and imaging technology for root canal treatment increases accuracy and speeds up the process, thus making the procedure more comfortable.

After the Procedure: Pain Control

1. Non-prescription Pain Medications: Discomfort or mild pain may be felt after the anesthesia wears off. In this post-procedure application, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) will help to mitigate this discomfort. Your dentist will most likely give you specific guidance depending on your medical history and how complex the root canal is.
2. Prescription Medications: If the pain is severe, then your dentist may provide you with stronger pain medications. Be sure to stick closely to the dosage instructions; prescription painkillers should be used only as directed.
3. Ice Packs: An ice pack on the outside of your cheek, closest to the hormonally treated area can reduce swelling and relieve pain. Apply the ice pack with 15-minute intervals in between.
4. Soft Diet: For the first few days after your procedure, you will want to eat soft foods so that you can avoid irritating the area and minimize discomfort. Stay away from anything hard, crunchy, or sticky that could irritate the specific tooth you had treating.
5. Good Oral Hygiene: Both are essential for healing and avoiding infection. Carefully brush and floss around the treated tooth, then rinse with a saline solution to keep it clean.
6. Follow-Up Appointments: Follow-up appointments with your dentist are important to check the healing and address complications. During this appointment, your dentist will examine the tooth that was treated, confirm that the infection is gone, and possibly recommend further treatment in the form of a crown.

With advances in technology and dental anesthetics, pain management during and following a Boynton Beach root canal therapy procedure has been substantially enhanced. Patients can fully comprehend the process and minimize both pain from surgery and discomfort in recovery by following some suggested guidelines for pain management. Persistent or extreme pain after a root canal that indicates to you something is wrong, should be relayed back to the dentist immediately.