What to Expect With Post Endodontic Treatment Recovery and Pain Management

Endodontic treatment is the general term for procedures used to treat a tooth from the inside out. A tooth that is infected, at risk of infection, or otherwise compromised on the inside may be able to be saved with root canal therapy or other endodontic procedures. 

If you’ve been referred to an endodontist, you may be wondering what to expect from your treatment and recovery. Here’s an overview of the typical process. 

What is Endodontic Treatment? 

Endodontic treatment is a blanket term used to refer to procedures affecting the dental pulp. Dental pulp is the soft tissue at the center of each tooth. It is primarily made up of blood vessels and nerves that help the tooth develop. Once the tooth is fully developed and in place the dental pulp is no longer needed, however, it is susceptible to infection. A tooth that is infected or at risk for infection may be in need of endodontic treatment. There are other conditions affecting teeth that may need other types of endodontic treatment. 

Types of Endodontic Procedures 

We provide the following endodontic services: 

• Non-surgical root canal therapy. The dental pulp is removed from the tooth and replaced with a filling material. 
• Non-surgical root canal retreatment. A tooth may need a repeat root canal for a variety of reasons. 
• Apicoectomy (endodontic surgery). The root of the tooth is treated below the gums. 
• Internal resorption. Treatment to stop a tooth from breaking down from the inside.
• External resorption. Treatment to stop a tooth from deteriorating from the outside. 
• Single tooth internal bleaching. A tooth can become discolored due to infection or injury. Internal bleaching can remove the discoloration, making the tooth look white again. 
• Apexification. Apexification is used to treat an underdeveloped tooth in children. 
• Apexogenesis. Apexogenesis is used when the roots of a tooth are underdeveloped, encouraging them to grow and develop properly. 
• Laser endodontics. The use of dental lasers in endodontic procedures makes them less invasive and accelerates recovery. 
• Gentle Wave.  The use of sonic energy to facilitate in removing the nerve effectively and efficiently while minimizing tooth structure loss and post op sensitivity.  

Is Endodontic Treatment Painful? 

Most endodontic procedures can be performed using local anesthesia to numb the area of the mouth that is being treated. This way the patient feels no discomfort while the procedure is taking place. Sedation options are available as needed to help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable. 

When dental lasers are used for endodontic treatment vibrations are minimized and tissue is naturally cauterized as it goes. This reduces overall discomfort and in many cases less anesthesia is needed. Recovery is much faster after the procedure as well. 

When Gentle Wave is used for endodontic treatment, the root canal size is dramatically reduced to improve the tissue removal in this closed irrigation system.  This means less post op sensitivity.

What Can I Expect After Treatment? 

Most patients experience very little discomfort following most endodontic procedures. In the case of surgical endodontics, because tissue must be disturbed, some swelling and inflammation may occur afterwards that is easily managed with over the counter anti-inflammatory pain medication. 

If you experience any severe discomfort or pain that does not respond to over the counter medication, please let us know so that we can provide you with additional treatment or medication as needed. 

When it comes to follow up care, you may need to eat a liquid or soft diet for the first 24-48 hours following your endodontic procedure, reintroducing more solid foods as you feel comfortable. Avoid hot beverages and allow food to cool sufficiently before eating. 

Why Choose Advanced Endodontics? 

At Advanced Endodontics we strive to provide you with the most comfortable experience possible. We want to change the way you and everyone views endodontics, dispelling the misconceptions surrounding root canals. Endodontic treatment is a positive experience that can put an end to your pain and save your teeth, allowing you to keep your natural teeth in place for the rest of your life. 

Call 407-347-6874 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.