In many cases, yes, you can drive after a root canal. If the appointment involved only local anesthetic, meaning the area was…
Endodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the nerves of the teeth. Root canals are probably the most notorious procedure in dentistry and the most common procedure relating to endodontics. When a tooth becomes infected it is usually related to the nerves in the root of the tooth. The infected nerves need to be removed. If left untreated an infection can turn into an abscess, which is a much more serious problem that includes bone loss in the jaw.
The area around the tooth is numbed with a local anesthetic to start the procedure. The dentist will then drill down into the tooth to create an opening into the canal. They will then be able to remove infected tissue and clean the canal. After the infection has been removed, the space if filled with a sealant called gutta percha. It is highly recommended that a tooth that has undergone a root canal is fitted with a dental crown. This will improve the appearance of the tooth, and will also make it much more likely that the root canal is successful.
"Root canal" has become a scary term for dental patients to hear, but the benefits of the procedure and advances in dental technology have made it much less "scary". Local anesthetics and proper pain medication allow the procedure to be performed with little to no pain in most cases. There may be some soreness following the procedure, but that is normal for most dental procedures. Over the counter painkillers are usually enough to relieve any pain afterwards, but your dentist may prescribe medication. The procedure will also relieve you from pain caused by the infection allowing you to enjoy all the foods you love without any pain from heat, cold, or biting too hard. If you are experiencing pain consult your dentist today.
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Lukas SmithI am so glad to see my dentist and Jennifer the hygenist! My name happens to be identical with the dentist, but I am just a patient! Jennifer... read more
Susan WagnerCalled in the morning and seen the same day for a lose crown. Dr. Wagner has always taken great care of our family dental needs!
Kevin GregoryWell run office. They are very conscientious in helping individuals maintain healthy teeth.
Roger KinseyNothing but positive things to say about this place! Every staff member I've interacted with is knowledgeable and kind. Going to the dentist no longer makes me anxious. I highly... read more
Laura MoonDr. Susan Wagner and her staff are amazing. They are very professional, gentle, efficient and experienced. They are also calm and very kind. I appreciate having such a great experience... read more
Amy TomeyI have gone here for dental work my whole life at this point, and they have never been rude to me and have always been patient with me when I... read more
nick loranceI have been going to Dr. Wagner for decades. Her staff is all female, which as a person with a small mouth and jaw, I really appreciate the smaller hands.... read more
Carol FarringtonAlways great to see the beautiful staff at Dr Susan Wagner’s office. Always a pleasant experience when I visit for any procedure. I highly recommend Dr Susan if... read more
celine mastersonSuccess stories that speak for themselves
In many cases, yes, you can drive after a root canal. If the appointment involved only local anesthetic, meaning the area was…
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