A root canal might seem like the end of the world, but you may be surprised to learn that it doesn’t have to be! Instead of spending weeks with your teeth and jaw in pain, you can get temporary veneers to replace your lost or damaged teeth while you recover from your root canal. While they aren’t permanent solutions, they can give you back your smile and some much-needed comfort until you’re ready to get your new teeth fixed up permanently. If you’re interested in learning more about root canals and temporary veneers, please continue reading!
The Procedure
A root canal is a pretty involved procedure. First, your dentist has to numb your tooth before going any further (the shot may hurt more than you think). After that, he or she removes all of your tooth’s pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves and is full of infection. Your dentist will then clean out and disinfect it. Once that’s done, he or she places temporary veneers over your root canals and then fills them with gutta-percha — rubber-like material — which hardens.
The Healing Process
After your root canal is complete, Dr. Epstein will place a small rubber-like filling in your tooth to seal it and protect it from bacteria while it heals. After two weeks of healing, you’ll be fitted for a crown to cover and reinforce your tooth. Because there’s no nerve left in your tooth after your root canal, you may find that it feels slightly numb or off compared to adjacent teeth for about three months. However, most people say their teeth feel as good as new after getting their root canals completed.
What You Can Expect Afterwards
After your root canal, you’ll likely have some pain and sensitivity in your tooth, along with some mild swelling. It’s important to take care of your teeth while they heal so that they don’t become reinfected. Try not to bite down on anything too hard or use any hot or cold items near your mouth until all symptoms have subsided. Following these steps should ensure that you heal quickly and completely after a root canal procedure.
Replacing Missing Teeth With Temporary Veneers
If you have lost one or more teeth, resin veneers can help you improve your smile while allowing your mouth to heal. Veneers are thin coverings placed over damaged teeth to improve their appearance and strength. While they won’t stop decay or restore severely worn teeth, they can help make discolored, misshapen and chipped teeth look great again! The procedure usually takes two visits to complete: First, an impression of your damaged tooth is taken. Then, an impression of your prepared tooth is taken so that temporary veneers can be made. After these impressions are made and any final adjustments are made by Drs.
Why Choose Temporary Veneers?
People suffering from tooth decay often choose to undergo root canal therapy. During treatment, your dentist will remove and clean nerve tissue, making room for your new permanent crowns. In some cases, you may want to wear temporary veneers while you await treatment; however, it’s important to remember that temporary veneers do not last forever and require regular maintenance. The average person spends about 20 minutes per day eating or drinking. As you can imagine, it won’t take long for your teeth to develop new stains if you don’t clean them regularly. Likewise, brushing alone isn’t enough—you should also use dental floss and an interdental cleaner at least once per day to keep your teeth clean and healthy-looking during treatment.
Getting Prepared For The Procedure
Before you even show up for your root canal appointment, make sure you do all of your homework beforehand. That means doing research to learn more about root canals and how they work, as well as familiarizing yourself with what will happen during your procedure. This can be particularly helpful if it’s your first time receiving one. The best part is that most of these resources are available online, meaning you can learn at home in your pajamas instead of in a waiting room or dental office! To get started, visit our How Do Dentists Perform A Root Canal page to learn everything you need to know before booking an appointment.