When wearing braces, is it safe to have a root canal?

Dental health and endodontic treatments can be a tricky terrain to maneuver. At times, one oral health issue might coalesce with another, making it difficult to decide which treatment to choose. This article will dovetail into the nitty-gritty of root canal therapy and how safe the braces with root canal combination are.

What is Root Canal?

In simple words, a root canal is a treatment to eliminate bacteria from the pump of a tooth suffering from an infection, prohibit its reinfection, and save the natural tooth.

During a root canal procedure, the dentist will remove the pulp with inflammation and infection, and they will carefully clean the tooth’s insides, disinfect, and finally fill and seal it. Usually, an endodontist or general dentist will perform a root canal while you are under local anesthesia.

A root canal treatment is useful when the soft inner part of your tooth, which is the pulp, suffers injury, inflammation, or infection. Some of the common reasons why a root canal may be needed are –

A chip or crack on the tooth
A deep decay caused by an untreated cavity
Multiple dental procedures on the same tooth
An injury to the teeth leads to pulp damage.

Some typical indications of a damaged or infected pulp include toothache, swelling, and heat emanating from the gums. Now that we know the basics of root canal therapy, let us examine the procedure step-by-step.

The Four Steps of a Root Canal Therapy

Step 1. Anesthesia – You must visit the dentist’s office to get a root canal. Thereafter, the dentist will apply some numbing medication on your gums and near the affected tooth. After desensitizing the area, the dentist will inject local anesthesia into your gums.

It is noteworthy to remember that you will remain awake during the procedure, but the anesthesia will keep pain at bay. The best dentists from Taylor Dental ensure that you feel calm and composed during a root canal procedure.

Step 2. Pulp Removal – After your tooth is completely numb, the dentist will create a small opening on the infected tooth to reach the damaged pulp. After the pulp exposure, the specialist will meticulously remove tools known as files. The dentist will thoroughly clean out the canals in your teeth.
Step 3. Antibiotics – After the pulp removal, the dentist will coat the area with a topical antibiotic to eradicate the infection and prevent its further spreading.

After cleaning and disinfecting the canals, the dentist will seal the teeth with a rubber-like substance and a sealer paste known as gutta-percha. After that, the dentists of Taylor Dental may also prescribe you some oral antibiotics.

Step 4. Temporary Filling – The dentist will end the root canal treatment by filling the small hole drilled on top of the tooth with a soft, temporary substance. The sealant prohibits the saliva from deteriorating the canals.

A root canal can be an intimidating treatment. Therefore, it is obvious to have multiple questions regarding the same. One of the most common inquiries is whether a root canal is safe for people with braces. Well, let us find out!

Is Root Canal Safe for People with Braces?

To begin, braces with a root canal are a compatible combination. It is possible and safe to put braces on root canal-treated teeth. However, waiting for a couple of weeks after a root canal treatment is ideal for getting the braces, as your teeth need some time to recuperate and recover from the infection.

Moreover, some of the highly expert dentists of Taylor Dental even have the training to place regular permanent braces on a patient on whom there was root canal treatment. Likewise, some dentists resort to non-permanent appliances over teeth treated with a root canal.

Whichever the trajectory might be for you, an open and honest conversation with the dentist can clear all your hesitation and reservations.

Expectations to Keep after a Root Canal Treatment

As we have already discussed, getting a root canal treatment while wearing braces is possible. However, you should brace yourself for specific experiences after root canal therapy.

It is wise to minimize chewing on the tooth under a root canal treatment, as such vigilance can avoid recontaminating the tooth’s pulp and prevent a fragile tooth from breaking even before full restoration

You might feel sensitive for the first few days after a root canal due to natural tissue inflammation. Your dentist might prescribe over-the-counter medications to control the sensitivity and pain.

After a root canal treatment, you can continue brushing and flossing regularly. However, remember to be gentle and avoid abrasive oral hygiene products.

Concluding Thoughts

So, we have a crisp overview of root canal treatment and its apparent safety even if you wear braces. A root canal is a highly effective treatment with a 95 percent success rate. When done by the right dentist, such as by specialists of Taylor Dental, root canal-treated teeth can last a lifetime.