Do They Put You To Sleep For A Root Canal?

Whenever you need an endodontic procedure (root canal), a question comes to mind. You wonder if the treatment will require anesthetics to be performed. 

If you take care of your teeth with regularity, visits to the dentist are simple. These tend to be only for regular cleaning and check that everything is right. However, when a root canal is needed, things may be a little more complicated. 

There are many causes of emergency root canal treatment. Did your dentist recommend this procedure? Are you worried about the pain you may feel during this procedure? In this article, we will counsel you if general anesthetics are required for a root canal.

 

happy root canal patients

The procedure

A root canal is an endodontics procedure made when the nerve and/or the pulp of a tooth are infected or damaged. This can be caused by a blow or the absence of oral hygiene.  In that case, the intervention is made to remove the inner part of the tooth. That is the affected part.  

A hole is made at the crown of the tooth. This way, the dentist, or endodontist, can perform the cleanup. Then any material inside the tooth that causes pain and discomfort can be removed.

Is anesthesia necessary?

A quick answer to that question is no. In general, when a root canal is needed, it means that the nerve inside the tooth is already dead. Although it is not always the case. 

Sometimes, accidents can occur, and some of our teeth can fracture. When this happens, a root canal is needed to extract the little pieces of teeth broken inside without removing the nerve. In those cases, anesthesia is required to avoid pain.

However, most of the time, small doses of anesthetics are used in endodontics. This ensures patient comfort. Valium or Lidocaine is used as local anesthesia. This means that on many occasions, dentists use them to keep patients calm. In particular, those who are prone to becoming nervous or irritated.

Are you the kind of person that avoids the dentist because of a bad experience related to pain, discomfort, or even psychiatric conditions? General anesthesia can be considered necessary to carry out your treatment successfully. 

No matter the case, most dental clinics count on anesthetics specialists for those cases where patients need to be sleep to receive their treatment.

emergency root canal treatment

Types of Anesthesia

Types of Anesthesia

There are three types of anesthesia for any endodontics procedure: minimal, moderate, and deep.

  • Minimal anesthesia is the most common and consists of local sedation applied directly in the affected area. Generally, Lidocaine or Valium the chosen ones, as we said before.
  • Moderate anesthesia is a combination of local anesthesia with Nitrous Oxide gas, also known as Laughing Gas. This combination does not put the patient to sleep. It minimizes the response of the senses, allowing them to answer questions.
  • Deep anesthesia is the administration of drugs through an IV line directly into the patient’s blood. Then the patient falls asleep. Most used for this purpose is Fentanyl, Versed, and Ketamine. 

If you want to learn about how long an emergency root canal takes, everything you need to know is right here. Alternatively, contact us now and we will accommodate you.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this website is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Any reliance you place on the information provided in these blogs is, therefore, strictly at your own risk. We shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage resulting from the use of the information provided on this website.
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