Getting a root canal and crown is a big dental operation but is nothing to be afraid of. Many dentists specialize in giving just root canals. Then, you will often have to get your crown made at another dentist.  They have state of the art facilities and amenities to make your visit much more comfortable. This article will explain the process of getting a root canal and crown. If you know what to expect beforehand, the process should be much less painful and less stressful. 

The Root Canal

During the root canal, the most important thing you need to decide whether you're going to be put to sleep or just have local anesthetic. The good thing about local anesthetic is that it is much cheaper. However, we will be fully awake during the procedure, which can be very traumatic if you are particularly afraid of dental work. Most people hate to sound and smell of a dentist drill, even if they cannot feel any pain. On the other hand, a lot of people are just afraid of the actual needles that are used to numb the teeth. This is why some people are willing to pay a little extra money to be fully asleep during the entire procedure. Root canals takes quite a long time because the dentist needs to completely remove the nerves from each root. This is a very precise procedure and it can take over an hour. If you think that the procedure is too long and too dramatic to be fully awake through, you might need to be asleep.

Having a Root Canal and Crown at Once

Most dentist will suggest having a crown put on after a root canal. The root canal will destroy so much of the tooth, that it is more practical in the long run to have a crown instead of such a large filling. However, the process is not immediate. After the root canal is performed, the dentist (such as Chris T. Thomas, DDS) will put on a temporary crown. You will be fitted for a permanent crown at this time, and it will take several weeks for the crown to be made. You will then return to the dentist (or to a crown specialist) for the installation of the permanent crown.

In the end, no matter what type of anesthetic you use, you should only be sore for a couple of days. You will need to lay off certain hard foods and take it easy on your temporary crown in the meantime. 

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