How Should I Prepare For Endodontic Therapy?

Endodontic therapy is more commonly known as “root canal” therapy and involves a series of treatments that eliminates infected tooth pulp. As a result, this procedure enables the decontaminated tooth to be protected against any future microbial infection. Unfortunately, as effective as this procedure can be, root canal therapy characteristically gets a bad rap. It is not uncommon for our patients to fear this particular procedure in advance of undergoing it. However, our endodontist will do everything they can to put your mind at ease prior to having the procedure done.

First and foremost, we recommend that you ask the dentist or endodontist that is going to perform the procedure certain questions including the following:

• How should I prepare for a root canal procedure? For the most part, there is not a lot of preparation require for an endodontic procedure. You should wear comfortable clothing and make arrangements with family or friends to transport you to and from our office.
• Should I take any medications prior to having my appointment? Depending on the severity of your condition, our dentists or endodontists may recommend an over-the-counter analgesic and anti-inflammatory (e.g. ibuprofen and Naprosyn) prior to your procedure. So be sure that you inquire about this.
• What should I avoid prior to my procedure? You should avoid eating anything 6 to 8 hours prior to your appointment. If you drink, do not have any alcoholic beverages at least 12 hours in advance of your procedure. Additionally, if you are a tobacco smoker, avoid smoking for that same amount of time.
• What should I make the dentist or endodontist aware of? You should inform the professional who is performing the procedure about any medical conditions and medications that you are currently taking. For instance, avoid taking any blood thinners the day of the procedure and get clearance from your primary doctor regarding your root canal therapy.

If you have any additional questions or would like more information about your root canal procedure, please contact Community Dental Group today. If you prefer, you can visit our facility here in Thousand Oaks and discuss your situation in person.