You are not eligible for root canal treatment if you are:

1) Suffering from high blood pressure/hypertension

2) Take blood thinners (the endodontist may ask you to stop taking the blood thinners for a couple of days prior to the treatment)

3) Suffering from diabetes

4) Suffering from autoimmune diseases

5) Suffering from infections and fever

6) Suffering from osteoporosis

1. Avoid alcohol and tobacco for a full 24 hours before the procedure

During the procedure, the dentist will inject the gums with a local anesthetic, and it may have an adverse reaction to tobacco and alcohol.

2. Eat before the procedure

Since an anesthetic will be injected into the gums during the procedure, the patient's mouth may feel numb hours afterward, making it difficult to eat, so unless the patient is told not to by the dentist, eating a couple of hours before the procedure will make the recovery much more comfortable.

3. Take a painkiller before the procedure

Most dentists advise their patients to take ibuprofen a few hours before the treatment starts. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever that will help ease any swelling that may occur.

4. Ask questions

There is no such thing as too many questions when at a dentist's office. It is important to understand the entire procedure and what exactly is happening as a whole. It is also important to ask what type of foods can be eaten after the procedure.

5. Get a full night's sleep before and after

The human body recovers the most when at rest. Most of the "repairs" are done while a person is asleep, so make sure you get a lot of sleep to make the recovery from the procedure as smooth as possible.

The entire root canal procedure may take place in one sitting, or at times 2 or 3 sessions depending on the condition of the tooth. Each sitting may last between 30 - 90 minutes. It is a simple procedure with relatively little or no discomfort.

1) At the outset, local anesthesia is administered to the tooth which is to be treated.

2) After the tooth and the surrounding areas become numb, the endodontist drills an opening through the crown or the biting surface of the tooth to access the pulp chamber. If it is a front tooth, the endodontist drills an opening from behind the tooth.

3) Using special files the endodontist cleans out the infected, diseased and dead pulp from the canals. The procedure does not cause any pain as the area is numb due to the anesthesia, and the tissue that is removed is dead.

4) Once all the infected and dead tissue is removed, the canals are disinfected using disinfectants.

5) The canals are then shaped with fine instruments so that they can be filled with the root canal fillings known as gutta-percha and sealed. During the process of shaping, the irrigation method is used to wash and clean the canals and remove the debris, before inserting the fillings and sealing the tooth.

6) A temporary cover material that acts as a seal is placed above the gutta-percha. This covering material is kept in place till a crown or a cap that looks like a normal tooth is fitted atop the treated tooth.

At times, a post is inserted into the canal next to the gutta-percha to give the crown more support.

7) Thereafter, the crown is cemented in place so that it never dislodges.

The post-treatment guidelines of root canal treatment include:

1) Take the antibiotics as advised by the dentist.

2) Maintaining good oral hygiene is extremely important, with regular brushing and teeth flossing.

3) It is advisable to not eat or drink anything for a couple of hours after root canal treatment. Since the treated area is numb, there are chances of accidentally biting your teeth or tongue while eating. You can eat after the numbness wears off.

4) Avoid hard and crunchy foods for a few days after a root canal treatment.

5) If the opening on your teeth has been filled with a temporary filling, chances are that some of the fillings may wear off in between appointments. If the entire filling wears off you need to consult your dentist immediately.

Ask your dentist when you can resume your regular daily routine. Exercising too soon may cause your tooth or gums to bleed again. If you must, try light physical activities such as walking around the block. Additionally, you can try stress-relieving activities such as meditation, tai chi, or light yoga positions.

3. Sleep well

Sufficient sleep is crucial for fast healing. When you sleep, all your cells work overtime to repair damaged cells and tissues. If you’re taking over-the-counter pain medicines, it’s best to stay off your feet and avoid driving right after the procedure. One way to get quality rest is by taking time off from work. You can file a leave from the office or plan your procedure on the weekend.

A successful root canal procedure can cause mild discomfort for a few days. However, the pain will fade on its own with proper oral hygiene, nutrition, and rest. If the discomfort persists beyond three days, however, schedule a follow-up visit to your dentist immediately.