As a teen or college student, or just as an individual with a lot of dental problems, you would want to know if you can drive after a root canal. It is possible to drive home after this procedure. In fact, it is one of the more common procedures in dentistry today. However, before you even think about driving home after a root canal procedure, you need to make sure that you are ready for it.
Table of Contents
What are root canals
A root canal is a common procedure in which the nerve and pulp are removed from the tooth. The inside is then cleaned and sealed. The procedure can help save a tooth that might otherwise be lost due to decay or infection.You will feel some pain for about a week after the root canal, but you shouldn’t expect to be unable to drive. Some people report more pain than others and may need pain medication for several days after the procedure.
Most root canals are performed on an outpatient basis at either a dentist’s office or an endodontist’s office, and typically last around two hours. No surgery is required, so you won’t have any cuts in your mouth. This means that you should be able to drive yourself home after your root canal, if you feel well enough to do so.
How long will it take to recover from a root canal?
Most people are able to return to their daily activities after a root canal. There may be some pain and discomfort following the procedure, but this can be managed with over-the-counter or prescription medications. People should follow their dentist’s instructions regarding medications and how to care for the tooth following the procedure.A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected.
During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.After root canal therapy, the treated tooth becomes brittle and is more likely to break. To help prevent this, most dentists recommend having a crown placed on top of it. The crown protects what remains of the tooth after a root canal has been completed. The crown also restores function and helps prevent further damage to the tooth.
Can I drive home after my treatment?
This is a common question that dentists hear. The answer is yes, you can drive home after having a tooth extracted, placement of a dental implant or having a root canal treatment as long as you feel you are able to safely operate a motor vehicle. That being said, some patients do prefer to have someone drive them home after these appointments.
The anesthesia used during your procedure will take time to wear off and everyone reacts differently to the anesthesia. Some patients may experience some residual numbness in the lip and tongue area following the appointment which may make it difficult to talk or eat and drink.
Don’t drive while under the influence of pain
The root canal procedure is a safe and fairly routine dental treatment. The effects of the local anesthesia may take some time to wear off, even after the procedure is completed.It’s possible that your dentist may administer a sedative or place you under light anesthesia prior to the procedure. If this is the case, you should not drive yourself home afterward. You should also avoid driving if you have had a lot of dental work done, such as multiple teeth extracted in addition to the root canal.
You may resume normal activities, including driving, once all side effects of the anesthesia haveworn off and you feel comfortable doing so.Even after the effects of the anesthesia have worn off, however, there are still some circumstances where it’s best to avoid driving until your mouth has healed.
Need more information?
You can resume your normal activities after a root canal. This includes driving. You might experience some discomfort, especially as the anesthesia wears off, but you should be able to drive home without any problems.If the pain medication has kicked in, however, it might not be safe for you to drive yourself home. The medication may make you drowsy, and that could affect your ability to focus or react appropriately while on the road. This is true even if the effects are not obvious to you.
But wait. what if my dentist told me I couldn’t drive home? Your dentist might tell you that it’s not safe for you to drive yourself home after your root canal because of the risks involved with any type of dental surgery. Patients who have had root canals are typically prescribed painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help them manage their postoperative pain. This painkiller may induce sleepiness or dizziness in some people.
Conclusion
A root canal is a treatment used to repair and save a tooth that is badly decayed or becomes infected. During a root canal procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed and the inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. Without treatment, the tissue surrounding the tooth will become infected and abscesses may form.
