In popular culture, a root canal tends to be shorthand for a big scary dental procedure. This procedure has a bad reputation, but not only is a root canal not as scary as television or movies would have you believe, but it also comes with plenty of benefits for your oral health. Millions of teeth are treated—and saved!—every year through root canals.
What Is a Root Canal?
A root canal is considered an endodontic treatment, which means it treats the inside of the tooth. The inside of your tooth contains dental pulp, which is made up of blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue.
When your tooth’s pulp is infected, a root canal is the first line of defense to save the tooth. A root canal is a procedure that cleans out and eliminates bacteria from your infected tooth. A root canal procedure saves your natural tooth and prevents reinfection from occurring.
How Do I Know if I Need a Root Canal?
There are several events or signs that may indicate you require a root canal treatment. A tooth injury, a deep cavity, or issues from an old filling can all mean you need a root canal. If you experience any of the following symptoms, give us a call right away. You might need a root canal, and there’s no reason to wait.
Root canal symptoms:
- A chipped or cracked tooth.
- Lingering hot or cold sensitivity.
- Pimples on the gums.
- Noticeable darkening or deep decay of the gums.
- Swollen or otherwise tender gums.
- Severe pain while chewing or biting.
If you need a root canal procedure, you are probably experiencing some mouth pain or discomfort. Getting treated is not only necessary for your oral health, it will also alleviate any pain you are experiencing.
Root Canal Benefits
Hearing you need a root canal can feel very scary, but it absolutely does not need to cause anxiety. Root canals are a common procedure, and you will see relief from your pain and improved oral health almost immediately after having one.
Some benefits of having a root canal procedure include:
- Maintaining your natural smile.
- Continuing to eat the foods you love.
- Limiting the need for ongoing dental work.
If you listen to the advice of your dentist after a root canal treatment, your treated tooth can last the rest of your life without any additional problems.
What Can I Expect from My Root Canal Procedure?
For dentists, root canals are a routine procedure. For patients, they are a bit more unique. Even though you are in great hands here at our practice, it’s nice to know a little bit about what to expect from your root canal procedure.
Does Getting a Root Canal Hurt?
The short answer to this question is no. Patients are thoroughly numbed prior to the procedure, and most report feeling little to no pain throughout the experience. In fact, because most patients that require a root canal are already in pain when they come in, you will have less pain during and after your root canal procedure than you did before.
After the procedure is finished you may have some numbness in your mouth, particularly the part of the mouth where your infected tooth was located. The numbness should subside after a few hours. The previously infected tooth might feel a little strange compared to your other teeth for a few days, but that will also go away soon.
Take Control of Your Oral Health, and Call Us Today!
Our compassionate and highly trained team is ready to answer any questions you may have about root canals, or any other dental procedure! Call us today to make an appointment or ask a question about our services.
