Root Canal Therapy 101
When you think about a root canal, do you wince, imagining how painful it must be? One of the greatest myths about root canals is that the treatment is a traumatic one. Not so! With modern dental technology, a root canal is a comfortable, simple procedure.
What Is Root Canal Therapy?
Inside our teeth, we have soft tissue or pulp. This pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. When the pulp becomes infected due to decay or a crack in the tooth, we treat it with root canal therapy.
During a root canal, we’ll first numb your tooth. Then, we’ll clean out the infection and remove the unhealthy pulp. Finally, we’ll seal the tooth by packing it with a permanent material before placing a temporary filling on it. The temporary filling will ultimately be replaced with a permanent filling or crown.
What Symptoms Suggest I Might Need Root Canal Therapy?
The only way to know for sure if you need a root canal is to visit a dentist and have an X-ray taken. However, some symptoms that indicate you might benefit from this procedure include:
- Severe toothaches
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and liquids
- Discomfort while chewing or biting
What Are the Benefits of Root Canal Therapy?
A root canal can provide much needed relief if you’re suffering from chronic tooth pain. However, that isn’t its only benefit. A root canal also offers the following advantages:
- Allows us to save the tooth, rather than remove it
- Provides relief from tooth sensitivity
- Rids the tooth of infection and bacteria
- Alleviates the effects of fractured teeth
- Eradicates swelling around the tooth
Is a Root Canal Painful?
One of the greatest misconceptions in dentistry is that root canals are painful. That myth began many years ago, long before the advent of modern technologies. Today a root canal is a painless procedure. In fact, a recent survey showed that people who have had root canals are 6 times more likely to describe them as “painless” than people who haven’t.
What IS painful, however, is leaving an infected tooth untreated. People who get root canals are often in severe pain. After the root canal is performed, their pain is eliminated and they tend to feel an overwhelming sense of relief!
At Smile Hilliard, you’ll find that if you need a root canal, we’ll put you at ease by discussing the treatment, listening to any concerns you may have, and using the latest technology so you experience the highest quality dental care. Contact us today to schedule your appointment. For your convenience, we offer evening appointments and after-hours emergency care for our patients of record.