Who’s Afraid Of A Root Canal?
We know the answer to the question at the top of this page — a lot of people.
We know because we’ve seen the looks on many patients’ faces when we tell them that they need root canal treatments.
We also understand why people might be concerned. The way root canals are portrayed in popular culture, you might think they were the most painful procedure in the world. And if you know someone who has a horror story about a root canal, there’s a good chance they had that treatment many years ago or at an office where things are still done the old way.
At our dentist office in Willow Park, TX, we use modern tools and modern techniques to perform practically painless root canal procedures. In many ways, it’s like getting an oversized filling.
Setting The Record Straight About Root Canals
As we mentioned above, movies and stories based on the old ways of doing root canals have hurt this procedure’s reputation. Misinformation is also widely available online, and that too can make people hesitant to get a root canal when it really is the answer to their problems.
With this in mind, here are some things you should know about root canals.
► A Root Canal Will End Your Pain
Tooth infections develop when bacteria reach the pulp (a soft connective tissue at the center of a tooth). This causes pulp to become inflamed.
This also can make it painful to bite or chew with the tooth in question. This can leave your tooth aching constantly. This can cause your tooth to become more sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet foods and drinks.
The pulp also shares spaces with blood vessels and nerves, which makes inflamed pulp harmful for other reasons as well. The purpose of a root canal is to remove the infected pulp along with the blood vessels and nerves.
This will end the various pains that come with a tooth infection.
► Root Canals Can Be Pain-Free
In modern dentistry, your comfort is an important aspect of the care that we provide.
At a minimum, you can expect us to provide local anesthetic to numb your tooth and the surrounding tissue. This will keep you pain-free during your procedure.
However, we can take an extra step to assure your comfort with sedation dentistry. Dental anxiety can make dental care more difficult, and we’ve learned that many patients who are comfortable getting a cleaning can become anxious about having a root canal.
That’s OK. It’s also why we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation options for our patients. Either one of these can keep you from feeling pain during the procedure and keep you calm throughout the treatment.
► A Root Canal Can Save Your Tooth
If you do an online search, unfortunately, you will find people with no dental background who are convinced that pulling a tooth is better for you than a root canal.
The truth is that it’s better to save a tooth whenever you can. Now, there are times when teeth do have to be removed, but in most cases, a root canal is a better option for your oral health. Pulling a tooth that doesn’t need to be pulled can leave you at a higher risk of oral infections.
With a root canal treatment, we are removing the cause of your infection, filling your tooth, and sealing it, often with a dental crown. All of this reduces your risk of long-term oral health issues.
Is A Root Canal Right For You?
Your teeth should never cause you pain. If they are, that means something is wrong, and you should schedule a visit to Texas Grins as soon as you are able.
We hate to see our patients in pain, and we will do whatever we can to ease your discomfort. If that means a root canal, then we can do that for you. And if your problem can be solved with a simpler or less invasive procedure, then we recommend that instead.
We aren’t going to suggest a root canal unless we think it is your best option for the long-term health of your mouth.