Over the years, a root canal has gained a pretty undesirable reputation. Many people fear the treatment and do everything they can to avoid getting one, even if their dentist has told them they need one. We want to dispel any myths you may have heard about the treatment, because the truth is, it’s not something to fear and it could save your dental health. Here are the basics:
What It’s For
Root canal treatment is used to essentially clean and restore a tooth that has inflammation or an infection inside its root canal, which is where the soft pulp tissue is. If this infection isn’t taken care of, it could become so serious that it leads to tooth loss or bone loss.
How It Works
During a root canal procedure, your dentist will go into the tooth and remove any diseased pulp tissue. Once that’s all gone, they’ll fill in the space to support the tooth. To finish it off, they’ll top the tooth with a dental restoration like a dental crown so it’s strong and fully functional.
The Question of Pain
The main question patients have regarding root canals is whether or not it’s going to hurt. Don’t worry, it’s not painful! You may feel some pressure during the procedure, but you shouldn’t feel pain, especially with the local anesthetic and any additional dental sedation you may get. After the procedure, there may be some sensitivity during your recovery period. Not getting a root canal and letting that infection become more severe is what can truly be painful.
Contact Us for More!
These are the basics about root canals, but if you’d like to know more, don’t be shy and ask our team! At River Vista Dentistry, we provide root canal treatment, so we can answer any additional questions you might have. Just call or email us today!