Why You Shouldn’t Fear Your Upcoming Root Canal

If you’ve recently been informed that you’re going to need a root canal, you might’ve felt a knot form in your stomach – after all, these procedures don’t have a very fair reputation due to how they’re portrayed on television. But root canals aren’t something you should fear at all – they’re designed to directly assist your smile! Here’s what you need to know about root canal treatment and its many benefits.

What Exactly Is a Root Canal?

Root canal therapy, sometimes referred to as endodontic therapy, is used to treat severe infections that affect the inside of the tooth, known as the pulp. If a cavity or crack extends into the pulp chamber of a tooth, it can trigger severe pain since that’s where the tooth’s nerve endings are located. The objective of a root canal is simple – to alleviate this pain by treating the damaged pulp.

The procedure itself is remarkably straightforward and pain-free thanks to the use of a local anesthetic. A small opening is made to access the interior of the tooth, and any decayed or damaged tissues are carefully removed. The tooth is then fully sanitized, and a biocompatible material called gutta-percha is used to fill in the tooth, helping it retain its shape. Finally, a natural-looking, durable dental crown is placed on top of the tooth to protect it.

Why You Shouldn’t Fear Root Canals

Although this procedure might sound a little intense, it’s nothing you need to worry about, and your dentist is putting your tooth’s best interest first. Here are four key reasons why you shouldn’t fear needing a root canal:

• Dentists perform millions of root canals every year, making them statistically one of the most common and safest dental procedures.
• You won’t feel any pain during a root canal; many patients compare the root canal procedure to getting a small cavity filled.
• You get to keep your natural tooth following a root canal, which is always a preferable outcome compared to requiring an extraction.
• Root canals are also quite cost-effective, as the treatment is far cheaper compared to needing to extract and replace the tooth in question.

Root canals can save your oral health and improve your quality of life in a major way, and that alone is reason enough to not fear them. In any case, you should still do your best to take great care of your teeth and try to avoid needing one entirely!

About the Practice

Under the leadership of Dr. Alex Goodman, the team at Goodman Family Dentistry has served the dental needs of patients and families in Columbia and the surrounding area for several years. They proudly offer a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services, as well as treatments such as root canals for patients with urgent needs. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to schedule an appointment, please reach out online or call today for assistance. Telephone: (931) 388-4315.