Hearing “root canal” can be intimidating; however, we’re here to demystify some misconceptions about this very common and helpful procedure!
Root canal therapy is the process of removing infections from inside a tooth. It is carried out in the pulp of the tooth, which is the root canal! The pulp nourishes the tooth and provides moisture to the surrounding structures.
However, the pulp can wreak havoc when infected and lead to pain, sensitivities to cold and heat, swelling, fever, and bad breath. Though it is thought to be a painful procedure, root canal therapy is actually a pain-relieving treatment and can protect your tooth from future infections and hassle down the line.
It is important to address any pain or infection in the pulp as that bacterium will eventually destroy the pulp and may permeate through the root openings and into the bone, which can cause far larger and more serious inflection. With a root canal, you can get a jump on stopping infection and save yourself a significant headache later on.
While under local anesthetic, root canal therapy begins by removing everything inside the root canal, including the culprit of your pain and discomfort: dead pulp.
Next, we’ll clean, shape, and decontaminate the hollow area before filling it with a material to seal the canal completely. After this portion of the procedure, you’ll no longer feel any pain as the nerve and pulp tissue has been removed and the infection eliminated. Finally, we’ll finish the procedure by adding a crown or filling to fortify the tooth and keep it strong.
Many individuals fear the pain associated with root canals; however, our trained and expert team is here to make our procedures as pain-free as possible, using numbing and local anesthesia. We value our patient’s voices and want to hear each and every concern before the procedures, so we can adequately address and soothe any nerves that may arise.