Of all the dental treatments to be humorously vilified in cartoons and movies, the root canal probably elicits the most dread in the greatest number of people. While this reputation is not deserved, many people avoid seeing the dentist for fear of getting one. This is truly unfortunate because modern root canals are completely painless due to local anesthetics and can spare patients from unremitting miserable pain and save teeth from extraction. Here’s a guide to why root canals can be necessary and how a patient can benefit from getting one.
What Makes a Root Canal Necessary?
If your dentist recommends that you have a root canal, you can rest assured that they would only do so if they have an excellent reason. Tooth decay begins as oral bacteria begin to eat their way through the enamel outer layer of a tooth, forming a cavity as the infection bores its way into the dentin layer underneath. If allowed to progress, the decay will reach the pulp at the center, causing a nasty toothache. Tooth decay will not heal on its own and will eventually lead to tooth loss and dangerous secondary infections like pneumonia or sepsis.
Though a cavity can be treated with a dental filling in its early stages, a root canal becomes necessary when the infection becomes severe. A root canal may also be necessary if a tooth becomes injured in such a way that exposes the pulp to the external environment, making it vulnerable to infection.
What Is Getting a Root Canal Like?
Your dentist will begin a root canal procedure by numbing your tooth with a local anesthetic to render the whole experience painless. They will then remove any decayed tissue from the tooth and gain access to its inner chamber. There, they will remove the infected pulp, sanitize the interior of the tooth, fill it with a special medical material, and seal the chamber off. They will then place a dental crown to restore the tooth to its original size, shape, and function. While the patient may experience discomfort during recovery, it can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Root canals can eliminate painful infections and prevent tooth loss, allowing a patient to keep smiling proudly after advanced tooth decay or severe dental injuries. If your dentist recommends getting a root canal, you can safely assume doing so is in your best interest.
About the Practice
NeoSmile Dental Care offers the best dental care available in Spring House, PA. Led by Dr. Krunal Patel, the staff makes sure that each patient enjoys comprehensive care in a compassionate and friendly environment. Areas of expertise include general, cosmetic, emergency, and restorative dentistry like root canal treatments. For more information on what getting a root canal is like, contact the office online or dial (215) 643-5220.
