Is Root Canal Therapy Painful?
If you’re like most adults, when you hear the words “” you immediately think of long time spent in the dental chair and immense discomfort. Contrary to popular belief, a root canal procedure is designed to alleviate tooth pain, not make it worse. Moreover, our Washington dentists always put patient comfort first and make sure you’re at ease while they work to save your tooth.
Here’s what you need to know about and how it’s necessary when restoring a patient’s oral health.
Debunking Popular Myths
To help set the record straight about root canal therapy, it’s important to take a look at a few common misconceptions.
First off, every instance of a toothache does not mean a root canal is in your future. Our dentists will only perform the root canal procedure if the inside portion of your tooth, the pulp, is infected. On the other hand, not every infected tooth causes pain so it’s a good idea to visit our Washington dental office regularly for a checkup.
Root canal therapy is also not insanely painful to undergo. Thanks to modern dental technology, treating an infected tooth is similar to having a cavity filled. The procedure itself is very common and recovering fully only takes a few days with minimal discomfort. Most of the time all a patient needs is over-the-counter pain medication.
Lastly, many people think it would just be better to remove the infected tooth. This is not true. Saving a natural tooth is always preferred when possible. Our dentists will not resort to tooth extraction unless the damage done is beyond repair. Prematurely removing a tooth without a dedicated plan involving restoration like a dental implant can lead to crowding and possibly, further tooth loss.
Purpose of a Root Canal Procedure
The core purpose of root canal therapy is threefold. First, it’s designed to get rid of existing bacteria located within a tooth’s root canal. Once the tooth is cleaned out, the goal is to now prevent any future infection and thirdly, to save the tooth.
Above all else, our dentists performing a root canal procedure means less pain for you and healthy teeth. It’s not something to be afraid of, it’s a good thing intended to keep your smile in good condition!
What to Expect for Your Appointment
Before the tooth is treated, our dentists will apply a local anesthesia to properly numb the surrounding area. Many times the nerve inside the tooth is dead which limits feeling, but anesthesia is applied nonetheless for a more relaxing experience. A rubber dam will also be placed around the tooth at this time to keep saliva out and everything dry.
Next, a hole is drilled into the tooth. Through this hole, our dentists will remove the infected pulp and bacteria from inside the tooth’s root canal. Files designed for the root canal are used within the tooth to scrub the sides and clean out any remaining debris. Water or another cleaning solution is also used periodically during this stage.
Our dentists will then seal the tooth with a material called gutta-percha, a rubber compound and sealer paste. A tooth-colored filling is then placed over the exterior access hole that was drilled at the start of the procedure. If necessary, a dental crown may also be placed over the tooth for extra protection and strength.
Take Action to Avoid Extraction
No one wants to lose a tooth. If you have a severe toothache or if something seems off, please see our dentists in Washington, MI, as soon as possible so we can help restore your smile. To request an appointment, call Romeo Family Dentistry at (586) 752-3589 today.