Has your dentist recently informed you that you’re going to need a root canal? If so, you might already be dreading this procedure! You’ve seen the television shows and been told stories, and you’re a little uneasy about the prospect of a painful dental procedure. But despite what you’ve heard, root canal therapy is actually good news, as it’s one of the best chances your tooth has at being saved and there is very little pain involved! Keep reading to learn more from your dentist about this procedure and why you shouldn’t be panicking at all.
What Exactly Is a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy, also called endodontic therapy, is meant to treat the inside of your tooth and is one of the most used procedures for dental emergencies. Many standard dental treatments focus on fixing issues present in the outer portion of the tooth; however, sometimes a crack or cavity can extend into the lower part of the tooth, making treatment difficult. But root canal therapy can easily treat these types of problems and prevent them from spreading further!
The process is relatively straightforward; your dentist will first numb the affected area with a local anesthetic. Then they will begin to remove the infected/damaged part of the inner tooth. Once this inner chamber has been totally cleaned out and sealed back up, the tooth is then topped off with a dental filling or crown to complete the restoration. It might sound a little spine-chilling, but root canal therapy isn’t very painful at all; in fact, most patients compare it to about the same amount of pain as having a cavity filled.
Why Root Canals Are Good News
Finding out that you need a root canal should be considered good news! Not only is the procedure relatively painless, but when weighed up against some of the other available options like tooth extraction, root canal therapy is definitely the preferable choice. One of the focuses of modern dentistry is preservation, and dentists will always prioritize a conservative approach to save your natural teeth—they shouldn’t have to come out unless absolutely necessary!
Tooth extractions can also be costly and complicated, and you will also need to worry about having the tooth replaced since missing teeth are incredibly problematic. It might sometimes seem simpler to have a tooth extracted, but that process is timely, intensive, and used for much more serious issues. Root canal therapy allows your dentist to practice the preferred, conservative approach while also quickly relieving any pain or discomfort you’re experiencing.
They might have a bad reputation, but it’s entirely unwarranted! Root canals are good news—don’t hesitate to contact your dentist if you’re in need of root canal therapy. Saving your tooth and receiving pain relief is absolutely worth it.
About the Practice
Stone Street Dental proudly serves the dental needs of patients and families in the Greenville, TX community under the leadership of Dr. Alison K. Garrad and Dr. Gregory H. Duncan! They both share a passion for providing comfortable, elite dental care to their patients and have several collective years of experience and expertise. The practice is pleased to offer many available services including root canal therapy. If you or a loved one is suffering from a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact the practice online or by phone: (903) 455-6075.
