There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about root canals – and unfortunately, a lot of the unfair portrayal these procedures receive stems from television, movies, and pop culture. But root canals have an important role when it comes to preserving your natural teeth, which is always a preferred outcome when it comes to modern dentistry! Continue reading to learn a little more about root canal therapy and some of the indisputable truths about this helpful treatment.
Fact #1: Root Canals Don’t Cause Pain; They Resolve It
Root canals have been made out to be terribly painful procedures, but in truth, today’s root canal procedure is virtually pain-free from start to finish thanks to the use of local anesthetics. Many patients compare the feeling of getting a root canal to the feeling of getting a dental filling. Sedation dentistry can also be used to ensure that a patient is fully comfortable. While it’s true that you might feel some numbness or discomfort following the procedure, it should only be temporary. Remember, root canals involve removing the infected or damaged nerve tissue from your tooth’s interior – which is technically the source of your pain! Once this compromised tissue is out and the tooth has been fortified, you’ll feel much better.
Fact #2: Kids Might Need Root Canals Too
Children don’t often need root canal treatment, thankfully – however, it may be necessary in cases of serious physical trauma, or if severe decay has infected one of their teeth. Sometimes extraction is an option, but often, a root canal makes more sense due to the important role a child’s teeth play in shaping their future dental health. When a primary (baby) tooth is compromised, a pulpotomy or pulpectomy can be performed, which is incredibly similar to a root canal and involves removing the infected nerve tissue from inside the tooth. Of course, if the child has an adult tooth that needs treatment, a standard root canal can be performed.
Fact #3: Root Canals Can Save You a Lot of Money
You may believe that it would simply be cheaper and more convenient to have your problem tooth extracted, but this isn’t true at all. While the upfront cost of a root canal might seem daunting, remember; it’s always going to be cheaper to preserve your existing teeth than to extract them and have them replaced. Not to mention, there are numerous practical oral health benefits to having all your teeth. If you undergo root canal therapy and commit to maintaining excellent oral health, you’ll end up saving money in the long run, compared to needing to undergo more complex treatment.
The bottom line is that there’s nothing particularly scary about root canal therapy – it’s a sure way to resolve your dental pain, save your tooth, and avoid triggering future dental problems.
About the Practice
Our team here at Worcester Endodontics has proudly served patients and families in Worcester and the surrounding community for several years, offering a wide variety of services including root canal treatment! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule an appointment with us for yourself or a loved one, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 755-3636.