If your tooth has a severe infection, your dentist might suggest a root canal to save and fix it. Contrary to what many think, root canal therapy is often painless. It’s crucial not to delay this treatment because ignoring an infection can damage your oral health. Read on to learn more about root canals and why it’s important to get timely treatment for your overall oral well-being.
How Does the Root Canal Procedure Work?
Initially, your dentist will numb the area around the tooth with a local anesthetic to ensure a pain-free procedure. Then, they’ll carefully remove the infected pulp to relieve any discomfort and stop the infection from spreading.
After cleaning the inside of the tooth, they’ll fill it with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. Finally, to seal the tooth, prevent future infections, and restore its appearance and function, your dentist will place a dental crown or filling.
Why It’s a Bad Idea to Wait to Get a Root Canal
Neglecting treatment for an infected tooth can cause the infection to spread to other parts of the body, such as the heart, brain, or lungs, potentially resulting in serious health problems like heart inflammation, brain abscesses, or pneumonia. If the tooth cannot be saved, extraction becomes necessary, leading to additional treatment costs, especially if a replacement tooth is needed.
3 Benefits of Root Canals
Choosing to undergo a root canal procedure provides numerous benefits beyond preventing complications in other areas of the mouth and body. These advantages include:
- No extraction required: Root canal therapy serves as a beneficial alternative to tooth extraction by preserving the natural tooth, which prevents dental shifting and jawbone loss. Keeping your natural teeth through this procedure saves time and money that would otherwise be needed for replacing missing teeth with dental bridges or implants.
- Pain-free smile: Root canal treatment relieves pain caused by infection by removing the infected pulp, containing nerves, leading to a comfortable and pain-free smile.
- Long-term solution: If done correctly, a root canal can offer a long-term solution, potentially lasting a lifetime, allowing you to preserve your natural bite and maintain a complete smile.
Root canals are sometimes seen as intimidating, but there’s no need to fear them. Contrary to common belief, this procedure is no more daunting than getting a large cavity filled. In reality, a root canal aims to save your smile from further harm and promotes overall oral health!
About the Practice
At 21st Century Dental of Irving, we’re proud to have a team of four experienced dentists and caring staff members who are committed to serving the dental needs of patients in the DFW area. Our practice offers a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to ensure that our patients achieve and maintain healthy smiles. We understand how uncomfortable tooth sensitivity and pain can be, and we’re here to provide effective solutions. Whether you’re currently experiencing these issues or are considering root canal therapy, we encourage you to visit our website or call (972) 255-3712.