When it comes to dental procedures, few treatments incite anxiety like a root canal. But a root canal shouldn’t be feared. Read on to learn about this misunderstood endodontics procedure.
Many people fear root canals. But that’s because they are mostly misunderstood.
In this blog, our highly experienced team of dentists at Mowry Dental in Fremont, California, share five encouraging facts you should know about root canal therapy.
Endodontics and root canal therapy
Let’s first provide some context on root canal therapy. While procedures like filling a cavity and getting a crown are general dentistry services, root canal therapy falls under a dental specialty area, called endodontics.
Endodontics focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions that threaten the viability of a tooth. Both general dentists specially trained in endodontics and dental specialists called endodontists perform endodontic procedures.
Root canal therapy explained
Root canal therapy is a reset and restore surgical procedure for the innermost layer of a tooth, called the pulp. Dental pulp houses everything that keeps a tooth alive, such as specialized cells and connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.
We start the treatment by administering a local anesthetic and inserting a dental dam to keep the treatment area dry and free of saliva. We access the affected tooth by creating a hole in the top and using small tools to remove the issues causing problems, such as decayed parts of the tooth or infected or damaged pulp.
Once the pulp layer is clear of damaged tissue or toxins, we deep clean with a disinfectant to ensure the tooth is dry and free of residual toxins. We complete the procedure by filling the tooth with a rubber compound and sealing paste, followed by a dental filling to seal the tooth.
In the final step, we install a crown to strengthen the tooth to prevent further damage.
Separating fact from fiction
Although root canal therapy may sound scary, there are numerous benefits, so separating the facts from fiction is important.
1. A root canal may prevent an extraction
A root canal prevents extraction. Saving a tooth is so worth it — on an aesthetic and health level. Nothing beats the look, feel, and function of a natural tooth.
- Root canals relieve pain
When it comes to pain, a popular myth is that root canal therapy causes pain when, in fact, it relieves pain.
Pain associated with root canal procedures is caused by the underlying conditions impacting the affected tooth, such as damaged, diseased, or infected tissue. When we treat the underlying condition, the pain stops.
Post-surgery, you can expect some soreness around the tooth and treatment area for a few days. Fortunately, advances in dental surgery and anesthesia make a root canal no more painful than a filling.
3. Root canals have a high success rate
Maybe the most encouraging fact about root canal therapy is its impressive success rate. In fact, root canal therapy has a whopping 95% success rate.
4. A root canal can prevent infection spread
Since root canal therapy is such an effective way to eliminate toxins, it’s also an excellent tool for preventing the spread of infection to other parts of the body.
5. Teeth restored by a root canal can last a lifetime
Teeth restored by root canal therapy may last a lifetime with vigilant at-home oral care and regular dental checkups.
If you have a toothache or are experiencing gum tenderness, contact Mowry Dental for a consultation. Call us at 510-794-7900 or book an appointment online today.
