The Facts about Root Canals

Getting a root canal is something that most people want to avoid.  Unfortunately, root canals are necessary when a tooth has become badly decayed or is infected.  If left untreated, infected teeth can cause bone loss at the tip of the tooth, swelling throughout the face, neck and head, as well as abscessed teeth.  An abscess forms at the end of the roots of the tooth and is basically a pus-filled pocket.  These are serious problems that can lead to many complications.  These complications can be fatal in extreme cases where the bacteria enters the blood system through an infected tooth.  The risks are too high to let your fear of the root canal process hinder your healing process. 

What happens during a root canal?

A root canal is done to help save an infected tooth.  In order to do this, the nerve and pulp are removed from the tooth and then the inside is cleaned.  Finally, the tooth is sealed so that no more bacteria can enter.  Having a nerve removed sounds scary but the reality is that the tooth's nerve is not necessary for the overall health and function of the tooth.  The nerve is there to detect the sensations of hot and cold, which is not required for proper function.  You need a root canal when the nerve is damaged, so oftentimes the nerve is already dead when a root canal is performed.  One common myth that creates fear about root canals is that they are painful.  In reality, the process is described by most patients as being no more painful than having a filling done.  Local anesthesia is applied to the area around the tooth but may no actually be necessary, since the nerve is dead.

A hole is drilled into the infected tooth so that the pulp and decayed nerve tissue can be removed.  This is done by using root canal files to clean out the inside of the tooth by scraping and scrubbing the bacteria out.  Once the tooth has been completely cleaned and flushed out, it is sealed with a sealer paste inside the tooth and is then given a filling to close the access hole.  Sometimes additional restoration is needed, such as a crown, to make sure that your tooth is as strong as possible. 

What to expect after a root canal?

After a root canal, some patients experience sensitivity around the tooth because of natural tissue inflammation.  Any discomfort can usually be treated with over-the-counter pain medication.  The recovery process is short and most patients can return to their regular activities the next day.  The best news is that root canals have a high success rate.  Once a tooth has been fixed, chances are that fix will last you a lifetime. 

Still nervous?

If you are still experiencing anxiety at the thought of having a root canal done, talk with Dr. Siman about the option of IV Sedation Dentistry.  With IV Sedation you have the option of having your dental work done while you are left feeling as if you slept through the process.  You will be awake but you will have little to no memory of your appointment.  This option has helped many patients combat their fears so that they can get the necessary work done.  Don't compromise your health!  Get the facts and talk with Dr. Siman today.