In pop culture, root canals have become something of a shorthand for “painful dental procedures.” The cartoon version might have a character walk out of the dentist’s office with a bright red swollen cheek, covered in crisscrossed bandages, smothered in an absurdly large ice pack. The fact is, the idea that root canals are painful is outdated. If you have a deep infection in a molar, it’s about the easiest treatment option there is. To assuage your fears, here are a few reasons why you won’t regret getting a root canal.
#1: Anesthetics Will Save You
Root canals are usually done in response to an infection in a tooth’s “pulp,” i.e., the soft nerve tissue at its center. The procedure involves entering through the top of the tooth, removing any damaged tissue, and replacing it with a composite.
While that may sound scary, you aren’t going to feel any of it. In fact, if you close your eyes, you wouldn’t be able to even tell that any dental work is being done. Your dentist makes use of powerful anesthetics that can instantly numb entire portions of your mouth. They’re so effective that patients often nod off during root canal procedures.
#2: You Don’t Have to Deal with a Toothache
The pulp within a tooth is full of bundles and bundles of nerves. When that tissue becomes inflamed, it hurts. Any discomfort before, during, or after a root canal will pale in comparison to the toothache that brought you to the dentist in the first place. The main thing that treatment will offer you will be relief, which is a sweet deal when you consider the alternative:
#3: Your Tooth Cannot Heal on Its Own
Once bacteria start to build up inside your tooth’s pulp, things will only get worse. Even if the discomfort fades, the infection will not. If left untreated, the result will be extreme tooth decay.
If you wait, the treatment also becomes more involved. Once decay begins to get serious, the options start to narrow. Eventually, extraction will be the only choice left. Extractions are more expensive and have a much longer recovery time than root canals. Treating the issue before it gets to that point will put you in a much better situation.
Fear of root canals in the modern era is unfounded. There isn’t going to be any pain involved and delaying treatment will only make your situation much worse.
About the Author
At Indianapolis Family Dentistry, we combine the latest technology with a gentle touch to ensure that every patient we see is comfortable. Dr. Farthing and Dr. Tepner are both immensely qualified dentists who have all the expertise necessary to make your procedure as easy for you as possible. If you have any questions about root canal therapy, we can be reached at our website, or by phone at (317) 898-3384.