Root canal procedures are one of the most feared and dreaded dental procedures. For many individuals, even a mention of a root canal causes major anxiety. However, root canal procedures are actually highly effective in eliminating the pain that is being caused by an infected tooth. In many cases, the fear and anxiety surrounding a root canal procedure is due to a lack of understanding about what this procedure really entails.
A root procedure is a highly effective, restorative dental procedure that can be used to restore the health of a tooth that has become infected. This infection in the nerve and pulp located in the center of a tooth can be caused by decay, trauma or repeated dental procedures. An infected tooth can cause significant pain. A successful root canal procedure can eliminate the pain being caused by the infected tooth.
If the infected tooth is not treated properly in a timely manner, it can lead to more serious and painful dental problems including an abscessed tooth. Waiting too long to treat an infected tooth can prevent the tooth from being restored and saved. In some cases, the tooth must simply be extracted.
During a root canal, a dentist or Endodontist goes into the tooth and removes the infected nerve and pulp from the center of the tooth. The dentist then cleans the area inside the tooth and seals the tooth to prevent further infection. Most dentists or Endodontists offer a variety of anesthetic options that can be used during a root canal procedure. This may include some combination of injected anesthetics (numbing agents), inhaled sedation, or oral sedation. If you are in need of a root canal procedure, your dentist or Endodontist can recommend the best method of pain relief for you based on your medical history, your level of fear/anxiety and the specifics surrounding your root canal procedure.
Don’t let fear or anxiety keep you from seeking treatment for an infected tooth. Instead, talk to your dentist today about how you can work together to make your root canal procedure as pleasant and as painless as possible.