If your tooth is severely infected, your dentist may recommend a root canal to rescue and repair it. Despite common beliefs, root canal therapy is usually painless. It’s important not to postpone this treatment because leaving an infection untreated can harm your oral health. Keep reading to discover more about root canals and why seeking timely treatment is vital for your overall oral health.
How Does the Root Canal Procedure Work?
First, your dentist will apply a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth, ensuring you feel no pain during the procedure. Then, they’ll gently remove the infected tooth pulp to relieve any discomfort and prevent 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
Ignoring treatment for an infected tooth can lead to the spread of infection, putting other parts of the body, like the heart, brain, or lungs at risk. This may result in severe health issues, such as heart inflammation, brain abscesses, or pneumonia.
Eventually, if the tooth cannot be saved, extraction becomes necessary. This will lead to additional treatment costs, particularly if a replacement tooth is required.
3 Benefits of Root Canals
Opting for a root canal procedure offers a multitude of benefits beyond just preventing complications elsewhere in the mouth and body. These include:
- No extraction required: Root canal therapy is a beneficial alternative to tooth extraction, as it preserves the natural tooth, preventing dental shifting and jawbone loss. By retaining your natural teeth, this procedure saves both time and money that would otherwise be spent on replacing missing teeth with dental implants or bridges.
- Pain-free smile: Root canals provide relief from infection-induced pain by eliminating the infected pulp, which contains nerves, resulting in a comfortable and pain-free smile.
- Long-term solution: When performed properly, a root canal can provide a lasting solution, potentially enduring for a lifetime. This enables you to retain a complete smile and preserve your natural bite.
Although root canals are often viewed as intimidating, there’s no need to fear them. Contrary to popular belief, this procedure is no more daunting than having a large cavity filled. In fact, a root canal works to save your smile from further damage and promotes overall oral health!
About the Practice
Arts Family Dentistry of Dallas is dedicated to providing compassionate care to patients residing in the DFW area, ensuring their smiles remain healthy and vibrant. We recognize the distress that tooth sensitivity and pain can bring, and our team is here to offer effective solutions. Whether you’re currently experiencing these symptoms or seeking root canal therapy, don’t hesitate to contact Arts Family Dentistry of Dallas at (469) 981-1700 or visit our website to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward a pain-free smile.