5 Facts You Need to Know About Root Canals

Studies have found that people are more afraid of root canal treatment than public speaking. It’s a dental procedure surrounded by myths and misconceptions that just aren’t true. Root canals are performed to treat infected teeth and save you from further damage. To dispel any myths about the procedure, here are 5 facts you should know about root canals.

FACT #1: Root canals aren’t typically painful nowadays.

Root canals are usually regarded as painful. The truth is, modern-day dentists have access to the best dental sedation, numbing agents, techniques, and technology medicine has to offer to ensure your procedure is no less cumbersome than a standard filling!

In actuality, root canals typically help to alleviate the discomfort patients are experiencing from a deep cavity or cracked tooth.

FACT #2: Your tooth will need a dental crown afterward.

After your root canal procedure, you’ll get a custom-made dental crown or filling over your tooth to protect it from recurring decay or infection. A root canal removes more of the tooth than a regular filling, so it’ll need to be reinforced or covered to protect its inner parts.

FACT #3: A root canal can save your tooth and protect your surrounding teeth.

If your dentist is recommending a root canal, it’s best to get it done as soon as possible to preserve your tooth. The alternative to getting root canal treatment is usually extraction.

Root canals also protect the teeth surrounding the affected tooth. It might seem more cost-effective to get a single tooth removed over root canal treatment, but doing so can put the surrounding teeth at risk of shifting or becoming loose. This means more dental trouble and extra costs down the line.

FACT #4: Symptoms can differ but still call for a root canal.

Here are some symptoms that may call for a root canal:

• Dull pain
• Dental pain that comes and goes
• Dental pain only when you eat
• Tender, inflamed, or infected gums
• A pus-filled bump on the

If you were experiencing tooth pain that has gone away, you may think that means you don’t need a root canal. However, often when the root of a tooth dies, the discomfort goes with it. So, if you have been experiencing any of the above symptoms, please contact your dentist.

FACT #5: You can get a root canal done in as few as two visits.

The procedure used to be quite long, but nowadays, it can be done quickly. You might get a temporary filling with your initial treatment and have to return for a crown. In just two appointments, the severe dental pain you were experiencing will be a distant memory. You’ll feel relief right away!

About the Practice

At On Point Dentistry™, your smile will be under the talented and experienced hands of Drs. Marco Caballeros and Carlos Parra. Whether you need a checkup or dental implant surgery, On Point Dentistry™ is committed to providing high-quality services in both Spanish and English. The practice offers same-day appointments available for patients in need of root canal treatment. If you want to learn more about root canals, contact On Point Dentistry™ at their website or by phone at (469) 476-4092.