When people hear about root canal treatments, their initial reaction is one of fear and panic. There is a misconception surrounding this treatment and how painful it is, and the reality is that there is no need to be scared. Root canal therapy helps fix and save decayed teeth but contrary to popular belief, it is not as painful as one might think.
In fact, not only does a root canal treatment not cause pain, it actually relieves it, so it is definitely something you should consider if you are suffering from discomfort and pain. It is a tooth-saving treatment that will make a world of difference in your mouth, so there is no reason to be scared. Tooth decay is serious because it will damage more than your tooth’s outer enamel. The bacterial infection associated with it will work its way into your tooth’s interior and may destroy the nerves and the blood vessels in the pulp, after which it will move into the roots and supporting bone. If left untreated, you will experience tooth loss but a root canal treatment can stop the decay and can save your tooth.
During the process, your dentist will numb the tooth and the surrounding gum tissues using local anesthetic. Some patients may feel a slight pressure during the treatment but that is the extent of the discomfort you may feel. The dentist will then drill into your tooth to access the inner pulp and root canals and will remove all of the diseased tissue. After the interior of your tooth has been disinfected, your dentist will fill the empty pulp chamber and root canals with a pliable filling, which will prevent any future infections. Once the filling is complete, your dentist will then seal the access hole.
After the treatment, you may experience some minor soreness for a few days but over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken to help ease your discomfort. At a later date, your dentist will finish the treatment with a new crown on your tooth, which will strengthen the tooth against stress fracturing while providing another layer of protection against future decay.
The success rate of root canals is very high and this treatment will almost always give diseased teeth a second chance, so there really is no reason to fear the procedure. You will feel a lot better afterwards and will be very glad you went through with it because you will have a healthy mouth and can go back to showing off your smile. Your troubled tooth will no longer cause you any pain or stress, so this treatment is one that you should definitely consider.
KR Dental can provide you with more information. Whether you need dentistry for kids, an emergency dentist or cosmetic dentistry, we can help, so if you are in Oshawa, give our clinic a call today!