Root Canals

Is the root canal the most- feared dental procedure? It’s got to be close to the top of the list as it brings feelings of dread and pain to many when they face the prospect. At the same time millions of teeth every year are saved by root canals. You can bring an end to that pain (which can be substantial) and save your smile. It’s not going to be as difficult as you think!
Let’s talk about your tooth. There’s the enamel which is the surface. Underneath that is a hard layer known as dentin. Beneath the dentin is a soft tissue. This is the pulp and it contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. When your teeth are developing the pulp helps them grow. In a mature tooth, pulp is not crucial-the tooth can survive on nutrients from tissues surrounding it.
What happens when the pulp is infected? This infection could come from deep decay, a chip or a crack, multiple sessions of dental work, an improper crown, etc. This infection could even come when a tooth sustains a trauma but doesn’t have any indications of damage in the enamel. As the infected pulp worsens, your pain will increase and you may even end up with an abscess.
The solution is simpler than you might think. They go in and take out the pulp. In the same procedure the inside of the tooth is cleaned and carefully disinfected. A material called gutta-percha is put in where the pulp was. Eventually, the top of the tooth is replaced with a crown. If your root canal is done soon after the discovery of the infection, there may be a wait for the crown to be completed. In that interim period you would have a temporary crown in place. After the permanent crown is attached you are good to go- at this point the process is much like getting a traditional crown.
If your dentist tells you that you need a root canal it’s best to take their advice. Letting it get to the point of abscess is even more painful and carries substantial risk. Getting the tooth extracted won’t save as much money as you think and carries its own set of risks, pain, and life-long consequences. If you’ve got some pain and you’re not currently seeing a dentist you can go to http://www.dentaloptimizer.com to find the best dentist near you. Don’t let fear or expense cause you more pain!