Why Root Canals Are No More Painful Than Fillings

Root Canals

A root canal is required when bacteria invade a tooth’s soft tissue containing blood vessels & nerves. Without treatment the infection will spread resulting in an abscessed tooth.

While some still believe a root canals leeds al is painful, the procedure itself is similar to getting a dental filling. It will require two or more appointments & strict oral hygiene will be necessary to ensure the healing process succeeds.

Painless

Despite the fear-mongering that surrounds root canals, they are no more painful than receiving a filling. This is especially true at Singing River Dentistry, where we make sure that your root canal experience is as comfortable as possible.

During the process, the damaged pulp inside your tooth is removed and then cleaned. The opening is then sealed. After that, a temporary filling is placed and then the final crown is put in place during a secondary appointment.

Root canal therapy, also known as endodontic treatment, saves your natural teeth and prevents the need for tooth extraction or dental implants. It also eliminates infection and reduces pain.

The procedure is named a root canals leeds al because the inner tissue, which contains blood vessels and nerves, is in the center of your tooth. When this becomes irritated or infected, it causes a toothache and can lead to an abscess, which requires emergency dental care. The procedure itself is relatively quick and simple if it is done by a skilled dentist or endodontist.

Saves the Tooth

The pain & discomfort of an infected or damaged tooth won’t go away on its own. Left untreated, the infection will worsen & may spread to other teeth or the gums, leading to serious health complications.

Root canal treatment alleviates the pain, preserves the natural dentin & prevents future issues. It also helps to avoid the need for a dental extraction, which can be painful & costly.

After the area is numbed, Dr Gahan will make a small entry point into the infected tooth & carefully remove any infection or inflamed pulp tissue from inside the tooth. The canals are then cleaned, shaped & disinfected, before being filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha.

The tooth is then sealed with a restorative crown to help it bite & chew normally again. A root canal treatment can be very effective and is nothing like the old scary stories you hear about! However, if the treatment isn’t successful the tooth will need to be removed.

Saves the Natural Dentin

A root canal can save your natural tooth, preventing the complications that can result from an extraction. Keeping the roots of your teeth in place promotes proper oral function and prevents jaw bone loss. It also serves as a placeholder, preventing shifting teeth that can lead to bite problems.

After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort from tissue inflammation, but this can be eased with over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Regular dental visits to the dentist can ensure that the root canal treatment is healing properly.

During the root canals leeds al treatment, your Dentist will create an access hole in the tooth that allows him to remove the damaged or dead pulp tissue and clean the interior of the tooth. He will then fill the space with a biocompatible gutta percha material and close the entry hole. He will then restore the tooth with a crown to strengthen it and make it cosmetically appealing.

Permanent Restoration

A root canal is a common procedure that has helped millions of patients. It’s a safe alternative to extraction & can eliminate pain & other symptoms of infection.

Underneath your tooth’s white enamel & hard dentin is a soft center of blood vessels & nerves called pulp. The pulp gets infected by deep decay, cracks & chips or repeated dental procedures. An infected tooth can lead to an abscess that threatens the surrounding tissue if not treated right away.

During a root canal treatment your dentist will make an opening in the tooth & clean the infected pulp, removing the dead pulp & disinfecting the canals. Then a filling is put into the canals, usually a rubbery material called gutta-percha. Afterwards, a crown is put on the tooth to give it strength & support. With proper oral hygiene a tooth that has had a root canal can last a lifetime.