In all aspects of life, sometimes a person, thing, or in this case, a dental procedure can earn a bad reputation. The root canal has earned such a reputation, perhaps because it used to be a more painful procedure. However, with our modern advancements, enhanced knowledge, and the reality that it’s a vital treatment, the root canal is actually an extraordinary treatment. Plus, it may be the only way to save your tooth. Take a minute and explore one of the most widely hated procedures, and see why it’s absolutely vital for some patients.
The Inner-Layers of Our Teeth
We’re all familiar with the outer layer of our teeth – we brush it, chew with it, and everyone sees it when we smile. But what many people don’t know is that there are other parts inside of your teeth that keep it alive. They include the pulp, nerves, roots, and even a section called the root canal which gives this treatment its name. When an infection spreads to these inner areas of the tooth, it can cause immense pain and may have to be extracted.
The Anatomy of a Tooth
Credit: WebMD, 2009
What Exactly is a Root Canal?
Essentially, a root canal involves removing all of the inner parts of a tooth that keep it alive, thereby eliminating the need for extraction. When faced with a severely infected tooth, the two most common choices are as follows:
- Extract the tooth and replace the gap with a bridge or dental implant
- Get a root canal and have a custom crown cover the damaged tooth
The option involving the root canal saves your tooth and spares you from the extra money and time required for a replacement. This is why root canals are beneficial to those who are in that situation -They may be the only way to prevent you from losing a tooth.
The Irony of Root Canals
The fact that root canals are such a dreaded procedure is an irony when you consider one of their most common uses. When patients enter a dental office complaining of severe pain to their teeth, often this pain is debilitating and is keeping them from focusing on anything else. Well, guess what procedure is most often used to alleviate this pain and provide relief? The root canal. The truth is that the root canal relieves far more pain than it ever causes.
Root Canals are Nothing to Worry About!
Although root canals have developed a bad reputation, there is typically little pain involved in a modern root canal. When you arrive for your root canal treatment, your Nashville doctor will begin by administering anesthesia to numb the area. Anesthesia is extremely effective at Dentistry of Nashville and you can expect little to no pain during your procedure. Plus, it really doesn’t make sense that a root canal would be worse than more intensive surgeries, such as gum grafts or sinus augmentations – anesthesia removes the pain from these procedures.
Visit Our Nashville Team and Avoid the Need for Root Canals
A major part of preventing infection is showing up for your biannual appointments at Dentistry of Nashville. Only through consistent dental care can we remove the hardened tartar that develops on your teeth and stop dental problems before they get worse. While the root canal is an extremely useful procedure, our dental team in Nashville wants you to avoid the need for one as long as possible. Contact us to see how we can help your smile.
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