Have you overheard someone comparing an unpleasant experience of having a root canal? Root canals have been the butt of jokes for ages. Perhaps that may have been justified in the past, but dental technology and treatment methods have made the root canal a relatively painless and commonplace procedure. The fact is, root canals don’t cause pain; they relieve it. We want to clear up some misconceptions for you. Read on to find out why you shouldn’t dread a root canal.
Embrace the Root Canal!
Did you know that your tooth’s enamel is harder than bone? It is the hardest substance in the body. The next layer of your tooth is dentin, which is also harder than bone, but softer than enamel. These two tough layers protect the interior of your tooth, the soft tissue, called the pulp, that contains the nerves and blood vessels that nourish your tooth. Despite being protected by the hard, outer layers, the pulp can become infected from a deep cavity or trauma. That infection can cause excessive tooth sensitivity, extreme pain, and possible bone damage, which could result in the loss of the tooth.
Rather than dread the procedure, you can look at the root canal as a relatively painless way to save your tooth. You’ll be given a local anesthetic, so you’ll feel no pain during the root canal procedure. Any minor discomfort you feel afterward can typically be treated with over-the-counter medications and will be more than offset by the elation you’ll feel with the elimination of the painful infection.
Saving your tooth through root canal treatment is efficient and cost-effective. Without the root canal treatment, tooth loss is likely. When that happens, you’ll be faced with the time and cost of getting tooth replacements like dentures, bridges, or implants. The root canal procedure allows you to keep your natural smile, eat the foods you love and reduces or eliminates the need for future dental work.
Save Your Teeth
Our goal, always, is first and foremost to save your natural teeth. The root canal makes that possible for severely damaged or infected teeth. With proper care, your root canal restored tooth can last a lifetime. For more information about how a root canal can save your tooth, or to make an appointment, contact our office today. We proudly serve patients in Boca Raton, Florida, and the surrounding areas.
Best,
The Dental Care of Boca Raton Team
