I’m Anxious About My Upcoming Root Canal

Root canals were once a painful procedure that filled people with dread. Today, dentists perform over 15 million painless root canal treatments, allowing patients to save their teeth and improve oral health.

Many of our patients mistakenly assume that root canals are still a procedure to be feared, so much so that 54% of adults say they’d rather deal with being stuck in an elevator than have a root canal. 

Fortunately, root canals that dentists perform today are nearly painless. Here at Chester Family Dentistry, our top-quality dentists, Ana Chester, DDS, and Amy Caicco, DDS, do their very best to keep you comfortable when you undergo tooth-saving procedures such as root canals. 

Here’s why there’s nothing to fear when it comes to a root canal.

Root canals save your teeth

When bacteria heavily infect the soft, nerve-filled pulp inside your tooth, we may recommend a root canal procedure to save your tooth. A root canal involves cleaning out the infected tooth by removing the tooth’s pulp, and restoring the shape and function of the tooth with a crown. 

Root canals are virtually painless

The reality is that the root canal procedure has improved over the past few decades. No longer is it something to dread. Here’s what happens:

First, we numb the area surrounding the affected tooth with a local anesthetic. Then we drill a small hole in the tooth to access the pulp inside. We remove the infected pulp and thoroughly clean the tooth.  

After cleaning and disinfecting the tooth, we fill the empty space with a biocompatible stabilizing material before placing a temporary crown. 

Root canals prevent more trouble down the road

Having a root canal is much better than losing your tooth. With a root canal, you’re only losing the pulp inside your tooth, and adult teeth can continue to function without the pulp. 

When you leave an infected tooth untreated, you risk losing your entire tooth and raise the risk of developing a dangerous infection that spreads.

By removing the infected pulp and the root canals, we can save your tooth. 

After your root canal

The treatment area remains numb and pain-free for hours after your procedure. During that time, avoid chewing anything hard, which puts you at risk for damaging the soft tissues of your mouth.

Tooth sensitivity is normal for a few days following your root canal. You can manage any sensitivity or pain with over-the-counter medication.

We discuss looking out for signs of problems. Contact our office right away if you experience unusual symptoms such as severe pain or excessive bleeding. 

Root canals preserve your natural teeth and are a necessary procedure to keep your gums and bone tissue healthy. 

To learn more about the benefits of root canals, contact our friendly staff at our Warren, Ohio, office to schedule an appointment today.