Does The Thought Of Getting A Root Canal Fill You With Dread?
Misinformation has led root canals to be considered the worst thing to happen to you. Root canals are one of the most common procedures today. In fact, over 15 million are done annually in the United States.
But here’s what most people don’t realize…
Root canals save teeth. They don’t take them away from you.
When a tooth is damaged or severely infected, most people think the dentist is going to have to pull it. The good news is, they don’t have to. Root canal therapy, along with quality implant treatments when preservation isn’t possible, has changed the way we view tooth repair. Dentists now have a number of ways to help you save a tooth, and they can walk you through your options. It helps to know a little bit about the process.
Here’s what we cover:
- What Exactly Is A Root Canal?
- Why Root Canals Are Necessary
- What The Procedure Actually Involves
- Recovery And Long-Term Success
What Exactly Is A Root Canal?
The process is simpler than you think.
Root canal is a dental procedure that removes infected or damaged tissue from inside your tooth.
Let’s break it down.
Your tooth has a soft inner core known as the pulp. This part of the tooth contains the nerves and blood vessels, along with connective tissue that helps your tooth grow and develop.
The pulp is not really necessary for the tooth to survive once it has fully matured.
The problem is, the pulp is vulnerable. When bacteria find their way in through cracks, chips, or deep cavities, they can cause infection. The result is pain, swelling, and the spread of the infection to other areas of the mouth and body.
The dentist removes the infected pulp, cleans the inside of the tooth, and seals it to prevent future infection with a root canal. The tooth stays in the mouth and is able to function normally.
It’s pretty simple, really.
They’re trying to save the tooth, not yank it out of your head.
Why Root Canals Are Necessary
The process of a root canal is necessary for a number of reasons.
Root canals are needed when the pulp inside the tooth becomes infected or inflamed.
A variety of factors can cause infection and inflammation to occur, including:
- Deep cavities that reach the pulp
- Cracks or chips that damage the tooth
- Repeated dental work on the same tooth
- Trauma or injury to the tooth
Sometimes, the pulp becomes infected without there being any visible sign of damage or decay on the tooth. This is another reason it is so important to go in for regular dental checkups. The dentist can often spot problems early before they get bad enough to need root canal treatment.
Did you know that many people put off going in until they are in severe pain?
The infection has already spread and the damage has been done by then. It’s always better to get in early.
The only alternative to a root canal is extraction. Losing a natural tooth isn’t a good thing. It can lead to shifting teeth, bone loss, and a whole host of other issues. Difficulty chewing and biting properly is a common side effect.
What The Procedure Actually Involves
The amount of pain involved with a root canal is one of the biggest misconceptions.
The truth is this…
A modern root canal procedure is no more painful than having a regular filling done. Thanks to advanced anesthesia and dental techniques, research shows that patients who have had root canals are 6 times more likely to rate the procedure as being painless compared to those who had a tooth extraction.
The step-by-step procedure is easy to understand.
The dentist begins the process by numbing the area completely. Once you’re good to go, they make a small opening in the top of the tooth to access the pulp chamber.
The cleaning process is next… They take out the infected pulp using special tools. The inside of the tooth is then carefully cleaned and disinfected.
Once that’s done, the empty space is filled with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. This seals the inside of the tooth and prevents new infections from occurring.
Finally, the tooth is sealed with a temporary filling. In most cases, a permanent crown will be placed on the tooth to protect it and restore full function.
The entire process takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Complex cases may take two visits, but most can be completed in a single appointment.
Recovery And Long-Term Success
Root canal treatments have an incredibly high success rate.
Studies have shown that 90-95% of root canal treatments are successful. The good news is that teeth that get proper follow-up care can last a lifetime.
What To Expect After Treatment
Most people have little to no discomfort after a root canal. Sensitivity or mild pain that may be present subsides within a few days. Over-the-counter pain medication is typically all that is needed.
The most important thing for long-term success is getting the permanent restoration.
The root canal does weaken the tooth slightly. This is why most teeth need a crown for protection. Teeth that receive a crown after a root canal last significantly longer than teeth that don’t receive proper restoration.
Factors That Impact Success
A few different things impact how successful a root canal is over time.
The sooner you treat the infection, the better. The less developed it is, the easier the procedure is for the dentist and the better the outcome will be.
Experience and skill matter too.
Root canals take precision and a strong attention to detail. Dentists who use advanced technology such as digital imaging and microscopes increase accuracy and success rates.
Proper aftercare and follow-up are important too. Patients who continue to practice good oral hygiene, attend regular dental checkups, and are conscientious about protecting the tooth help increase success rates.
The Bottom Line
Millions of teeth are saved by root canals every year, and it has an excellent success rate.
The procedure itself is simple, and thanks to modern techniques, it isn’t that bad either. You get to keep your natural tooth instead of having to have it extracted. With proper care and the right follow-up treatment, most teeth treated with root canals will last for decades.
Keep these things in mind:
- Root canals take infected tissue out of the tooth while saving your natural tooth
- Root canals are no more painful than a regular filling due to modern techniques
- Success rates are excellent if you follow proper aftercare
- Early intervention leads to better success and simpler treatment
If the dentist says you need a root canal, it’s because they want to save your tooth. Extraction, the alternative, can lead to bigger problems in the future. Bridges or implants to fill the gap may become necessary, and that’s a big inconvenience.
Prevention is always better than treatment. Brush twice a day, floss regularly, and make sure to keep up with your dental checkups.
