Do you need a root canal? You've heard of this dental procedure—but don't know much about it. Take a look at the answers to the top questions patients have about this common treatment.
Why Would You Need This Dental Procedure?
This type of oral treatment eliminates bacteria from an infected tooth and can stop inflammation. As the name implies, this type of infection (and the procedure that goes with it) affects the tooth's root canal. This is the area below the surface of the tooth (the root). The canal is the interior part of the root. This channel or open space contains dental pulp. Pulp is a soft tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels.
Infections and inflammation can happen after an injury or with an untreated cavity. This makes it important to seek professional dental treatment as soon as you injure a tooth or notice signs of an infection/dental cavity. These signs could include pain, sensitivity to hot/cold, or difficulty chewing and talking. Some patients never experience pain or sensitivity from a cavity. But routine dental office care can make it possible to find decay and treat it before the infection becomes symptomatic.
Does This Procedure Hurt?
Dental fear is a common issue that many patients experience. This fear or anxiety often comes from concerns about pain or discomfort during a procedure. According to a survey from the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), more than half (57 percent) of participants would prefer one hour inside a room with 10 spiders over a root canal procedure—and 41 percent said that they would rather swim with sharks.
Even though it's clear that more than a few people fear this procedure, it isn't a painful treatment. Modern dentistry has made this endodontic treatment easy and comfortable for most patients. The dentist will numb the area completely or, if you are nervous about the procedure, sedate you for the entire treatment.
Like other types of invasive dental procedures, this type of treatment may have some aftereffects. It's common to feel some discomfort in the area on the same day or in the first few days after a root canal.
Will You Need To Miss Work Or Other Daily Activities?
Most patients will not need to take a significant amount of time off from work, school, or anything else they normally do. Even though you may have some lingering numbness from the anesthetic, it's likely that you could return to work (or your other regular routine) after your dental treatment visit.
Talk to your dentist to learn more about root canals.
Share18 July 2022
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