Dentist Near Richardson Dispels Myths And Explains The Benefits Of Root Canal Treatment

Root canals are not a popular treatment. In fact, they have a bad reputation, and seem to cause patients anxiety and apprehension. It’s unfortunate that there is such negativity surrounding root canal therapy, because this procedure is quite common and effective at eliminating pain and improving oral health in the event of tooth infection. When bacteria infect the pulp chamber of the tooth, the diseased tissue must be removed to save the tooth and prevent further damage. That’s exactly what a root canal does, it eliminates diseased tissue and cleans out the inside of the tooth.

At Perfect 32 Family Dentistry, we perform root canals on patients with infected teeth or deep decay , so we can save the tooth from extraction and alleviate the patient’s pain. In the following article, we will explain the many benefits of root canal treatment for patients in the Richardson, TX area.

Root Canal Is A Simple, Straight Forward Procedure

Over the years, we’ve discovered that a lot of the misconceptions about root canals stem back to the belief that it is a difficult, or complex procedure. The truth is, root canals are not all that different from traditional fillings. The procedure can be done with sedation to keep the patient comfortable and relaxed. Like a traditional filling, local anesthetic is used to numb the area thoroughly before the dentist creates a hole to access the diseased tissue. The pulp is removed, and the area is disinfected before it is sealed. The final step is to put a dental crown over the tooth to strengthen it.

Root Canals Eliminate Painful Tooth Aches

Anyone who has ever had an infected tooth knows that it can be a painful occurrence. Infected teeth can cause a range of symptoms including:

• Mild to severe pain that can be constant or intermittent
• Bad smell or taste around the infection
• Fever
• Swelling
• Difficulty chewing or opening the mouth
• Tenderness

While over the counter pain relievers can alleviate some of these symptoms, they don’t address the cause. Root canal treatment eliminates the root cause that is causing these symptoms for complete relief.

Root Canals Can Prevent Extractions

When an infected tooth is left untreated, it can cause several problems. The most concerning is that the tooth may begin to deteriorate to the point it falls out or needs to be extracted. At that point, treatment becomes much more involved as restorations will be required to replace the gap in the smile.

It Improves The Appearence Of  Your Smile

Infected teeth can begin to undergo aesthetic changes such as darkening or cracks and fissures. During a root canal treatment, the hole in the tooth is sealed with tooth colored composite resin and the custom crown is fabricated to blend in with the rest of your smile for a beautiful, natural looking restoration.

It Improves Your Health

Having an infected tooth can cause more problems than pain. When an infection is left untreated, it can spread to other areas such as nearby teeth, gums, or even the rest of your body. Root canals are a proactive way to improve your health.

Preventing Root Canals

If you are still anxious about the root canal procedure, there are steps you can take to prevent ever needing to have one. The best things you can do is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink plenty of water, maintain good oral hygiene at home which includes regular brushing and flossing and make sure to schedule (and attend!) your twice-yearly dental check-ups. During our exams we can look for early signs of decay and treat the problem before it progresses to a painful infection.

Do you think you might need a root canal? If you have a persistent toothache that won’t go away, or any of the other symptoms listed above, you should schedule an appointment with Perfect 32 Family Dentistry as soon as possible. Seeking prompt treatment is an important part of restoring your health and your smile.  With our experience, we promise to make the entire root canal process simple and pain-free. If you are in the Richardson, TX area, call us today at (469)-804-5677 to learn more.