Root Canals: Answers to 4 Common Questions

Root canals have gotten a reputation for being scary and painful. However, they come with a number of benefits that are worth considering to restore the health and comfort of your smile. Here’s what you should know before scheduling your next appointment at PureSmile.

What is a Root Canal?

The term “root canal” refers to the pulp-filled cavity located in the root of one’s tooth. This is also the space that contains the connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels of the tooth. Root canals are done to remove infection from one’s tooth, relieve pain, and allow the person’s tooth to remain intact. During a root canal procedure, the dentist will first thoroughly numb the surrounding area of the infected tooth. Then, he or she will clean out any bacteria and infection found in the tooth, and seal the clean area left behind with a filling material.

How Painful is a Root Canal?

While teeth that require a root canal procedure may be painful prior to their treatment, the procedure itself should be virtually painless. With the help of local anesthetics, you shouldn’t feel a thing (other than some pressure) during your root canal procedure. Once your treatment is complete, you may experience minor discomfort for a day or two. But for most people, this is temporary and can easily be remedied with over-the-counter pain medications.

What is the Success Rate of Root Canals?

If you are concerned about your root canal treatment not working as intended, don’t be. Root canal treatments are very common and highly effective. With a success rate of more than 95 percent, it’s not uncommon for teeth that undergo root canal treatment to last for many years following their procedure.

What Are the Pros & Cons of a Root Canal?

If you have ever had a toothache or infected tooth, you know how painful they can be. Fortunately, root canal procedures are known for their effectiveness in alleviating even the most significant tooth pain along with a variety of other benefits. A root cancel can:

• Prevent infection from spreading to other parts of your mouth or body.
• Allow you to keep your natural tooth.
• Restore the comfort of eating and speaking.
• Improve your overall oral health and prevent other problems from occurring from an infected or missing tooth.

While root canals can be a highly effective way to restore the health and comfort of your smile, they may not be for everyone. Some disadvantages that could take place after having a root canal treatment may include:

• You may have discomfort a day or two after the treatment.
• There may be discoloration of the tooth that was worked on.
• The tooth may be weak or prone to damage after the treatment.
• New infections may be possible emerging from unforeseen circumstances, such as an undetected crack in the root of the tooth or more than the number of expected root canals in the tooth.

Signs That You May Need a Root Canal

There are several tell-tale signs that a person may need a root canal treatment, including:

• Significant tooth pain, particularly when you bite down or chew.
• Long-lasting sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures.
• Swelling, inflammation, and tenderness around the tooth.
• Recurring pimples on your gumline.
• Discoloration of the infected tooth.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it’s important to seek professional dental help sooner rather than later. Infected teeth will not get better or heal on their own. On the contrary, they will only get worse, cause more pain, and require more complicated treatment if left unaddressed for an extended period of time. Fortunately, the trusted dental team at PureSmile is well-equipped to handle your dental concerns with an array of restorative dental procedures, including root canal treatments. To learn more about how a root canal could restore the health and comfort of your smile, contact us today! Our friendly team is eager to provide compassionate, professional care to every patient who steps through our door.