“I’d rather have a root canal!”
That’s the common go-to response to anything unpleasant. But, because the second week of May is “Root Canal Awareness Week,” let’s see if we can take some of the sting out of that cliché by examining just how much root canals actually improve lives!
The pulp chamber and root canals inside each tooth hold the tooth’s pulp, which is living tissue made of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. Nerves and blood vessels in the chamber travel through the tooth’s roots, emerging from a small opening in each root tip to connect to your nervous and circulatory systems.
When the pulp inside your tooth is inflamed because of trauma or infection, it’s a condition called pulpitis. Swelling and pressure inside the tooth cause pain, which can be quite severe. If the tooth is left untreated, infection can spread and lead to bone, tissue, and tooth loss.
A root canal procedure treats irreversible pulpitis. You might need a root canal because an injury or trauma has damaged the root’s pulp. Or because a deep cavity or crack in the enamel has exposed the pulp tissue to bacterial infection. Or because serious gum disease has spread to the pulp via the tooth’s roots.
While severe tooth pain is often a symptom of pulpitis, you should see Dr. Laos if you experience any symptoms which might indicate pulp trauma or infection:
- Persistent tooth pain, which can be either dull or sharp and severe
- Pain when chewing or when pressure is placed on the tooth
- Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold
- A cracked, broken, darkened, or discolored tooth
- Gum tissue near the tooth which is sore, red, or swollen
- A pus-filled bump, called an abscess, on the gums which persists or keeps recurring.
If you’ve been postponing a trip to the dentist because you’re anxious about root canal treatment, talk to your dental team at Dentistry by Design in Tucson about the various sedation options available to provide you with your most comfortable experience.
The root canal procedure itself is safe and straightforward:
- The area around the tooth is numbed.
- The dentist makes a small opening in the crown to allow access to the pulp inside.
- Very small instruments are used to remove infected and dead or dying tissue in the pulp chamber and root canals. The interior of the tooth is cleaned.
- The inside of the tooth and each root is shaped, filled with a biocompatible filling, and sealed.
- A temporary filling or crown is placed on the tooth to prevent food particles and bacteria from entering the site while a permanent crown is created.
- A permanent crown shaped and tinted to match your natural teeth will be placed at a later dental appointment.
The entire process usually takes from one to three visits. Any post-procedure discomfort or sensitivity typically lasts only a few days and is often treated with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, warm saltwater rinses, and ice packs. Dr. Laos will give you detailed instructions for your personalized aftercare.
With all this new information in mind, maybe it’s time to reframe the conversation about root canals!
I’d rather have a root canal . . . than suffer pain.
When a tooth is badly infected or damaged, the pain can be excruciating. Root canal procedures remove the cause of that pain, and many patients feel relief immediately after treatment.
I’d rather have a root canal . . . than lose a tooth.
Losing a tooth can affect your bite, your tooth alignment, your ability to eat, your speech, and your self-confidence.
I’d rather have a root canal . . . than damage my overall health.
Untreated tooth and gum infections can spread to other parts of the body, causing jawbone, face and neck, and, potentially, system-wide infection.
Timely dental care is essential for a lifetime of healthy smiles. If your dentist recommends root canal treatment, get all the facts on just how this procedure can protect and improve your dental health.
So, final thoughts on root canal procedures? They relieve our pain. They save our teeth. They can even safeguard our health. Just something to be aware of, this week and year-round!
