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Is Getting a Root Canal Really That Bad?
Posted August 19, 2020 by Dr. Brian Evans
When someone tells you that they need to have a root canal, do you immediately grimace and start thanking your lucky stars that it’s not happening to you? You’re not alone. Many people who hear the words “root” and “canal” together shudder in fear. After all, this dental treatment doesn’t have the best reputation. But we’re here to tell you that all the horror stories, all of the overdramatic representations of root canals on television, and all of the terror surrounding them are unnecessary. That’s right, your dentist in Reno wants you to know that getting a root canal isn’t really all that bad.
Why Are People Scared of Root Canals?
Historically, and before the dental technology that we have now, getting a root canal may have been a bit different than today. That, paired with how root canals are represented in entertainment, has created a long-standing assumption that root canals are terrible, horrible, and super painful. However, thanks to advances in technology, root canal treatment is very similar to that of having a cavity filled.
What Does a Root Canal Do for Someone?
A root canal may be recommended by your dentist in Reno if decay or infection has moved deep into the inner workings of the tooth and a filling alone won’t fix the problem. This level of decay or infection also tends to come along with tooth pain, but a root canal will successfully remove the decay and actually ease the pain. So thanks to a root canal, your pain will be relieved and your tooth will be saved.
What’s Involved in a Root Canal Treatment?
Understanding a root canal treatment can really help decrease fear or anxiety and overturn old assumptions of what treatment is like. Let’s take a closer look at how a dentist in Reno performs a root canal.
- First, your dentist will completely numb the area so you won’t feel a thing. This makes a root canal virtually pain free.
- Next, a tiny hole is made in the affected tooth which allows your dentist to access the inside where all the roots and nerves are located.
- Then, the area is thoroughly cleaned out. Your dentist will empty out the tooth canals and remove everything inside including, any infection, pulp, and nerves. This completely eliminates that tooth’s ability to feel anything, alleviating the pain you had prior to treatment.
- Finally, the canals are sealed and capped off with a dental crown to keep anything from getting back inside the tooth.
Do You Need a Root Canal?
Besides tooth pain, there are other signs that you may need a root canal including:
- Increased pain while chewing or with applied pressure
- Sensitivity to heat or cold that doesn’t go away quickly
- A small raised bump on the gums near the tooth that hurts
- Tooth discoloration
- Gum inflammation
Any of the above or any combination thereof may indicate that you need a root canal. However, not every case of tooth pain, sensitivity, or inflammation automatically means a root canal is in your future. Talk with your dentist in Reno to find the source of these problems as well as the best treatment for your specific situation.
If you think you may need a root canal, schedule an appointment with your dentist sooner rather than later. Getting treatment earlier can make all the difference in saving your tooth. And if you do need a root canal, remember that it’s to help make the pain go away, not to cause it.
