Hearing those two little words can be scary and cause a lot of anxiety. But if your dentist recommends this procedure, don’t panic! There is a good reason to go along with it and it just might save your tooth. Endodontists perform root canals on a daily basis and are well-prepared to help you. Los Angeles root canal endodontists can be found with a simple online search. Here are the basics you need to know in order to feel confident about whether a root canal is right for you.
What is a root canal?
This particular treatment is to remove bacteria from an infected tooth root’s canal. This can prevent reinfection from happening, and can save your tooth from having to be removed altogether. During the root canal process, the inflamed tissue is removed and the inside of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Once the holes are filled and the tooth is usually capped with a crown to both protect the tooth, as well as provide a more natural look and function.
How do you know if you need a root canal?
There are many symptoms you could possibly experience that will convince you to at least go see the dentist about. You could have one or all of these, depending on the condition of your tooth. If you’re experiencing severe pain when you’re chewing or biting on something, have a chipped or cracked tooth, have lingering sensitivity to cold or hot, have swollen and/or tender gums, or darkening of the gums, you may need to have a root canal. At the very least, you should go get it looked at to avoid further issues down the road.
Does a root canal hurt?
Like any other dental procedure, you’ll receive anesthesia to numb any kind of feeling within your tooth, gums, and tissues surrounding the area. The root canal itself isn’t any more painful that what you’d feel while getting a cavity filled or a having a wisdom tooth removed. The noticeable difference in pain is that you may feel a bit more tender or sore for a few days after the procedure since the root canal goes deep into the gums. You may even go back to work or other obligations right after the procedure, if needed.
Hopefully this information has helped to answer your questions and dispel your fears about root canals. If you’re feeling any of the symptoms mentioned, be sure to schedule an appointment with your endodontist before it’s too late to save your tooth!