Why You Shouldn’t Delay a Recommended Root Canal
Aug 06, 2024
Some people look forward to their regular dental cleaning appointments. If you have pain due to a cavity, chances are you’d like the pain to stop, and people who have chosen to have cosmetic procedures look forward to the results. Other than those situations, not many people look forward to dental appointments.
Perhaps the root canal is the most dreaded of all. No one at Llanos Dental Group can recall a patient who was enthusiastic about a root canal! However, Laura Llanos, DMD, and our staff want you to know that modern root canals are not the painful experience you may be worried about.
We would even go so far as to say that a root canal is a relatively painless experience that immediately leaves you feeling better. Advancements in dentistry mean that root canals are much simpler than they once were. They are also incredibly common, with dentists in the United States performing some 41,000 root canals each day!
Root canals are usually performed to save your natural tooth. If Dr. Llanos recommends one, it’s because you have a cavity or infection deep in your tooth, near the nerve.
A standard filling is for a cavity in the enamel or outer layer of your tooth. A root canal treats an infection that has damaged tissue all the way down to the root of your tooth.
Although a filling and a root canal are different, both procedures begin in a similar way. Dr. Llanos numbs the area where she will be working completely so that you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. This means that any pain you are experiencing is eliminated right then.
Once the numbing medication takes effect, Dr. Llanos drills a tiny hole in your tooth so that she can insert tools to clean the inside of your tooth and the canal where the root is. She also removes any damaged or infected tissue.
Once the area is clean and disinfected, Dr. Llanos dries it and fills it in with a special dental material that resembles rubber. This material seals the hole and prevents future infection.
The last step is placing a crown to restore the appearance and function of your tooth. The crown also provides another layer of protection.
Saving your natural tooth helps keep all of your other teeth in place and preserves your jawbone and even the structure of your face.
A root canal eliminates infection. If left unchecked, infection can spread to the gums and jawbone.
You may also develop a dental abscess, a pocket of pus, and an infection that causes intense pain, inflammation, and fever. The infection can even get into your bloodstream, which can be life-threatening for people with a compromised immune system.
The sooner your root canal is done, the less likely an abscess will occur and the greater the likelihood of saving your tooth. Although abscesses can be successfully treated, they often require extracting the affected tooth.
Getting your root canal often means saving your teeth and avoiding more pain and more complicated treatment.
Additionally, earlier treatment means a simpler procedure. You save money because the dental work involved in a root canal is less complex than treating a more extensive infection.
If you’ve been advised to get a root canal, don’t delay. If you have a toothache and you’re worried you might need one, schedule an appointment at Llanos Dental Group today.