10 fast facts about root canals – Everything you should know about root canal treatment
There’s something about the term ‘root canal’ that makes this particular dental treatment sound more serious (and maybe a bit scarier) than it really is.
It’s probably understandable if it conjures up images of your friendly endodontist ‘rooting around’ inside your tooth!
So, let’s take you through some facts about root canal treatment to put you more at ease.
What’s inside of your tooth?
1) Inside your tooth (beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin) is soft tissue called pulp that contains blood vessels and nerves which help grow the root of your tooth during its development.
2) A fully developed tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.
Why might I need root canal treatment?
3) An injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, you might need root canal treatment. When left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.
Why having a root canal procedure is a good idea
4) The advantages of saving a natural tooth include efficient chewing, normal biting force and sensation, natural appearance, and protecting other teeth from excessive wear or strain.
5) Having root canal treatment limits the need for ongoing dental work. Saving your natural tooth is far preferable to removal and replacement with a denture or an implant.
Is it a difficult procedure?
6) A root canal procedure is not much more complex and almost as common as getting a filling. Millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year. With proper care, most teeth that have had root canal treatment can last a lifetime. We work with specialist endodontists in cases that are trickier to treat.
What’s involved?
7) Root canal treatment is a three-stage process- removal of the pulp, thorough cleaning of the root canal and filling of the root canal. Most root canal treatments can be done under local anaesthetic, just like a regular filling.
8) Following the treatment, you might need a crown to support and maintain the structure of your tooth.
Middleborough Dental Care has upgraded our equipment
9) Middleborough Dental Care has power-driven equipment that performs more accurate cleaning and shaping of your root canal, thus allowing it to be filled easier and with more predictable results.
10) Dr Samantha has a special interest in root canal treatments and has been keeping her skills and knowledge up to date through the latest courses.
Hopefully, all this information makes you feel more comfortable about the procedure if you do need root canal treatment.
As with every patient, every check-up, and every treatment, the team at Middleborough Dental Care is committed to giving you the most stress-free, pain-free, and caring dental health experience we can.
We’re also always ready to answer any questions you might have, because your comfort is our priority.
anxious patient, no fear, orthodontics, restorative, root canal