You’d rather have a root canal!
Root canal therapy is nothing like it used to be. Many patients
even take a nap during root canal therapy.
Painful Pulp
Your teeth contain several layers: the outer protective enamel,
a secondary layer of sensitive dentin, and an inner pulp that
contains components commonly referred to as the “nerve”
of the tooth. Each pulp chamber branches off, forming canals that
lead toward the tooth root tip. These infamous root canals provide
a means for the tooth to absorb what it needs from the blood and
get rid of toxins or other unnecessary materials via the blood
stream. A deep cavity, traumatic injury, or tooth fracture can
make the canal susceptible to bacterial infection, which can kill
the pulp, stimulate increased blood flow, and create pressure
within the tooth. This can cause severe tooth pain and may initiate
bone degeneration, tooth loss, and even more acute pain. If you
see a dentist in the earliest stages of this condition, the tooth
may be saved with root canal therapy. Otherwise, it should be
extracted and replaced with a prosthetic device.
Easy Does It
Will root canal therapy hurt? Not with today's advanced analgesics
and technology. In fact, the entire process can be so comfortable
that many patients doze off. Oftentimes, root canal therapy can
be completed in a single appointment. We simply clean out the
diseased canal, fill the canal with a biologically-inert substance,
seal it from further infection, and you're on your way. While
some patients experience post-procedural soreness or slight tissue
inflammation, these are controllable with over-the-counter analgesics.
Follow-up care involves thorough home hygiene and regular dental
visits for cleanings and check ups.
