Root Canals and Why You Shouldn’t Fear Them

A root canal is a major procedure that involves deep cleaning the inner chamber of the root. Your family dentist might suggest root canal therapy if you have severe cavities, damaged teeth, an abscess, or trauma from past dental procedures. If left untreated, the infection can irritate the surrounding nerves and gums in your mouth.

Pain is a common fear factor in most dental patients. However, it is important to know that advancement in technology has made it possible to minimize any pain or discomfort brought by a root canal. Further, the procedure is meant to eliminate pain related to a decaying or fractured tooth. Though it is normal to experience mild to moderate pain days after a root canal, any discomfort should subside soon after.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Root Canals

Often, any fear towards a root canal procedure is self-inflicted. Browsing photos of patients looking “horrified” after a root canal, which are usually staged for public use, can cloud your judgment and trigger fears.

If you have an upcoming root canal procedure, here are three facts that can help ease your mind:

1. It may not be as painful as you think

As stated earlier, root canals have improved over the last few decades. According to the American Association of Endodontists, survey results show that patients who have undergone a root canal are six times more likely to describe it as “painless.” Meanwhile, people who have never had the treatment define it otherwise.

The truth is, there is no need to worry about pain. Before the procedure begins, your dentist will inject a numbing anesthetic around the infected tooth. And don’t let the word “injection” scare you, either. You will only feel like a slight prick on your gum and nothing more. After that, you may not feel anything at all.

2. Any pain after the procedure is temporary and tolerable

While you may experience pain after the procedure, it will pass after a few days. If you have a low tolerance for pain, your dentist may suggest taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen. In hindsight, most people return to their routine the following day. If you are at risk of an infection, your dentist will give you an antibiotic to fight it off.

3. Your tooth will be saved

The ultimate goal of a root canal treatment is to save the tooth, despite the infection inside, and it is very successful in doing so. According to The Mayo Clinic, root canal-treated teeth can last a lifetime with proper dental care. Also, any signs of you undergoing a dental procedure will not be visible, so you can leave the whole experience behind you. Once your root canal and follow-up appointments are completed, your dentist will set a crown or filling on top of the tooth to make it appear good as new.

Pain After Root Canal

Any pain lasting for more than three days after the procedure should be immediately addressed with your dentist. Recurring pain or swelling is a sign that you may need one to two more sessions for a root canal to be successful. In severe cases, you may require more cleaning sessions.

Let Kyrene Family Dentistry Save Your Teeth

We are specialists in saving teeth and are committed to helping you maintain your natural smile for a lifetime. With our superior technologies, advanced training, and specialized techniques, we can provide the highest quality care and maintenance your teeth deserve. Dial 480-705-9005 to schedule an appointment with our team.