Despite root canals’ very bad reputation, they are actually not as painful as you fear. In fact, it’s more painful living with an infected tooth! An infected tooth can lead to a more widespread problem that can result in more extensive, invasive care. We’re discussing a few of the reasons you have nothing to be afraid of when you visit us for root canal treatment. 

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal, or endodontic treatment, actually refers to two Greek words: “endo” for inside and “odont” for tooth. It eliminates the infection that has reached inside (the pulp) of the tooth. The old ways of doing root canals inspired the common expression we refer to when something is painful. However, with the way dental care is advanced, this process won’t be painful for you at all. 

The Benefits of a Root Canal

When you have an infected tooth, the last thing you want to do is to ignore the pain. While it’s never fun to hear you’ll need a root canal, here are a few ways to see this treatment in a positive light:

  • You’ll restore your oral health. When your oral health is at risk, it can often distract you from what you are enjoying about your life. You may not be able to enjoy food or focus properly because of your pain.
  • You’ll avoid the infection from spreading to other teeth. If you ignore an infection, it can actually spread to your other teeth. This can lead to widespread tooth loss if left untreated.
  • You’ll avoid tooth extraction. A root canal is actually a way of saving your tooth! It leaves your tooth intact, so you avoid losing any jaw bone health and avoid an extraction procedure. 

What Happens During a Root Canal?

When you visit our office for your root canal treatment, you’ll discover the procedure to be completely comfortable and efficient. During the root canal treatment, Dr. Wallin will start with an examination of your mouth to identify the infection in your mouth. He will numb your mouth with a local anesthetic to numb you from experiencing any sort of discomfort. Then he will use rotary endodontics to carefully and efficiently remove the infection and clean out the inside of your tooth. He will fill in the space where the infection was using a material called gutta-percha. 

You’ll receive aftercare instructions to take care of your tooth while it’s healing. When your mouth has fully healed, we may recommend a dental crown to fully restore your tooth.
There’s nothing to be afraid of if you need a root canal! If you have dental pain, call Silver Leaf Dentistry today at 720-504-2539 for an appointment in Longmont, CO or request an appointment online.