Many people begin to have an anxious feeling when they hear the words root canal uttered from their dentist. Unfortunately, root canals get a bad reputation because people associate mass amounts of pain with the procedure. What should be known about root canals is that they save the natural tooth.
The root canal process is one doctors tend to go for instead of replacing a tooth, because it allows patients to keep their natural teeth. Root canals save the tooth from continuing to die, by having the dead and dying roots scraped out. With the use of advanced technology, now a day, dentists use machines to do a majority of the scraping and probing associated with root canals. In the past, the dentist had to do it all themselves, which took quite a bit of time. Now, with the use of a machine, the dentist can drill the hole in the tooth then let the machine to do the scraping. This helps to cut down on the amount of time for a root canal, as well as ensure that all the dead or dying pulp has been removed efficiently.
Of course dental procedures are always the patient’s choice, so if your dentist recommends a root canal you do have the authority to say no. However, if your dentist is offering a root canal as an option, you should be grateful that your tooth is able to be saved, and jump on the opportunity. This means you won’t have to undergo more severe procedures, like implants.
If you have a toothache or other signs and symptoms of abnormal discomfort, you should see your dentist. These may be the beginning signs of needing a root canal. It is always best practice to keep your dental hygiene up to par, and remember to brush and floss your teeth, routinely.
It is time to stop fearing the root canal. If you have a dying tooth, a root canal can save it. Your dentist will walk you through more details of the procedure, if need be. Set up a consultation to make sure you fix your pained tooth as soon as possible.