Did your dentist tell you that you need a root canal? Before you wince in fear, here us out. With today’s advanced techniques and anesthetic improvements, your root canal is really nothing to be afraid of or dread. Plus, if you need a root canal like your dentist says you do, you’re likely in some significant pain right now. A root canal is the quickest solution to eliminating your pain and saving your tooth.
Let’s first talk about your alternatives for root canal treatment. A root canal is designed to remove the infected pulp of a tooth that has become badly decayed or diseased. When this inner portion of the tooth suffers bacterial invasion, serious discomfort can occur because that is where the tooth nerves reside. Therefore, if you have a severely damaged or infected tooth, here are your options:
Do Nothing: If you opt to leave the tooth alone, you may regret your decision sooner rather than later. The tooth will not only continue to hurt, but your symptoms will likely escalate quickly and the life of your tooth may be at stake.
Remove the Tooth: Some patients think that extracting their infected tooth is the easiest and most affordable option. This is an unfortunate mistake. Even if the affected tooth is at the back of your mouth, it is never wise to remove a natural tooth when there are treatments that can save it. After the tooth is extracted, you’ll need to consider tooth replacement. And dental implants are far more costly and complicated than a root canal.
Root Canal Therapy: The final and best option to address an infected tooth is to let your dentist perform root canal treatment. During this procedure, the infected pulp will be carefully removed after the area is thoroughly numbed. Some patients even choose sedation dentistry to further relax. The tooth will be cleaned, filled and sealed for future protection. If the damage is severe enough, a dental crown may be needed to order to ensure the tooth doesn’t have problems in the future.
For more information on painless root canal therapy in Marietta, turn to Gilreath Family Dentistry.
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,
