Why You Should Never Fear Root Canals

Contrary to popular assumption, root canals are nothing to fear. In fact, if you have been told you need a root canal, it is likely to save your tooth from a destructive infection and to bring you out of pain. Root canals are your friend, not your foe.

To make a root canal less intimidating, it helps to know exactly what goes on during the procedure and how it is going to benefit your smile. Put simply, a root canal is the removal of the tooth’s nerve supply, which is located in the pulp of the tooth. The pulp is also known as the tooth’s center, which is beneath the enamel layer and dentin layer.

During a root canal, the infected pulp of the tooth is removed. Next, medicines are used to sterilize the area and alleviate your pain. Finally, a filling material is used to replace the area that previously contained the infected nerve tissues. If the tooth was badly decayed or broken, it may need a dental crown after the root canal to restore and strengthen it. Rest assured that this process is carried out after you have been given a local anesthetic. You may even choose sedation dentistry for a more relaxed and pain-free experience.

Root canals are done to eradicate the infection before it causes further damage to the tooth and surrounding bone and tissues. The end result may be a tooth extraction. The center of a tooth can become infected from decay or an extensive tooth trauma. If you have the following symptoms, you may need a root canal:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Change in Tooth Color
• Tooth Sensitivity (to pressure or temperature)

At Avalon Dental Group, we are committed to protecting and restoring smiles using the highest quality materials and most advanced techniques. If you are in severe pain from an infected tooth, a root canal can save the day. Call now to learn about our painless root canal techniques.