What You Should Know About Root Canal Therapy

What You Should Know About Root Canal Therapy

If you have been told by your dentist in Sidney that you require root canal therapy, you may have a bit of fear and anxiety about the procedure. We can’t blame you; after all, there are many misconceptions about root canals, including that they are painful and scary. In this article, our team at Sidney Harbour Dental tells you the facts about root canal therapy so that you can feel more comfortable and educated about undergoing this tooth-saving procedure.

Here are five facts that you should know about root canal therapy near you:

#1 Root Canal Therapy is a Very Common Procedure

Dentists perform root canal therapy all around the world. Did you know that millions of root canals are performed each year that work to provide patients relief from dental pain?

#2 You Have Options When it Comes to Your Dental Professional

A dentist can perform root canal therapy near you, or an endodontist can perform it. An endodontist is a specialist that focuses on dental procedures that focus on the tooth’s pulp, such as root canal treatment.

#3 Root Canals Are Necessary, Tooth-Saving Procedures

If you have a tooth infection that has made its way down to the root of your tooth, then your dentist may recommend that you get root canal therapy in Sidney. If the infected tissue inside your tooth is not removed through a root canal, it will spread and lead to tooth loss and severe gum disease. It is always in your best interest to keep your natural teeth in your mouth for as long as possible, so your dentist will recommend a root canal as a way to save your tooth from extraction.

#4 The Root Canal Procedure is Straightforward and Painless

Root canal therapy repairs decayed or infected teeth. To begin, our dentist near you will inject local anesthesia in the affected area to numb it and ensure that you do not feel any pain or discomfort. The only moment of pain you will feel during the entire procedure is the injection administering this numbing agent. After this, our dentist will place a thin piece of rubber over the damaged tooth to isolate it from the rest of the mouth and ensure it remains sterile. They will then drill an access hole into the tooth to find and remove the damaged or infected pulp. Then, they will disinfect, shape, and clean the interior of your tooth before filling and sealing it with a rubber-like material.

#5 Recovery is Smooth

Following your root canal procedure, you may experience a small amount of discomfort that can be managed with ibuprofen or aspirin. You may also be provided with antibiotics to prevent reinfection. You will likely also be asked to return to your dental clinic in a few weeks for a checkup and so that a dentist can place a crown over the top of your tooth to provide it with extra strength and protection.

In Need of Root Canal Treatment?

Now that you know the facts about root canal therapy, you can rest assured knowing that this procedure is in the best interest of your oral and overall health. If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact our team at Sidney Harbour Dental. We are happy to assist you in protecting your oral health.