Why would anyone choose to get root canal therapy considering its reputation for being such a complicated and painful dental procedure?
Modern root canal therapy
That reputation that root canal therapy has for being complicated and painful? Well, be careful who you’re listening to. The truth is that today’s root canal therapy is a common, straightforward, and often pain-free procedure. Root canal treatment doesn’t cause pain; it eliminates pain and — just as importantly — serious tooth infection while saving teeth from being pulled unnecessarily.
One more thing. Those people who talk about the pain and complexity of root canal treatment — did they tell you that a root canal in Brandon can now be performed without drills, without vibrations, without sounds, and without pain? It’s true. Advanced root canal therapy can now be completed with lasers and without causing any pain.
What happens during a root canal?
Root canal dentists in Brandon painlessly open up your tooth, extract the infected pulp, clean the inside of your tooth and the infection-related material, and seal your tooth with a material called gutta-percha. A timely root canal followed by diligent aftercare and good oral hygiene habits will save your tooth and restore full function once that tooth is permanently filled or fitted with a crown. The goal of the root canal in Brandon is simple — to halt and remove the infection, to ease symptoms, and to save teeth from unnecessary extraction.
Why would anyone choose to get root canal therapy?
If toothaches prevent or interrupt sleep, you may need a root canal
Intense and throbbing pain that exceeds what you experience in a mundane and fleeting toothache and that is serious enough to prevent or to interrupt sleep may be caused by an infection of the pulp in your tooth.
If your tooth becomes discoloured
A serious infection in the pulp of a tooth can cause that tooth to lose its luster and to darken. If you notice that one tooth has darkened compared to adjacent teeth, you may require root canal therapy.
If you have persistent bad breath
If you have persistent halitosis despite abstaining from smoking and drinking and despite brushing and flossing twice daily, that bad breath may be attributable to infected pulp.
If your teeth are persistently sensitive
Occasional sensitivity to heat or cold is common. When the pulp of a tooth is infected, that infection can affect the nerves inside your tooth. Those changes can result in increased sensitivity to all of the heat, cold, and even sweetness.
If your lymph nodes are swollen
Your body’s lymph nodes contain immune cells that help to respond to infection by attacking germs carried into the lymph nodes by lymph fluid. Serious infections in your teeth can cause adjacent lymph nodes to become swollen.
If your gums are red and swollen
Swollen and reddened gums is a potential symptom of pulpitis that requires treatment through root canal therapy. Even if those reddened gums do not indicate the need for a root canal, it may suggest the presence of serious gum disease.
Root canal dentists understand that people would prefer to avoid root canal therapy if at all possible. We agree with that sentiment. But we also know how serious it can become if tooth infection is left unchecked. Root canal therapy at a dental office in Brandon can rescue teeth and gums from infection, and prevent you from undergoing unnecessary tooth extractions. If you are experiencing any symptoms of tooth decay or indicating the possible need for root canal therapy, reach out to a dental clinic near you without delay for their help.
