If you’ve been putting off treatment for your aching tooth because you’re afraid of being told you need a root canal, you’re certainly not alone.
In fact, one survey done by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) reported that more people fear getting a root canal than speaking in public or being trapped in an elevator.
Even though significant advances in dental technology and pain management strategies have been made, the fear surrounding root canals remains.
Undergoing root canal therapy gives you the best chance of eliminating pain from an infected tooth and saving your natural tooth from being extracted. Unfortunately, putting off this treatment puts you at risk for needing arduous and expensive procedures later.
So, our team, led by endodontist Robert Scott Nance, DDS, MS, PA, at our practices in Statesville and Hickory, North Carolina, wants to highlight some encouraging facts about root canals to ease your fears that may be keeping you from much-needed dental work.
The goal of a root canal is to relieve tooth pain and sensitivity caused by inflammation or infection inside your tooth’s inner pulp chamber.
Modern-day dental technology and the use of anesthesia ensure that you’re completely comfortable during the entire procedure.
While movies and TV shows might depict root canals as being excruciatingly painful, those are myths. You shouldn’t experience any pain at all during the procedure.
For a few days afterwards, you may have some mild to moderate discomfort and swelling, but it can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs.
Once the delicate nerves and blood vessels that make up the inner pulp chamber of your tooth have become inflamed or infected by harmful bacteria, they won’t heal on their own. As the infection worsens, so do the symptoms, which can include severe pain and dental abscesses.
If you don’t have your tooth treated with root canal therapy, the infection can kill the inside of your tooth and even spread to other parts of your body. Root canal therapy removes the damaged nerves and blood vessels, restoring the health and vitality of the affected tooth.
By delaying root canal therapy, the infection can get severe enough that the tooth can no longer be saved and needs to be extracted.
If you don’t get root canal therapy in time and end up needing your tooth extracted, your oral health is impacted. The loss of permanent teeth can lead to bone loss in your jaw, excess pressure on your surrounding teeth, and difficulties with speech and chewing.
Although there are plenty of treatment options for replacing a permanent tooth, crowns and bridges can’t function like natural teeth can, and you can still feel most of the effects of tooth loss.
By preserving your natural tooth with root canal therapy, you don’t have to worry about needing a tooth extraction.
You may hesitate to get a root canal if you’re worried about the procedure failing, causing you to need either a repeat procedure or even tooth extraction.
However, studies show that root canals are 97% effective, and they can last a lifetime as long as you practice good oral health habits.
If you’re experiencing severe tooth pain and sensitivity, don’t delay treatment. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Nance to have your tooth evaluated by calling your nearest office location today.
