If you’ve ever winced at the sound of “Root Canal”, you definitely aren’t alone. The word just sounds scary, right?
Thanks to a mix of outdated information and outright fabrications, this procedure has gained a negative reputation that it just doesn’t deserve. Not only are root canals much less scary than you would think, but they mean the difference between pulling a tooth and saving your smile.
At New Hope Dental Care, it’s our mission to ensure that patients who walk through our doors, no doubt worried about what comes next, leave wondering why they were ever worried in the first place. If you’re looking for a dentist near Wake Forest, NC, then there’s no better option. We strive for every one of your experiences here to be smooth, comfortable, and dare we say it, refreshing.
What Root Canals Actually Do (and Why You Should Care)
When you get a crack or cavity in your tooth, over time an infection can build up inside. This aggravates the nerves inside your tooth, causing you unbearable amounts of pain. Worse, not only does it hurt, but that infection can get even worse, threatening not only your tooth but the rest of your body as well.
It’s important to understand that root canals are, first and foremost, about saving your smile. Instead of removing your infected tooth, which long ago was the only solution, a root canal drills out the infected pulp and removes the nerves.
A common misconception is that this kills the tooth when it doesn’t. While it does remove the ability to feel on that tooth, it is still completely alive and is now significantly healthier now that it’s cleaned. Think of it as a spring cleaning for your smile, giving you a fresh start that lets you keep your natural teeth.
Another common misconception that should be addressed is the idea that root canals cause pain. In fact, they relieve it. The pain and agony that some associate with the procedure is from the infection itself, not the treatment seeking to end it.
Why Do Root Canals Have Such a Bad Reputation?
Root canals have been stigmatized for a very long time. Over the course of many decades, countless myths have sprung up about it, many times exacerbated by cartoons, movies, and TV shows that exaggerate the procedure into some terrifying medieval torture operation. Let’s take a moment to debunk some of this misinformation.
Anesthesia Is Your Best Friend
A long time ago, there may have been some truth to the amount of pain these operations could cause, but this has long since been dealt with. Modern anesthesia techniques ensure that these operations are virtually pain-free, with the only pain you might experience being the prick of a needle. Many patients come out of the operation surprised at how uneventful the entire thing felt.
Outdated Horror Stories Stick Around
Speaking of long ago, that’s where most of the misinformation came from. It’s really not your fault that you’re worried, as dentistry didn’t always have access to the anesthetics that we can take for granted today. The root canal that your grandparents may have experienced is completely alien to how it is done today. Those people went on to create the fiction that would perpetuate the stereotype long after the procedure had been made painless.
Fear Amplifies Everything
Sometimes, our imagination can be our worst enemy. Fear can take what really is a simple procedure and turn it into a nightmare. At New Hope Dental Care, we make sure that our patients are comfortable and informed, every step of the way, so that there is no unknown to be afraid of.
The Root Canal Process: What Really Happens
If you’re still concerned about the procedure, let’s go through everything that will happen during the process. You’ll see that there’s nothing scary about it, and is actually much less intense than how it’s commonly depicted.
- Numbing the Area: First, depending on the situation, we will typically apply local anesthesia, meaning that we numb the area where the work will take place. You won’t feel a thing during the procedure apart from some light pressure.
- Cleaning Out the Infection: Using specialized tools, your dentist will carefully extract the infected pulp. This is what actually stops the pain, as the infected nerve is no longer present. The inside of the tooth is also cleaned to remove any chance of the infection returning.
- Sealing the tooth: Once all the work inside the tooth is complete, the operator will seal up the hole. Depending on your situation, you may also need a crown added to restore strength to your tooth and prevent it from cracking later down the line.
The Benefits of Choosing a Root Canal
Need more convincing on whether a root canal is worth it? Here’s why we think it’s the best option for a tooth in distress:
- You Keep your Natural Tooth: Losing a tooth means that you now have a gap in your smile. Depending on which one, it can affect your bite, the health of your jaw, and even how you sound to others. Getting a root canal means that you completely avoid these concerns.
- Pain Relief is Immediate: Once the work is done, the pain goes with it. While there will be some temporary lingering discomfort from the operation, it won’t even be close to what you were feeling before, and soon enough the whole incident will be a distant memory.
- It’s Cost-Effective in the Long Run: Getting a tooth pulled usually means that you’re going to want to replace it. Implants and bridges can be very expensive. Getting a root canal instead just plain saves you money.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Root canals just don’t deserve all the bad press they get. They don’t hurt, they don’t have to be scary, and most importantly, they’re reliable. They work. If you’re dealing with dental pain and you’ve been afraid of getting treatment, then it’s time to take control of your oral health and get the help you need.
As a trusted dentist near Wake Forest, NC, we have the expertise to be able to answer any questions you might have and alleviate any concerns. Don’t wait until the pain in your mouth becomes unbearable, we can help you take care of it as soon as possible.
Request an appointment today and discover how we can help you smile with confidence.