The more you know about your dental treatment, the more it makes sense. Root canal therapy, for instance, is commonly mistaken for a much more invasive procedure than it actually is. Therefore, many people avoid the treatment to the detriment of their oral health. The truth, though, is that root canal therapy isn’t just necessary, it’s also much more conservative than you might believe, and can save you from needing more extensive smile restoration later.
Is it really necessary?
Root canal therapy is the process of removing infected tissues from the interior of a compromised tooth. The procedure is necessary to stop the infection from spreading through the tooth’s root canals and into the surrounding jawbone structure and periodontal tissues. It is also necessary to stop an abscess from forming and leading to severely increased discomfort.
Will the procedure hurt?
One of the biggest misconceptions about root canal therapy is that the procedure is uncomfortable, or will leave your tooth in even more pain. However, the point of root canal therapy is to alleviate pain, which is caused by the infection that has settled into the tooth. Modern root canal therapy is performed with advanced equipment and techniques, as well as local anesthesia and, in some cases, dental sedation. The treatment can usually be completed in a single procedure, also, so it won’t take a big chunk out of your already busy schedule.
Can I just extract the tooth?
In extreme cases, root canal therapy might not be enough and your dentist may need to extract the tooth. However, tooth extraction is not a preferable alternative to root canal therapy. Removing the tooth will remove the tooth infection from your mouth, but you’ll have to replace the tooth with a dental implant to prevent the extraction from negatively impacting the rest of your oral health.
