Many patients feel apprehensive and nervous when it comes to getting root canal therapy in Chilliwack due to the many misconceptions about this procedure being scary and painful. At Eagle Landing Dental, we understand the importance of patient education when it comes to dentistry. In this blog post, we answer some common questions about root canal therapy so you can have a clearer idea of what to expect during your procedure.
Does Root Canal Treatment Involve Removing Your Tooth Roots?
Many patients think that they will lose some or all of their tooth roots during their procedure. However, this is not the case. The roots of your teeth anchor them to the jawbone and provide them with support for biting and chewing. Our dentist near you only cleans the soft tissue from inside your roots during root canal treatment, leaving the roots themselves intact, so you won’t have to worry about your tooth being compromised.
When is Root Canal Therapy Required?
The most common reason a dentist will recommend root canal therapy near you is due to infection inside your tooth or severe pain due to an inflamed nerve. Patients who require root canal therapy often show signs of pain when chewing or a persistent toothache that interferes with their daily routine. Sometimes a fractured tooth may also need to be treated with root canal therapy.
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
This is likely the biggest misconception about root canal therapy. Root canal treatment works to alleviate pain, not cause it. Before your treatment, your dentist in Chilliwack will provide you with a local anesthetic to numb the area and ensure that you remain comfortable throughout your procedure. With any dental procedure, communication is important. If you notice sensitivity or pain during your root canal, tell your dentist so they can provide you with more anesthetic and adjust accordingly.
It is normal to experience some discomfort and tenderness following your treatment, but this will resolve within two to three days and can be controlled with anti-inflammatory pain medications such as ibuprofen.
Will Root Canal Treatment Cause Your Tooth to Darken?
Sometimes, teeth that are treated with root canal therapy can discolor as a result of a pulpal hemorrhage that occurs during the treatment. Discoloration can also happen in a tooth that requires root canal treatment following some kind of traumatic injury. These teeth discolor due to the impact sustained rather than the root canal treatment itself.
Luckily, your dentist can place a tooth-colored crown over your treated tooth to restore its strength and natural appearance, so even if your tooth darkens, no one will be able to tell.
Can Any Tooth Be Treated Using Root Canal Therapy?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. In certain cases, an infected or painful tooth may have a calcified nerve, which occurs when the soft tissue in the root canals hardens. In these circumstances, it may not be possible to perform root canal treatment, and the tooth will need to be extracted instead.
Visit Eagle Landing Dental
Now that you know more about root canal therapy, you may be interested in moving forward with your treatment. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our professional team at Eagle Landing Dental to learn more and book your appointment.