Root Canals

Why Root Canal Therapy Isn’t As Bad As You Think

Root canals can be the lifeline your teeth needs to survive

Why Root Canal Therapy Might Be Needed:

When Root Canal Therapy is the Solution:

Inside each one of your teeth is a chamber-like space containing nerves and the blood supply for your tooth. When the chamber becomes infected, the “pulp tissue” inside it must be removed from the center of the tooth, and the canals of each root. Once infected pulp is removed, the chamber is filled with a rubber-based material to seal it off.

Once the root canal procedure is completed, the tooth must be protected with a crown. Teeth that have undergone this procedure are more susceptible to fracture, which is why the crown is added as protection.

Advantages of Root Canal Therapy:

Rather than removing the tooth, it can be saved through Root Canal Therapy. Instead of having a missing tooth or a false tooth installed, you can keep your natural teeth.

Disadvantages of Root Canal Therapy:

Root Canal Therapy is the most effective rescue for an infected tooth. However, the procedure can be difficult. If any of the infection remains following removal, the procedure may need to be reversed and redone to reach the infection underneath.

Other Options:

The only alternative is to remove the infected tooth. When removing the tooth, a dental bridge will be needed to fill the empty space and prevent the shifting of surrounding teeth. However, this solution ultimately costs more than the root canal therapy, and without the root canal therapy, your teeth will never look the same. Other alternative is to remove the tooth and consider a dental implant, a bridge, a removal tooth or to leave the space empty.

Root Canal FAQs

Are root canals painful?

A root canal is not supposed to be painful. In fact, it is intended to relieve chronic tooth pain caused by a bacterial infection. Thanks to advances in dental technology, the infected tissue removal is not painful. Our experts are trained to minimize discomfort and make the experience easy and comfortable.

Can root canals lead to illness?

It is a myth that a root canal can cause serious and deadly diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig ’s disease (ALS), lupus and certain types of cancer. There is no evidence to suggest a link between root canal therapy and any life-threatening disease. On the contrary, a root canal will prevent further illness caused by infections and oral disease.

What is recovering from a root canal like?

After the root canal procedure, patients may feel a little groggy and sensitive. This feeling will subside significantly within the first 24-48 hours. Any sensitivity to cold air will be gone after your visit. Nevertheless, patients may experience very mild pressure a few days after they have had their procedure. Usually this feeling is manageable, but patients can take over-the-counter pain relief medicine such as ibuprofen or aspirin to help the inflammation.

Schedule An Appointment Today!

Irvine patients who have more questions about our root canal procedure can schedule a consultation to learn more details and see if they are the right candidate for treatment. Appointments can be made online or by calling our office at (949) 748-7373.