Dental

Unfortunately you don’t have many options. A root canal needs to be performed when either the tooth is infected or the decay has traveled to the nerve of the tooth. At this point, the tooth cannot be restored any other way. The only alternative to a root canal is tooth extraction. Most dentists will try to save the tooth first before even thinking about extraction. It is important not to put off the treatment too long. Left untreated, the bacteria from the infected tooth can travel into the jaw causing severe pain in your jaw.

Getting a root canal is not as bad as the rumors would suggest. Your dentist can perform this major dental procedure himself or refer you to an endodontist. Having a general understanding of the procedure will help alleviate your fears. First the area around the infected tooth will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Your dentist will then drill into the crown of the tooth and down into the pulp chamber to remove all of the diseased pulp. A temporary crown is then placed and you will probably be sent home with a prescription for an antibiotic. In two weeks you will need to return to get your permanent crown placed. On your next visit, the temporary filling will be removed and the tooth canals will be filled with a rubber like material. The tooth will be finished off with a gold or porcelain crown.

Nowadays getting a root canal is no more painful than getting a cavity filled. Dental treatments do not have to be painful. The horror stories that people have heard began years ago when root canals and many other dental treatments were painful. Sometimes the entire procedure can be completed in one visit, depending on the severity. Some dentists even let you watch television while being treated.

If you still feel like you need a bit of help getting through the procedure, your dentist can provide you with nitrous oxide (laughing gas). This will help relax you and on some people it even helps numb the gums. For people who cannot get over their fear, many dentists also offer oral sedation. With oral sedation, you will take a pill that your dentist has prescribed prior to your visit. You will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. That person will need to stay with you for several hours after your appointment as well. The effect of the sedation is that you will feel as though you have slept through your appointment even though you were awake the whole time. Most people do not remember anything about their treatment the next day.

Once you have survived your first root canal, you will realize it wasn’t as bad as you thought. After your treatment is complete, it is important to keep up with regular dental checkup every six months to prevent any other unforeseen problems.