The phrase “Root Canal” strikes fear into the hearts of most people, and I’d like to take a moment to demystify what a root canal really is. An article from AAE.org says that “48.5 percent of survey respondents said they perceived a root canal treatment as ‘excruciatingly painful,’ and ranked the treatment just below a spinal tap in terms of discomfort.”
Root Canals Take Away Pain
So what causes a root canal? Here is a pretty comprehensive WebMD article that covers what causes a root canal if you want all the nitty gritty. The basic reason someone might need a root canal are deep decay, large fillings, cracked teeth, or infection of the dental pulp that causes pain. A lot of pain. The root canal is not the cause of the pain. A root canal involves removing the nerve from the roots. This causes the tooth to die, which kills the infection. If there is no infection, there is no more tooth pain.
We Have the Technology
Here at Bradford Family Dentistry, a root canal can be accomplished in one appointment. We have a CEREC machine that takes a 3-D scan of your tooth and creates a brand-new crown. No fussing with temporary crowns for a week while labs are sent out. We do it all right here! I hope this is has been helpful in taking away your fear of a root canal procedure. If you are experiencing any pain and have been putting off a trip to the dentist, don’t wait. Give us a call.
~Dr. Chai (a.k.a. Dr. Tooth!)
