Have you ever heard someone say, “It was worse than a root canal?” Most of us in Midland are used to hearing root canals compared some genuinely unpleasant circumstances, but Dr. Randell Bell would like set the record straight and talk about how root canals can do some serious dental good. As always, we are happy to answer any questions you may have, so please feel free to give Health Centered Dentistry a call.
Root Canals Save Teeth
Here it comes, the question on everyone’s mind – why on Earth would you want a root canal?! There is one thing all dentists in Midland and beyond will agree on – saving your natural teeth is always the best option. There are many ways that Dr. Bell can replace missing or damaged teeth, but nothing is as good as the real thing. If you have a tooth with inflamed or infected pulp, a root canal or an endodontic treatment can get rid of infection and save it. Thus, root canals are preferable to extraction. Here are some more advantages of endodontic treatment:
- Natural appearance
- Efficient chewing
- Tolerance of normal bite force and sensation
- Surrounding teeth are protected from extra wear and/or strain
Root Canals Get Rid of Pain
Perhaps if you had a root canal before modern techniques and anesthetics, it would live up to its reputation. That is not the case today, though, fortunately. In reality, if you have had a root canal, you are six times more likely to say that it was “painless” than those that have never experienced the procedure. The truth is, root canals actually get rid of pain by removing infected, damaged tissues. When Dr. Bell performs a root canal he cleans out the infection, sterilizes/disinfects the inside of the tooth, uses a rubber sealant to fill the gap, and then places a crown or filling on top to protect the tooth. Once it is done, the tooth functions just like its neighbors. Voila, your tooth is now healthy again!
At Health Centered Dentistry, we love changing people’s minds about root canals, so please give us a call to find out if you can benefit from this treatment. Maybe then you’ll start saying, “that was almost as pleasant as a root canal!”
Sources
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/root-canals
http://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/root-canals.aspx