The best way to overcome a dental phobia is to understand what you’re getting into. This is especially true of root canal procedures, according to the staff at Gleason Dental Clinic in Beatrice, NE. They want to explain what to expect to not only ease fears about root canal treatment but also to help patients better understand how the procedure works. If you or a loved one have a root canal treatment scheduled, read on to learn how to prepare and what to anticipate.

What Should I Expect During a Root Canal?

Root canal treatment is necessary when the sensitive inner pulp of a tooth becomes infected. This essentially renders it useless, and rather than removing the tooth, your dentist can perform a root canal to preserve the tooth. It’s much more cost-effective than extraction and dental implants and provides a long-term solution that doesn’t affect chewing or speech.

To reach this pulp, your dentist will begin the procedure by drilling through the tooth’s crown, much as they would with a cavity. You’ll be anesthetized during the process, and the most patients ever report feeling is pressure.

Once your dentist reaches the root canal chamber, they’ll remove the infected pulp and clean all of the various canals. In some cases, the infection may have already reached deeper into the tooth’s root or formed an abscess. Should this occur, your dentist may have to cut gum tissue and clean the tooth from the side rather than from the top.

Once all of the infection has been removed, your dentist will fill the pulp chamber to seal it off. Depending on the extent of your infection, this may occur the day of or up to a week later. Your dentist may also suggest putting a dental crown on top of the tooth for further protection.

If you’re in need of a root canal or just basic dental care, turn to the staff at Gleason Dental Clinic. They offer a variety of general and cosmetic dentistry services and are dedicated to helping patients maintain proper oral health. Call (402) 228-3119 today to schedule an appointment and visit their website and Facebook to learn more about their services.