In popular culture, root canals have become synonymous with pain, distress, and lengthy procedures in the dentist's chair. In reality, however, root canals are common dental procedures that are nowhere close to the scary experiences movies and television would have you believe they are. Here are three reasons you should put your mind at ease.

Why Root Canals Aren't as Scary as You Think

1. You’ll Be Comfortable Throughout the Procedure

For most people, the primary concern about root canals—or any dental treatment, really—is pain. Before they begin the process of removing the infection inside your tooth, the dentist will thoroughly numb your mouth with a local anesthetic. This temporarily deadens the nerves, resulting in the most minimal discomfort possible.

The dentist will check in with you throughout the procedure; if you feel any distress, they’ll administer more of the local anesthetic. Some dentists also offer sedation options to make patients more relaxed.

2. Your Toothache Will Be Gone

If a person's toothache has reached the point that they need a root canal, they’ve likely been experiencing some significant pain already. This pain has probably made it difficult to eat, drink, and even speak.

Not only will you be pain-free throughout the root canal, but once the anesthetic wears off, the initial toothache will be gone, too. It's normal to feel some sensitivity in the area for the first couple of days, but the source of the problem will have been eliminated, and you’ll be well on your way to healing.

3. The Procedure Isn't as Complicated as You Might Assume

Actually, root canals aren't much different than fillings. During the treatment, the dentist drills a small hole in the tooth, remove the inflamed or infected pulp, then fill the tooth and seal the entry point. It's that simple. The whole process usually only takes around 90 minutes.

Your dentist will put your mind at ease about root canals. The compassionate and highly trained team at Lowitz & Meier has been treating patients throughout the Cincinnati, OH, area for over 30 years. They offer comprehensive family dentistry services, including exams, X-rays, fillings, crowns, dentures, and root canals. Schedule an appointment by calling (513) 521-8900 or visiting their website.