A root canal is a dental procedure that involves removing infected pulp from the root of a tooth. A single appointment can remove the source of pain and effectively prevent further tooth damage. Unfortunately, patients tend to feel a lot of fear around this procedure due to misconceptions based on the past. The modern approach, however, is significantly more pleasant than many people expect. Here’s why you shouldn’t procrastinate if your dentist recommends it.

Why a Root Canal Isn’t Such a Big Deal

1. It’s a Straightforward Procedure

Root canals aren’t especially complicated; they involve drilling into the root of the tooth, removing the pulp, and sealing the hole. This is similar to the process of a filling but just a bit more time-consuming.

Patients can usually expect it to take a few hours, but it’s often completed during one appointment, and there’s no major preparation or recovery time involved. Dentists perform these procedures regularly, so it’s easy to have peace of mind going into your appointment.

2. Patients Receive Local Anesthesia 

Pain is one of the primary sources of anxiety surrounding root canals because the procedure can be painful if no anesthesia is used. This is how the procedure got its bad reputation in the first place; when it was performed without numbing or with insufficient anesthesia in the past, it could be unpleasant. However, the techniques that dentists use to numb the mouth today—most commonly a local anesthetic like procaine—are significantly more effective, so the procedure involves very little pain or discomfort.

3. They Relieve Ongoing Pain

If a tooth requires a root canal, it generally means the patient is dealing with ongoing pain from the infected pulp. The procedure is very effective at removing this source of pain, so once it’s complete, you’ll be much more comfortable. It also lessens the chances of needing to have the tooth removed completely, which can also be painful and may lead to other issues, such as the shifting of nearby teeth.

If you think you may benefit from a root canal, Nicholas J. Hurley D.D.S., P.A., can help. The experienced dentist serves patients throughout Thomasville, NC, and the surrounding communities, and the whole team takes pride in educating patients so that they can be proactive with their dental care. They also offer a full array of general and cosmetic dentistry options to cover the whole family’s dental needs. Visit the website for a full list of services or call (336) 476-1109 to make an appointment.