Despite being one of the most widely performed treatments in dentist offices around America, root canal therapy has a negative stigma. The procedure is usually seen as painful, incredibly invasive, and scary.
However, nothing could be further from the truth. While root canals are somewhat invasive, they’re the best solution for severe tooth decay. Root canal treatments can help save teeth and gums and relieve pain or toothaches from tooth decay.
Dr. Landon Libby at Libby Dental answers a few common questions.
What Is a Root Canal & Why Would I Need One?
Root canal therapy is used to treat advanced stages of tooth decay. Left untreated, tooth decay can affect the pulp at the root of your tooth. This pulp is filled with delicate nerves and blood vessels, so if it becomes infected, patients can experience significant pain and possibly tooth loss.
During a root canal procedure, the tooth is opened up using a dental drill, and infected nerve pulp is removed with specialized tools. The entire tooth is cleaned inside and out, and the interior of the tooth is refilled, usually using a material such as gutta percha.
Essentially, root canals remove infected pulp and replace it with an inactive material, eliminating the source of infection and preventing further pain and tooth loss.
What Are the Benefits of Root Canals?
When you have severe tooth decay that results in infected puple, choosing to undergo root canal therapy is usually a good choice. Here are a few reasons why:
- Root canals save teeth – Without treatment, your infected tooth will almost certainly die, and you could risk infecting the rest of your teeth and gums. Root canal therapy eliminates this risk entirely.
- Root canals reduce pain – An infected tooth can be unbearably painful. While you may not look forward to a root canal, the pain of the procedure is minimal compared to the pain of living with an infected tooth.
- Root canals are inexpensive – Replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant can cost $5,000 or more, and dental bridges can cost over $3,000. It typically costs less to save your existing tooth than to replace it.
Aren’t Root Canals Painful and Uncomfortable?
They’re not nearly as scary as popular culture suggests. The procedure is very straightforward, and Dr. Landon Libby uses advanced topical anesthetics, IV sedation, and minimally invasive techniques to reduce patient discomfort during the procedure.
During the root canal process, you may experience some discomfort, and soreness and swelling may occur for several days after. However, this pain is minimal compared to the pain and discomfort of an untreated, infected tooth.
Do You Think You May Need a Root Canal? Contact Libby Dental Now!
An infected tooth can be very dangerous, and quick action is required to ensure that you can save your tooth with the proper root canal therapy. If you believe that you may require a root canal, contact Dr. Landon Libby at Libby Dental today.
Dr. Libby has years of experience treating patients with routine root canal therapy. Our team specializes in providing you with all of the information you’ll need about your treatment and using modern techniques to minimize discomfort.
So, don’t be intimidated by the stigma surrounding root canals. If you suspect you may need root canal therapy, contact us today at (619) 276-6884 to schedule a consultation, or come to our office in San Diego: 2333 Camino del Rio S #310, San Diego, CA 92108.
