If you want to become a specialist in a certain field, you must dive into learning more about it. For instance, if you want to work as a scientist, you must study math and science in deep detail. You must know equations, theories, and established principles inside and out. However, you can’t be an expert at everything! For the layperson, understanding some basic concepts is enough to equip you with what you need to have a healthier, more enriched life.
When it comes to root canal treatment, you don’t need to understand every term or tiny detail. That’s what your dentist is for, after all! But knowing at least these central facts about this procedure can help you approach the dentist without fear and without misinformation.
Fact #1: Root Canal Treatment Doesn’t Hurt Anymore.
Before anesthetic started to become commonly used, treating a badly damaged or infected tooth would often involve significant pain, but those days are long gone. Within just a couple of minutes of receiving the local anesthetic injection, that specific area of your mouth should feel numb.
In fact, this substance is so effective that you shouldn’t feel any discomfort while in the chair. Although many patients experience severe pain prior to the procedure, afterward, the nerve of your tooth will be gone, taking away the source of the problem.
Fact #2: Root Canal Treatment Saves Teeth from Extraction.
While you feel uncomfortable or stressed, you may not think as clearly as you normally would. For instance, in pain, removing the tooth entirely may seem like a better option than treating the tooth at all. However, natural teeth still reign supreme when it comes to quality, strength, and health. In fact, studies show that those who retain their natural teeth tend to have a longer lifespan than those who lose them. As a result, you should do everything you can to preserve your real teeth for as long as possible.
Fact #3: You Don’t Have to Be in Pain to Require Root Canal Treatment.
Although some sort of tooth pain is a common symptom of a problem that necessitates root canal treatment, it is not essential. This means that you can feel perfectly fine and still need to have a tooth treated. The most important indicator is that the nerve or pulp, which is the central layer of the tooth, becomes exposed and vulnerable to decay. If bacteria can access the pulp, the tooth will soon die, and these cavity-causing microscopic creatures can possibly cause infection elsewhere in the body with potentially fatal results.
After going through three years of dental school and continuing education since then, your dentist can act as your advocating expert on dental care. You certainly can ask clarifying questions, but as long as you understand these basics, you should have the knowledge needed to make smart choices concerning root canal treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Zhang owns and operates Zhang Dental Group of Tustin and has spent most of his life here in California. He attended the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dentistry and has continued to build his expertise in endodontics (root canals), laser dentistry, and orthodontics. If you experience a bad toothache or are told you need root canal treatment, count on Dr. Zhang and the rest of our team to save your smile! Contact us online or call us at 714-465-5589 to schedule an appointment.