Nothing to Fear with Root Canals at Eagle Valley Family Dentistry
Somewhere along the way root canals got a really bad reputation, however, at Eagle Valley Family Dentistry, we’re here to tell you there is nothing to fear if you think may be in need of this procedure. Root canals actually save teeth instead of having them removed!
Millions of teeth are saved each year in the U.S. thanks for root canals. But what exactly is a root canal and how is it done?
Root Canals Explained
A root canal is considered an “endodontic” therapy. In Greek, “endo” means “inside” and “odont” means “tooth”. Viola! A root canal means you are receiving treatment inside your tooth.
Inside your tooth, there is soft tissue called pulp that contains blood vessels and nerves. The pulp starts at the base (or crown) of your tooth and goes all the way down to your root, that’s where they connect to other tissues in your mouth. Pulp is important because they help your tooth develop and grow.
When there is decay, the pulp gets exposed and infected. An adult tooth can survive without the pulp, so a root canal removes all the pulp so you can finally be pain-free.
The 3 Steps of a Root Canal
Root canals can take anywhere from 1-3 appointments at our Bellefonte office so we can implement the following three steps:
Remove the pulp: After using local anesthetic, we remove everything inside the infected tooth. This means removing all the pulp through a small hole we make in the tooth.
Fill the tooth: After removing the pulp, we then clean the inside of the tooth to make sure it’s clear of any infection. We then use a rubber-like material to fill the tooth and the roots.
Place a crown or filling: Since the tooth no longer has pulp, this means it will be weaker than before so it needs protection. This will require a crown or filling depending on your tooth.
But…Does it Hurt?
The pain from an infected tooth is actually much worse than getting a root canal!
We use a local anesthetic, so your tooth and the surrounding area will be numb the entire time. After the root canal, you may have some slight irritation, but you can take ibuprofen or any other pain reliever of your choice.
A root canal not only saves your tooth but also alleviates pain. If you are experiencing severe pain, there really is no reason to put off this procedure.
Please schedule an appointment at Eagle Valley Family Dentistry right in Bellefonte, PA so we can assess your situation and to help alleviate your pain. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at (814) 473-5554 or use the form below.