Root canals have received a bad reputation, especially through the media, television, and movies. While these procedures are often portrayed in a bad light they are not nearly as painful and difficult as many television shows would have you think. There are many health benefits to receiving a root canal that are just now coming to light. Below are several reasons why dental anxiety about root canal is going away and why you should consider getting one if you are experiencing intense pain due to a dead nerve in your tooth.
Root canals are simply a procedure that is enacted after the nerve of a tooth has died in order to save the outer tooth so that the original tooth can stay in its place without spreading infection or decay. The basic process is that the infected area of the inside of the tooth, the pulp, is removed. Then, the canals are cleaned, disinfected, and filled in. Finally, the second main portion of the procedure that is sometimes done in a separate visit to the dentist, involves a sealant known as a crown being placed on top so that the tooth can function normally. When it is explained in clear details it doesn’t seem quite so bad, does it?
1.Improved Technology and Procedures
People have enacted some form of a root canal procedure since ancient times, yet today it is more like getting an oversized filling than anything. Technology has significantly improved within the last century making the procedure much less painful and much easier than ever before. Anaesthesia has greatly improved in recent years, so that most people who have received a root canal treatment in recent years have reported very little or even no pain associated with their treatment. Pain is often the biggest reason why people squirm when they are told they may need to get a root canal. Yet because this is now no longer really an issue many people are now much more comfortable considering getting a root canal as opposed to other methods of dealing with a dead nerve. Root canals actually do a great job of relieving pain instead of causing it.
2.Eliminates Need for Extraction and Implant
Root canals are simpler than getting the tooth pulled and then replaced with an implant. Tooth extraction is a stressful process for your body. The general consensus among dentists is that whenever possible it is always better to keep the natural tooth in place. Keeping the natural tooth in place also helps to keep a natural looking smile, decrease the risk of infection, and have a more comfortable living experience.
3.Price Reduction
Root canal procedures have gotten less expensive as the procedure has become less complicated due to better technology. It is also remarkably less expensive than the alternative way to deal with a dead nerve in a tooth which is to extract it and replace it with an implant. For people struggling with a budget, a root canal may be the most cost-effective way to preserve the health of their teeth as much as possible.
4.No Illnesses
Previously, a myth had been perpetuated that receiving a root canal treatment left the patient susceptible to a number of different diseases throughout the body. Yet this myth has been disproved due to extensive research. In fact, it has actually been found that people may be more susceptible to additional health problems after a tooth extraction and implant replacement than a root canal.
Although it may be hard to look past the bad reputation that root canals have unfortunately garnered, it is imperative to consider all of your options when you are faced with what to do about a dead nerve in your tooth. Contrary to popular belief, root canals can actually be safer, cheaper, and less painful than the alternative option of having the tooth extracted and then replaced with an implant.
If you live in the Fremantle area and are considering whether or not you need to get a root canal, or you would just like more information on the subject then you should contact Fremantle Smiles Dental Care Centre. Our facility specializes in a variety of dental treatments, so we will be able to counsel you on the best course of action to take. Even though the thought of having to get a root canal may be scary it is important not to dismiss its legitimacy as a helpful tool in reducing tooth pain and preserving your natural teeth.