You’ve likely heard the groans that the phrase “root canal” can elicit. But did you know that root canals are not only one of the most common dental procedures performed each year, but that they are also a pain-relieving treatment rather than a pain-inducing one? At Cannon Dental, Dr. David Cannon and our dental team use the latest methods and technologies to perform root canal treatment, getting you out of pain and back to your normal life.
What is a root canal?
Also called endodontic therapy, root canal treatment is used to save a natural tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted. While many patients may think that just extracting the tooth is easier in the long run, when you factor in the healing process and tooth replacement time and costs associated with an extraction, it is actually better for your oral health and your wallet to undergo root canal therapy.
Root canal therapy is often recommended when the pulp (the innermost contents of the tooth) is infected, which can occur under the following circumstances:
- Traumatic injury – in some cases, old injuries can crop up and cause pain decades later
- Decay that has penetrated through the outer layers of the tooth
- Cracks or chips in the teeth that have made the inner contents susceptible to decay and infection
- Multiple dental procedures have been performed on the same tooth
Many patients experience excruciating pain when a root canal is necessary, and may also have swelling in the tooth or jaw and temperature sensitivity.
What to expect
One of the first questions we get when we advise root canal treatment is, “Do root canals hurt?” If you are expecting the answer to be Yes, you might be surprised to find that most patients give an answer that is quite the opposite! We use the best dental anesthetics and gentle procedures to treat your tooth, and the procedure is designed to relieve the immense pain you are experiencing while saving your natural tooth.
First, we numb the area that will be treated for your comfort and provide you with nitrous oxide sedation as needed to keep you relaxed if you experience any dental anxieties. Then, we drill a small hole into the tooth so that Dr. Cannon can access the inner contents. After gently removing the pulp, nerve, and debris from the pulp chamber and sanitizing it, Dr. Cannon fills it with a rubber-like material and then seals the tooth off with a filling or a dental crown. Most people can drive themselves home and return to their normal day after treatment is complete.
If you are in the Salt Lake City, Bountiful, Holladay, West Valley, or surrounding UT communities and are suffering from tooth pain, don’t hesitate to call Cannon Dental. We can help you find relief! Our office can be reached at (801) 406-9985.
Root Canals - Educational Video
Root canal therapy is a very common procedure. It has a reputation of being undesirable and painful but when done properly it is actually painless. Every tooth in your mouth is composed of a crown and a root. When a cavity or bacteria penetrates the tooth the root and its nerves become irritated. As a result the bacteria within the pulp cavity needs to be removed and cleaned in order to restore the tooth to its healthy state. Following the procedure the tooth is fragile and consequently is restored with a natural crown for a lifetime of durability. Root canals have a success rate of 95 percent or greater. Most root canals are diagnosed by patient’s sensitivities to a specific tooth. Be sure to consult your dentist if any symptoms or discomfort occur.
