For many people, “root canal” is a phrase that causes them to feel extremely anxious. Those with strong enough fears may even avoid the procedure altogether regardless of the risks to their oral health. However, the fact of the matter is that root canal therapy does not deserve its frightening reputation. Indeed, patients who have it performed are often proud to say they don’t regret it. If you’re worried about an upcoming root canal, here are 4 reasons why having it done is the right decision.
1. Root Canals Don’t Hurt as Much as You Might Think
The discomfort associated with root canal therapy is greatly exaggerated by the media. Most of the pain comes from the infection of the tooth that a root canal is meant to help treat. Your mouth will be numbed during the procedure, so in most cases it won’t hurt any more than having a cavity placed. You might experience some mild discomfort in the days after the procedure, but relief will follow once recovery is complete.
2. You’ll Be Able to Save Your Tooth
The longer you ignore a tooth infection, the more severe it will grow over time. Eventually, the tooth in question will be completely compromised, and your dentist will have no choice but to extract it to protect the rest of your mouth. But you can prevent things from ever getting to this point by having root canal therapy performed, ensuring that the infection is removed so that it can’t cause further harm to the tooth.
3. You’ll Prevent the Infection from Spreading
One thing that makes a tooth infection more dangerous than you might realize is that it can potentially spread. This can lead to facial swelling, nausea, fever, trouble breathing, headaches that don’t go away, and many other unpleasant symptoms. In extreme cases, a tooth infection could cause sepsis, an overreaction of the immune system that can put your life in danger. It’s best to stop the infection as early as you can with root canal therapy before it starts affecting the rest of your body.
4. Your Tooth Will Be Restored at the End of the Procedure
Once root canal therapy is complete, a crown is usually placed on the tooth that was treated. The lifelike materials used to make this crown will help it blend in with your other teeth so that you can still smile with confidence. Also, the restoration will strengthen the tooth, so you don’t have to worry about damaging it further when you use it for chewing.
Getting root canal therapy to stop your pain and keep your smile intact is a decision you can always be proud to make. As soon as you find out that you need root canal therapy, make sure to schedule the procedure as quickly as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Mohammad Golparvar went to the Boston University School of Dental Medicine, which is where he earned his dental doctorate. At Webster Dental Associates of Manchester, he works tirelessly to earn the trust of his patients while keeping their smiles safe. He’s able to treat infected teeth with root canal therapy. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Golparvar, visit his website or call (603) 669-4252.