Root Canal Treatment is a Painless Way to Save an Infected Tooth
For a long time, root canal treatments were looked upon rather negatively. These particular procedures had the reputation of being painful; to many people, they also meant something was very wrong with their tooth or teeth, since the majority of root canal treatments were customarily referred to a dental specialist, known as an endodontist.
While root canals should not be taken lightly, it is important to note that much has changed, to the positive, in terms of their reputation. In truth, dental anaesthesia has advanced to a point where dentists will now routinely do root canal treatments right in their office, and the procedure is essentially painless.
Despite these advances, our goal at Family Dental Care is to help you avoid root canal treatment if possible; this is one reason why we are strong advocates of preventative dental care. However, there will be times when a cavity forms deep enough to reach the nerve of the tooth, and the best treatment option to save that tooth would be a root canal.
When left untreated, a deep cavity will spread into the nerve of the tooth and could lead to complications such as:
- Persistent discomfort and pain
- Increasing sensitivity to hot food/drink
- Infection/abscess of the tooth
- Spread of infection to other teeth
- Spread of infection to the face and neck
- Need for complete extraction of the tooth
Root canal treatment can relieve the above conditions while helping to save the tooth and preserve your smile. This is another reason to schedule regular preventive check-ups; your dentist can detect any cavities before they become painful, thereby preventing the above conditions and averting the need for root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth.
Taking the Time to Help You Understand Root Canal Treatment
At Family Dental Care, we realize that you may have some questions about root canal treatment; we will be happy to invest the time to answer those questions to help you fully understand these procedures in terms of:
- Why a root canal is needed
- What are the benefits to you
- How long it will take to complete
- What to expect during treatment
- Post-treatment recovery/follow-up
If you are experiencing persistent pain in one or more of your teeth or had a tooth damaged as the result of an accident, call Family Dental Care today at 613-736-5000 or contact us to schedule an office visit as soon as possible. We will assess the extent of the damage and help you determine the best course of treatment, including the potential need for root canal therapy.