The Unknown Benefits of a Root Canal

The root canal has gained a fairly negative connotation with most people, but the treatment deserves a much better reputation than it has. The truth is, a root canal is a vital component of modern dentistry to help save teeth that would otherwise be destined for extraction. A root canal procedure offers more benefits than you might realize, and believe it or not, it doesn’t actually hurt!

What is a Root Canal?

A root canal is often necessary when a tooth becomes deeply infected and inflamed due to dental decay. Since the injured tissue cannot heal like normal tissue, the level of pain caused by such infection and inflammation is often excruciating. A root canal prevents further damage by removing the infected nerve and pulp out of the center of the tooth. Once that soft tissue is removed, a dentist cleans the space, fills it with a material called gutta percha, and seals the top so no other bacteria can enter.

Benefit #1: A Root Canal Eliminates Tooth Pain

Oral health is an incredibly important element of your overall wellness, but that doesn’t mean your teeth are in immaculate condition. If you have deep cavities or other conditions that have left you suffering from prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold foods and liquids, chronic pain, tenderness, and swelling, then you need a root canal to remove the decay inside of your tooth and save that tooth from dying. As soon as that rotting and decaying material is removed and your tooth is filled and sealed, you will benefit from much needed pain relief.

Benefit #2: Avoid Extraction, Keep Your Real Tooth

Despite modern technology, there is no substitute for a real tooth. By getting a root canal, you can save your existing tooth and prevent the need for it to be extracted. This allows you to not only escape pain but also maintain the natural appearance of your mouth for many years into the future.

Benefit #3: It’s Simple and Relatively Painless

Early root canal procedures were crude, to say the least, but we now live in a world of infinitely innovative technology. Such advancements have helped to make the root canal procedure simple and relatively painless. Anesthesia helps you feel comfortable and relaxed during the procedure itself, and the efficient technology used helps to minimize recovery time and swelling afterward. Rather than feeling more pain after your root canal, you will actually feel much less since your tooth pain will disappear!