I'm Nervous About My Upcoming Root Canal

Though contemporary dental techniques and anesthetics make root canal therapy as painless as a filling, it’s still common to be nervous about the procedure, especially if it’s your first time. It’s easier when you know what to expect.

A root canal is not likely on your bucket list. Few dental procedures cause such universal dread. Though you will feel better after your root canal, the procedure often relieves the pain that brought you to the dentist. Fortunately, modern root canals are nothing to fear.

At Tropical Dental Care, our team of skilled dentists with three locations in Houston, Texas, are root canal specialists. They strive to make your experience as painless and comfortable as possible so that you leave the office feeling that your pre-appointment worries were groundless.

Understanding why a root canal is necessary and knowing what to expect during your procedure can go a long way toward easing your jitters. Here’s what you need to know to conquer your root canal anxiety.

Reasons for root canals

With over 6 billion bacteria in your mouth, some help your health while others can cause tooth damage. Tooth decay happens when mouth bacteria create acids that damage the enamel of your teeth.

Once the process starts, it can lead to small holes in the enamel called cavities, which bacteria can penetrate. Without treatment, infections develop inside the tooth, enlarging the cavity.

Postponing treatment can lead to significant tooth decay, damage, and tooth loss. Infections can spread to the face, neck, and other parts of the body, raising the risk of serious and even life-threatening illnesses.

Fortunately, a root canal can remove bacteria from an infected tooth.

During your appointments

Root canal therapy is a common procedure performed millions of times a year. In short, root canals can save your natural tooth. Any pain you experience before your appointment will be gone when you leave the office.

Contemporary root canal treatments are modern and painless due to the use of numbing agents and local anesthetics. Your procedure takes two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth.

Once the treatment area is numb, our team makes a small opening in the tooth to remove the infected pulp — the soft tissue inside your tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. An adult tooth remains viable without the pulp.

The inner canals of your tooth are scraped clean using special tools and antibiotics to ensure no infection remains. The canal is then filled with a biocompatible material, and the original opening receives a tooth-colored filling. You may receive a temporary filling, returning in a few days for additional cleaning, and a permanent filling or crown.

After your procedure

You can return to your daily routine after root canal treatment. You may experience some swelling, tenderness, or minor bleeding of the gums after your procedure. You can manage those symptoms with over-the-counter pain medication.

Whether you need root canal therapy or any other dental care, contact us at Tropical Dental Care online or over the phone.