According to the American Association of Endodontists, approximately 15 million teeth are saved with a root canal each year. Are you worried one or more of your teeth might soon be one of them?

Our team at Cottonwood Dental wants to help take the fear out of needing a root canal, as many of the scary stories are more myth than fact.

Will I Need a Root Canal?

You do your best to keep your teeth clean on a daily basis. You brush at least twice a day, floss regularly, and make cleaning appointments every six months.

Yet sometimes bacteria still find a way to cause an infection in your tooth, which can lead to the need for a root canal.

Signs you may need a root canal can include:

• Chipped or cracked tooth
• Tooth discoloration
• Tooth sensitivity to heat and cold
• Tooth pain that isn’t going away
• Loose tooth
• Swollen jaw and/or gums

If you are experiencing any of these problems, make an appointment with our team to see what could be causing an issue and how it can be fixed.

If a root canal is needed, do not fear! We are here to help make the procedure go as easy as possible.

Need a Root Canal? Now What?

A root canal can usually take around an hour, on average. More complex cases may require longer. Before the root canal begins, dental X-rays will be taken to ensure a root canal is the best course of treatment.

During the procedure, you will be given local anesthesia to numb the area. The goal is to make you as comfortable as possible.

If you feel extremely anxious even after the local anesthesia, you may also be given an oral sedative or other medication to help you feel more relaxed during the procedure.

Next, a small opening is made in order to access and remove the pulp. Then, the root canal is cleaned to make sure the infection is cleared. Finally, the tooth is sealed to help avoid any other infection from setting in, and a crown is placed to make it look like nothing even happened.

Please note that sometimes a permanent crown will not be ready on the same day as the root canal. If this is the case, a temporary tooth will be used until your permanent crown has arrived.

After the root canal is complete, you can usually return to life as normal. You will likely need to eat soft foods for a few hours to a day, and you may be placed on an antibiotic for a few days to ensure the infection is gone.

Do you think your symptoms might be signs of a needed root canal? Make an appointment with the Cottonwood Dental team today for an evaluation.

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