Will the treatment be painful?
We will take every measure to ensure that your procedure is in no way uncomfortable or painful. Today, with modern technology and better anesthetics, root canal treatments are no more painful than having a filling. If treatment is needed, we will inject a small amount of anesthesia to gently numb a concentrated area of your mouth. For most patients, the feeling of numbness usually subsides after 2-3 hours.
Is pulling the tooth better than having a root canal?
Keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible is very important for proper eating and chewing functions. There are several options available for missing teeth, such as dentures, partial dentures, dental implants and fixed dental bridges, however, these alternatives can be more expensive than saving your tooth with a root canal treatment.
Is the root removed during a root canal?
The root of the tooth is not removed. It is the pulp from inside the tooth that gets infected and needs to be removed.
How many visits does a root canal require?
With the technology available at our office, most root canals can be perfomed in one or two office visits.
Do crowns cause teeth to need root canals?
Many people believe that having a crown on a tooth means that the tooth will eventually need a root canal. Crowns do not cause the need for root canal therapy. If a crowned tooth does require a root canal, it could be that the tooth has abscessed or that decay has gotten underneath the crown and reached th pulp of the tooth.
Do root canals cause other illnesses?
There is no evidence to support that root canals cause illness. However, there is evidence to support the fact that people who have had root canals are no more at risk for developing illness than people who never had root canals.
Will the tooth need to come out eventually, even with a root canal?
If the tooth is properly restored, you maintain good oral hygiene, and you visit your dentist for regular checkups, your natural tooth could last for the rest of your life.
After having a root canal, is there anything else that needs to be done?
After having a root canal, it is extremely important to make a follow-up appointment with your dentist to have the tooth permanently restored. After the pulp of the tooth has been removed, the tooth can become brittle, and a permanent restoration can help protect your tooth from fracturing.
Will I need to return to your office for follow-ups after the procedure is finished?
Yes, for most root canal treatments, we recommend that patients return to the office 1 year after the procedure was finished. Our office will send a reminder notice to you when you are due for a recall appointment.